Occupation · SOC 17-3026
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
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.
Median wage
$64,790
$46,370–$97,670
Projected growth
+1.7%
Slower than average
Annual openings
130
per year
Employed (US)
73,410
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
874 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringSpeakingSystems AnalysisSystems Evaluation
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingMathematicsDesign
Technology & tools
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareIndustrial control softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareDevelopment environment software
Representative tasks
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristicsCompile 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 es
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Product samples at designated checkpoints — test for basic performance characteristics under direct supervision on a manufacturing floor.Specification sheets and worker logs — read and compare against quality assurance standards with guidance from a senior technician.Statistical data from production runs — collect and enter into analytical software following established templates in a manufacturing environment.Equipment operation practices — observe and document worker performance against posted quality assurance checklists during supervised floor walks.Time-and-motion study procedures — assist in recording task durations and cycle times at assigned workstations under technician direction.Basic CAD drawings and process diagrams — interpret to locate measurement points and verify part dimensions on a production line.Production schedule reports — review to identify assigned tasks and flag anticipated delays to a supervising engineer.Standard hand tools and measuring instruments — use to perform dimensional checks on finished components following written work instructions.Industrial control software interfaces — navigate under supervision to retrieve real-time production data in a light-manufacturing setting.Quality discrepancy findings — communicate verbally and in brief written notes to the immediate supervisor at end of each shift.
developing
Statistical quality data from multiple production shifts — compile, analyze, and summarize trends using analytical software with minimal oversight in a mid-size facility.Worker performance logs and processing sheets — review routinely and flag non-conformances to quality assurance specifications before product advances to the next stage.Time-and-motion observations — conduct independently across familiar workstations and calculate standard production rates using established industrial engineering methods.Equipment maintenance and operation records — verify compliance with quality standards by performing regular scheduled audits on the production floor.Work assignment plans — support supervisors by analyzing machine capacity data and worker output metrics to recommend task distributions for upcoming production runs.Materials requirements planning software — use to cross-reference inventory levels with production schedules and identify supply constraints in a manufacturing environment.Product test results — evaluate against specification tolerances and prepare clear written reports for engineering review using standard departmental templates.Efficiency improvement opportunities — identify by comparing observed cycle times with established benchmarks and propose corrective actions to the engineering team.CAD and CAM software — use to retrieve and mark up process drawings that support layout changes or tooling updates on the shop floor.Technical findings and quality metrics — present in team meetings using clear, organized verbal explanations tailored to production supervisors and peers.
proficient
Full-scope product testing programs — design and execute independently across all specified production stages to validate performance and adherence to engineering specifications.Complex statistical datasets from ongoing production — analyze using advanced analytical software to determine root causes of quality or reliability failures in a high-volume facility.Non-routine efficiency problems — resolve by applying systems analysis and operations analysis techniques to redesign work methods or rebalance production lines.Quality assurance audits — lead across multiple departments, reconciling worker logs, specification sheets, and equipment records to ensure systemic compliance.Standard production rates — establish or revise by conducting rigorous time-and-motion studies and applying inductive reasoning to account for variable operating conditions.Work assignment schedules — develop autonomously by integrating machine capacity constraints, worker skill levels, and fluctuating production demands in a dynamic manufacturing environment.Industrial control and MRP software — configure and interrogate to model production scenarios and support data-driven process improvement decisions.Cross-functional quality concerns — diagnose and communicate through well-structured technical reports and presentations delivered to engineering, operations, and management stakeholders.New measurement or testing technology — evaluate for fit with existing production systems and recommend adoption based on cost-benefit and capability analysis.Junior technicians and apprentices — guide through hands-on coaching on quality testing procedures, data interpretation, and equipment use on the production floor.
advanced
Organization-wide quality and reliability strategy — develop and champion by synthesizing production data, industry standards, and engineering best practices across a multi-line manufacturing enterprise.Industrial engineering technician teams — lead and mentor, setting performance expectations, structuring development plans, and cultivating a culture of precision and continuous improvement.Enterprise-level efficiency initiatives — direct by applying systems evaluation methods to identify systemic waste, redesign workflows, and quantify productivity gains across facilities.Capital investment decisions for production technology — inform by authoring rigorous feasibility analyses that integrate CAD/CAM capabilities, equipment ROI, and process compatibility data.Standardized work measurement and quality assurance frameworks — author and implement at organizational scale, ensuring consistency across departments, shifts, and plant locations.Production planning governance — establish by designing capacity allocation models and scheduling policies that align engineering capacity with long-range business objectives.Cross-departmental quality non-conformance patterns — investigate at root-cause level and drive corrective action programs that integrate operations, engineering, and supply chain stakeholders.Emerging analytical and industrial control technologies — evaluate, pilot, and integrate into existing production ecosystems, translating technology design concepts into operational advantage.Technical documentation and quality reporting standards — define for the organization, ensuring written outputs meet regulatory, customer, and internal audit requirements.Organizational learning in industrial engineering practice — foster by designing training curricula, leading knowledge-transfer sessions, and institutionalizing lessons learned from production improvements.
Also known as
114 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Production TechnologistQuality Control AnalystProduction Control ExpertManufacturing Process TechnicianCellophane TesterBusiness Process AnalystTime Study ObserverManufacturing Engineering Technician3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician)Manufacturing EngineerSemiconductor Processing Equipment Production TechnicianProcess Documentation and Methods AnalystLean Six Sigma SpecialistIndustrial TechnologistLean Six Sigma Black BeltFinal Operations TechnicianEngineering SpecialistTime Study TechnologistProcess OperatorField Service EngineerScientistSolar Hot Water Heater Manufacturing TechnicianOperations SpecialistMotion Study EngineerManufacturing SpecialistProduction TechnicianSchedulerQuality Control SpecialistIndustrial TechnicianIndustrial Engineering TechnologistEfficiency AnalystService TechnicianQuality ControllerTime Study AnalystProduction ExpertCloth TesterIndustrial Maintenance Technician (Industrial Maintenance Tech)Methods Study AnalystOperations TechnicianWoolen Tester