Career Profile: Industrial Engineers

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 301,000 people employed as industrial engineers in the United States. The median annual salary is $95,300. Entry level employees earn approximately $60,850 per year and senior employees earn approximately $129,620 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility.
• Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, and production standards.
• Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities.
• Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations.
• Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements.
• Review production schedules, engineering specifications, orders, and related information to obtain knowledge of manufacturing methods, procedures, and activities.
• Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists.
• Coordinate and implement quality control objectives, activities, or procedures to resolve production problems, maximize product reliability, or minimize costs.
• Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
• Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
• Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
• Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
• Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
• Develop manufacturing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization.
• Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
• Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
• Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
• Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.

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