Industrial Engineering Technologist or Technician

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

On the job, you would:

Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work.

Communication skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors.

Critical-thinking skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must identify and correct weaknesses to help industrial engineers solve problems.

Detail oriented. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe.

Math skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies.

Observational skills. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		84%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		84%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		83%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		79%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		77%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		77%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		76%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		75%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		73%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		72%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		72%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		70%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		70%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		69%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		59%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		53%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		89%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		67%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
		67%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		72%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		61%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		56%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
		53%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		75%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		75%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		69%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		63%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		60%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		60%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		56%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		56%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		56%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		56%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		56%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		56%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
		53%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		53%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		53%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
		53%	Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		57%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		57%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		55%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		55%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		55%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		55%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		54%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		54%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		54%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		54%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		54%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		52%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Monitor processes for compliance with standards.

Test products for functionality or quality.

Inspect operational processes.

Monitor activities affecting environmental quality.

Estimate operational costs.

Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

Create physical models or prototypes.

Develop technical methods or processes.

Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.

Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.

Prepare drawings or diagrams of products or services.

Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.

Design structures or facilities.

Design industrial processing systems.

Implement design or process improvements.

Develop technical methods or processes.

Design industrial processing systems.

Design industrial equipment.

Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.

Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.

Direct quality control activities.

Direct industrial production activities.

Create graphical representations of industrial production systems.

Prepare operational reports.

Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

Select project materials.

Determine operational methods.

Select project materials.

Operate industrial equipment.

Research human performance or health factors related to engineering or design activities.

Prepare detailed work plans.

Monitor processes for compliance with standards.

Assess product or process usefulness.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		98%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		93%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		92%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		91%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		90%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		88%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		88%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		83%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		82%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		80%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		79%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		79%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		75%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		74%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		73%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		68%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		67%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		63%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		62%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		61%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		57%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		53%	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
		53%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		52%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		52%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		52%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		52%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		91%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		79%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		76%	Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
		75%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		73%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		72%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		72%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		71%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		69%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		68%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		66%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		63%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		62%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		62%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		61%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		60%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		59%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		59%	Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
		58%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		58%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		55%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		55%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		54%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		52%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
		52%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		52%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		52%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

What Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians Do

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians interpret schematic diagrams and formulas.

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production. They prepare machinery and equipment plans, design workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.

Duties

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians typically do the following:

Suggest revisions to operation methods, material handling, or equipment layout
Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, and formulas
Confer with management or engineering staff on quality and reliability standards
Help plan work assignments, considering factors such as machine capabilities and production schedules
Prepare charts, diagrams, and other graphs to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, how materials are handled, and how machines are used
Collect data to assist in process improvement activities

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians study the time and steps workers take to do a task (time and motion studies). To set reasonable production rates, they analyze operations such as maintenance, production, and service.

The work of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is versatile and applicable to a variety of projects. For example, in supply chain management, they help businesses minimize inventory costs; in quality assurance, they help with customer satisfaction; and in project management, they help to control costs and maximize efficiencies.

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians generally work on teams under the supervision of industrial engineers.

Manufacturing engineering technologists and technicians work to raise production quality and profitability. By planning, testing, and custom making industrial products, they help engineers improve manufacturing processes and output. They may assess prototypes, analyze machinery performance, or try new production methods.

Work Environment

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians held about 69,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of industrial engineering technologists and technicians were as follows:

Computer and electronic product manufacturing	17%
Transportation equipment manufacturing	12
Professional, scientific, and technical services	11
Chemical manufacturing	8
Machinery manufacturing	8

Industrial engineers usually ask industrial engineering technologists and technicians to help carry out studies and draw conclusions. Consequently, these technologists and technicians typically work at the location where products are manufactured or services are provided.

Work Schedules

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians usually work a standard schedule. Most work full time.

Getting Started

Education:

37%

Some College Courses

26%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

How to Become an Industrial Engineering Technologist or Technician

Becoming an industrial engineering technologist or technician usually requires either an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation.

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation. Community colleges and technical institutes generally offer associate’s degree programs, and vocational–technical schools offer certificate programs.

Education

High school students interested in becoming industrial engineering technologists and technicians should take courses in math, science, and drafting, where available.

Postsecondary programs in industrial engineering technology are offered at vocational–technical schools, technical institutes, and community colleges. Vocational–technical schools typically award a certificate. Community colleges programs usually lead to associate’s degrees.

Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed an engineering or engineering technology program accredited by ABET.

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians may choose to major in applied science, industrial technology, or industrial engineering technology. These programs may include instruction in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing software, known as CAD/CAM.

Job Outlook

Employment of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 6,500 openings for industrial engineering technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

An emphasis on cost control through increased efficiency, along with industrial engineering technologists and technicians' role in assisting with automation, is expected to sustain demand for these workers.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about industrial engineering, visit

Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers

For more information about manufacturing engineering, visit

Society of Manufacturing Engineers

For information on general engineering education and career resources, visit

American Society for Engineering Education

For more information about accredited programs, visit

ABET

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of industrial engineering technologists and technicians.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Cost Estimators	Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to make a product or provide a service.	Bachelor's degree	$71,200
Health and Safety Engineers	Health and safety engineers combine knowledge of engineering and of health and safety to develop procedures and design systems to protect people from illness and injury and property from damage.	Bachelor's degree	$100,660
Industrial Engineers	Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	Bachelor's degree	$96,350
Logisticians	Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain.	Bachelor's degree	$77,520
Quality Control Inspectors	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	High school diploma or equivalent	$43,900

Industrial Engineering Technologist or Technician

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment