Industrial Engineer

Introduction
Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering which deals with the
optimization of complex processes or systems. Industrial engineers work to eliminate
waste of time, money, materials, man-hours, machine time, energy and other
resources that do not generate value
According to the Institute of Industrial Engineers, they figure out how to do things
better. They engineer processes and systems that improve quality and productivity.
As they work to improve processes on a technical point of view, but also to
optimise the efficiency and profitability of businesses, many practitioners say that an
industrial engineering education offers the best of both worlds: an education in both
engineering and business.
Industrial engineering is concerned with the development, improvement, and
implementation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information,
equipment, energy, materials, analysis and synthesis, as well as the mathematical,
physical and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering
design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems
or processes.
Type of occupation
Industrial engineers use their knowledge and skills to improve systematic
processes through the use of statistical analysis, interpersonal communication,
design, planning, quality control, operations management, computer simulation, and
problem solving
As systems integrators, industrial engineers analyze and design facilities
(buildings, rooms, equipment, infrastructures, etc.), material handling systems,
manufacturing and production systems, information systems and individual and
group workplaces. In the operations realm, Is analyze, design, and manage
manufacturing and service processes, production systems planning and control,
resource allocation and scheduling, personnel assignment and scheduling, quality
assurance, inventory control and system and personnel safety.
Description of their routine
Industrial engineers typically do the following:

Review production schedules, engineering specifications, process flows, and other

information to understand methods and activities in manufacturing and services

Figure out how to manufacture parts or products, or deliver services, with maximum

efficiency
Develop management control systems to make financial planning and cost analysis

more efficient
Enact quality control procedures to resolve production problems or minimize costs
Work with customers and management to develop standards for design and

production
Design control systems to coordinate activities and production planning to ensure

that products meet quality standards

Confer with clients about product specifications, vendors about purchases,
management personnel about manufacturing capabilities, and staff about the status
of projects
Evaluating how well people do their jobs paying workers.
To find ways to reduce waste and improve performance, industrial engineers first
study product requirements carefully. Then they use mathematical methods and
models to design manufacturing and information systems to meet those
requirements most efficiently.

IMPORTANT QUALITIES
Creativity. Industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production
processes in many kinds of settings to reduce use of material resources, time, or
labor while accomplishing the same goal.
Critical-thinking skills. Industrial engineers create new systems to solve problems
related to waste and inefficiency. Solving these problems requires logic and roaches
to the problems.
Listening skills. These engineers often operate in teams, but they must also solicit
feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff. They must listen to
customers and clients to fully grasp ideas and problems the first time.
Math skills. Industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and
other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in
their work.

Problem-solving skills. In designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for

providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers
safety to quality assurance.
Speaking skills. Industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to
production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available.
Being able to explain concepts clearly and quickly is crucial to preventing costly
mistakes and loss of time.
Writing skills. Industrial engineers must create documentation for other
professionals or for future reference. The documentation must be coherent and
explain their thinking clearly so that other
s can understand the information.
Job Outlook
Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2012
to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. This occupation is versatile
both in the nature of the work it does and in the industries in which its expertise can
be put to use. In addition, because industrial engineers work can help with cost
control by increasing efficiency, these engineers are attractive to employers in most
industries, including nonprofits.
Because they are not as specialized as other engineers, industrial engineers
are employed in a wide range of industries, including major manufacturing industries,
hospitals, consulting and engineering services, and research and development firms.
This versatility arises from the fact that these engineers expertise focuses on
reducing internal costs, making their work valuable for many industries. For example,
their work is important for manufacturing industries considering relocation to
domestic sites. In addition, growth in healthcare and changes in how care is
delivered will create demand for industrial engineers. Firms in a variety of industries
are seeking new ways to contain costs and improve efficiency, leading to more
demand for these workers.

Salary
The average salary for an Industrial Engineer is $63,509 per year. People in this job
generally don't have more than 20 years' experience.

Advantages or Disadvantages
Very broad field where you can work in any industry and in various fields
You can work as a Civil or Mechanical Engineer since first 2.5 years of courses are
the same.
You become an engineering/operations/manufacturing Manager or Lead much faster
than any other engineering major, which means you eventually become the boss of
other engineers.
Job is challenging, but fun. You can use your creativity in problem solving. It is
different every day. Nothing is too repetative.
Within a job, your tasks would be broad. In one job, you can work in safety
improvement, ergonomics improvement, making the plant more environmentally
friendly, process improvement, preventative maintenance, improving layout/designs
of assembly lines, designing new tooling fixtures in CAD and work with
machining/welding department to make the fixture, improving reliability or quality of
products, etc.
Con's:
Certain skills are needed. You need to be a good leader to be successful. Creativity
will help big time.
It is hard implementing any type of Change within a company or process because
those who have been working there for 20+ years don't feel the need to change.
Occupational Risk
Psychosocial risk: too much what to do, time pressure and flow of repetitive work.
Conflict of roles. Everyone has allocated several roles at the same time. We are the
top ones and subordinates of others work.
Mechanical risks: Struck by objects in motion, crushing, entrapments, exposure to
cuts, electrical contact.
Chemical dusts :vapors, fumes, exposure risks to dangerous liquid and solids.