Occupation · SOC 17-2112
Industrial Engineers
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
Median wage
$101,140
$70,000–$157,140
Projected growth
+11.0%
Faster than average
Annual openings
3,850
per year
Employed (US)
350,230
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
536 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingWritingMonitoringSystems Evaluation
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingMechanicalDesignEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareIndustrial control softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareObject or component oriented development softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM software
Representative tasks
Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expendiPlan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promoteAnalyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Production cost data — compile and organize under direct supervision to support management review of manufacturing expenditures.Operation sequences — document and follow established protocols for fabrication and assembly processes on the production floor.Statistical data sets — gather and sort using analytical software to assist in determining initial quality and reliability benchmarks.Engineering drawings — review for accuracy and flag discrepancies to a senior engineer in a manufacturing environment.Production specifications — read and interpret to assist in identifying basic capability gaps under close technical guidance.Client and vendor communications — participate in scheduled meetings and record notes to support project status tracking.Industrial control software — navigate and monitor standard outputs under supervision on an active production line.CAD and CAM software — perform routine data entry and minor drawing updates following established templates and standards.Personnel utilization reports — collect and summarize time-study observations to support improvement recommendation efforts.Engineering documentation — update records of production problems following structured templates under direct oversight.
developing
Production cost estimates — calculate and present using established cost models to support management decision-making in a mid-size manufacturing facility.Operation sequences — plan and adjust for standard fabrication and assembly tasks to improve throughput with limited supervision.Quality and reliability standards — analyze statistical process control data and product specifications to propose measurable objectives for finished goods.Vendor and staff conferences — lead routine coordination meetings to align on purchases, specifications, and production schedules.Production and design standards — draft and communicate proposed updates to management and user personnel in familiar process environments.Testing equipment accuracy — evaluate calibration records and engineering drawings to identify deviations and recommend corrective actions.Resource utilization recommendations — develop data-supported proposals for improving personnel allocation and material efficiency on the shop floor.Engineering drawing currency — oversee systematic recording of design revisions and production problem logs using enterprise application integration software.CAD-generated layouts — modify and validate facility or process flow diagrams to reflect approved engineering changes.Systems performance — monitor key production indicators using industrial control software and escalate anomalies through appropriate reporting channels.
proficient
Production cost modeling — develop and validate comprehensive cost-saving analyses, including impact of design changes, for executive review across multiple product lines.End-to-end operation sequences — design and optimize fabrication and assembly workflows autonomously to maximize throughput and minimize waste in complex manufacturing environments.Quality and reliability frameworks — determine statistically grounded standards by integrating product specifications, capability studies, and regulatory requirements across full product lifecycles.Cross-functional stakeholder conferences — lead structured discussions with clients, vendors, and senior management to resolve complex specification, capability, and procurement challenges.Design and production standards — author and enforce engineering standards through collaboration with management and end users, ensuring alignment with operational and safety requirements.Precision equipment evaluation — formulate and implement corrective action plans for production and testing equipment deficiencies identified through rigorous accuracy assessments.Workforce and material utilization — conduct systematic analyses using work measurement and methods engineering techniques to deliver actionable improvement recommendations.Engineering documentation governance — establish and maintain documentation control systems ensuring currency of drawings and traceability of production problem resolution.Expert system and CAM integration — configure and validate advanced manufacturing software to support non-routine process optimization across diverse production environments.Systems evaluation — assess interdependencies within production systems to identify failure modes and engineer robust countermeasures in high-complexity industrial settings.
advanced
Enterprise cost strategy — lead organization-wide initiatives to redesign cost estimation methodologies and drive capital efficiency improvements across all manufacturing business units.Production architecture — set the strategic sequence and resource allocation framework for large-scale fabrication and assembly operations, directing cross-functional engineering teams.Quality and reliability governance — establish organizational reliability objectives and quality management systems aligned with industry standards, regulatory bodies, and long-range business goals.Executive stakeholder alignment — orchestrate high-stakes negotiations and strategic conferences with C-suite leadership, major clients, and key vendors to shape manufacturing capability roadmaps.Engineering standards leadership — develop and champion enterprise-wide design and production standards that drive innovation, safety, and competitive differentiation across the organization.Corrective action program oversight — direct organization-level programs to assess and remediate systemic precision and accuracy failures in production equipment and engineering documentation.Organizational efficiency transformation — lead large-scale continuous improvement programs applying industrial engineering principles to optimize personnel, materials, and utilities at enterprise scale.Knowledge management systems — architect and govern engineering documentation and institutional knowledge platforms to support regulatory compliance and organizational learning across facilities.Technology adoption strategy — evaluate and sponsor deployment of emerging analytical, CAD, CAM, and expert system technologies to sustain competitive manufacturing capability.Engineering talent development — design mentorship programs, define career progression frameworks, and instruct next-generation industrial engineers in applied problem-solving and systems thinking.
Also known as
58 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Packaging EngineerIndustrial Engineering InternIndustrial Methods ConsultantQuality Control Engineer (QC Engineer)Tool PlannerSupplier Quality Engineer (SQE)Quality EngineerEngineerTime Study EngineerMethods EngineerFactory EngineerProject EngineerProduction Tool EngineerField EngineerDistrict Plant EngineerMaterial SchedulerPlant EngineerProduction Control PlannerEngineering InspectorEfficiency EngineerProcess Improvement ManagerProcess EngineerQuality Control EngineerMetrologistContinuous Improvement EngineerLiaison EngineerSupervisor, Metallurgical-and-Quality-Control-TestingEquipment InspectorTime-Study EngineerProduction Engineering Tooling CoordinatorFactory Lay Out EngineerConfiguration Management AnalystFacilities EngineerIndustrial EngineerManager, Quality ControlEfficiency ExpertQuality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer)Production Control ExpertResearch and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)Supervisor, Vendor Quality