- Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems.
- Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.
- Many engineers develop new products. During the process, they consider several factors. For example, in developing an industrial robot, engineers specify the functional requirements precisely; design and test the robot's components; integrate the components to produce the final design; and evaluate the design's overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This process applies to the development of many different products, such as chemicals, computers, power-plants, helicopters, and toys.
- In addition to their involvement in design and development, many engineers work in testing, production, or maintenance.
- These engineers supervise production in factories, determine the causes of a component’s failure, and test manufactured products to maintain quality.
- They also estimate the time and cost required to complete projects.
- Supervisory engineers are responsible for major components or entire projects.
- Engineers use computers extensively to produce and analyze designs; to simulate and test how a machine, structure, or system operates; to generate specifications for parts; to monitor the quality of products; and to control the efficiency of processes.
- Nanotechnology, which involves the creation of high-performance materials and components by integrating atoms and molecules, also is introducing entirely new principles to the design process.
- Most engineers specialize; one of which is Industrial engineer.
- Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways to use the basic factors of production—people, machines, materials, information, and energy—to make a product or provide a service.
- They are concerned primarily with increasing productivity through the management of people, methods of business organization, and technology.
- To maximize efficiency, industrial engineers study product requirements carefully and then design manufacturing and information systems to meet those requirements with the help of mathematical methods and models.
- They develop management control systems to aid in financial planning and cost analysis, and they design production planning and control systems to coordinate activities and ensure product quality.
- They also design or improve systems for the physical distribution of goods and services and determine the most efficient plant locations.
- Industrial engineers develop wage and salary administration systems and job evaluation programs.
- Many industrial engineers move into management positions because the work is closely related to the work of managers.
- It is important for engineers, as it is for workers in other technical and scientific occupations, to continue their education throughout their careers, because much of their value to their employer depends on their knowledge of the latest technology.
- Engineers in high-technology areas, such as biotechnology or information technology, may find that their technical knowledge will become outdated rapidly.
- By keeping current in their field, engineers will be able to deliver the best solutions and greatest value to their employers.
- Engineers who have not kept current in their field may find themselves at a disadvantage when seeking promotions or during layoffs.
- As firms look for new ways to reduce costs and raise productivity, they increasingly will turn to industrial engineers to develop more efficient processes and reduce costs, delays, and waste.
- This focus should lead to job growth for these engineers, even in some manufacturing industries with declining employment overall.
- Because their work is similar to that done in management occupations, many industrial engineers leave the occupation to become managers.
- Numerous openings will be created by the need to replace industrial engineers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Engineers apply the principles of natural science and mathematics in their work. Other workers who use scientific and mathematical principles include the following:
- Agricultural and Food Scientists
- Architects
- Atmospheric Scientists
- Biological scientists
- Chemists and materials scientists
- Computer and information systems manager
- Computer scientists
- Computer software engineers and computer programmers
- Drafter
- Engineering and natural sciences managers
- Engineering technicians
- Environment scientists and specialists
- Geoscientists and hydrologists
- Mathematicians
- Physicists and astronomers
- Sales engineers
- Science technicians
- Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.