Industrial Engineer

What an Industrial Engineer Does

Industrial engineers are constantly on a mission to find the most productive materials, systems and people to design and create a new product. They collect data and formulate reports to critique a company's entire system: its operations, employees, technology, materials and equipment, and current standards for efficiency, and then tweak each system so that everything runs more productively and ensures a greater product. Safety, cost analysis, project management, design and forecasting are all part of an industrial engineer's job, so this occupation is best suited for those who are able to manage all kinds of tasks at once. Being able to manage other people and projects is important, and many industrial engineers also work as consultants or project managers. While they work in offices and with sophisticated computer software programs, they also make site visits to collect data and study factories, plants, and other industrial sites.

How to Become an Industrial Engineer

You will need a bachelor's degree in engineering to become an industrial engineer. Make sure that your school or program is accredited by the he ABET, or Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and if an entire program in industrial engineering isn't offered at the undergraduate level, choose to major in a general engineering program. Taking courses in project management, statistics, mathematics and related subjects will greatly help you in your job search and in your career. Continuing education is also beneficial to engineers who need to stay current on the latest technology systems and operations systems and trends, so look into certificates and training options even after you have found a job. Depending on your employer, you may need to become licensed. First, you will take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and then after enough work experience, you can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. After becoming a Professional Engineer (PE) you can become a contractor and also be certified to work directly with the public.

Career Outlook for Industrial Engineers

Industrial engineers accounted for the third biggest sub-group of engineers in 2008, holding about 214,800 jobs, out of 1.6 million engineering jobs. The overall job outlook for engineers is good, and industrial engineers in particular can expect to see a 14% increase in job growth through 2018 at least. This jump is due to the need for factories and companies to reduce costs and streamline operations, as well as the replacement of industrial engineers who become managers. About 33,200 new jobs will be created for industrial engineers, including health and safety engineers. The median annual salary for industrial engineers in 2008 was $$73,820, with the middle 50% earning between $59,120 and $91,020, although the highest 10% earned over $107,000. The average starting salary for a bachelor's degree-holding industrial engineer in July 2009 was $58,358, estimates the Bureau of Labor Statistics.