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Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician

Overview and Key Facts

Female engineer in manufacturing factory
Education
Education
Associate's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$64,790
Job Growth
Job Growth
1.70%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
75,900

What Do They Do?

An industrial engineering technologist and technician could...

 
manufacturing factory worker
Help a company make more of your favorite drinks faster by studying a production line to find ways to improve efficiency.
pile of legos
Improve speed of manufacturing so a toy is ready for a holiday rush.
electric car powered by lithium ion batteries
Support engineering products that help speed production of lithium ion batteries used in automobiles.
lineup of pies in manufacturing
Monitor and repair equipment on a production line to reduce the number of defective pies.
 
manufacturing factory worker pile of legos electric car powered by lithium ion batteries lineup of pies in manufacturing

Overview Listen to this section

Industrial engineering technicians and technologists work in a lot of different places. They work side by side with engineers to set up and fix processes and machines. Do you like to work with puzzles? If so, you could apply problem solving skills to helping companies improve the way they make products or serve customers. Whether you'd like to work in a factory, office, repair shop or healthcare organization, there is a place for you as an Industrial Engineering Technician or Technologist.

This career video provides day in the life information about an Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhVZTN1pZys

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Critical Thinking: ?
  4. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  5. Monitoring: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician might do:
  • Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
  • Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
  • Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
  • Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
  • Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
  • Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
  • Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
  • Analyze, estimate, or report production costs.
  • Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures.
  • Calibrate or adjust equipment to ensure quality production, using tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, or ring gauges.
  • Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
  • Coordinate equipment purchases, installations, or transfers.
  • Create or interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, formulas, or blueprints for management or engineering staff.
  • Design plant layouts or production facilities.
  • Develop manufacturing infrastructure to integrate or deploy new manufacturing processes.
  • Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.
  • Develop production, inventory, or quality assurance programs.
  • Develop sustainable manufacturing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize raw material use, replace toxic materials with non-toxic materials, replace non-renewable materials with renewable materials, or reduce waste.
  • Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.
  • Monitor and adjust production processes or equipment for quality and productivity.
  • Oversee equipment start-up, characterization, qualification, or release.
  • Oversee or inspect production processes.
  • Prepare layouts, drawings, or sketches of machinery or equipment, such as shop tooling, scale layouts, or new equipment design, using drafting equipment or computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Prepare production documents, such as standard operating procedures, manufacturing batch records, inventory reports, or productivity reports.
  • Provide advice or training to other technicians.
  • Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.
  • Select cleaning materials, tools, or equipment.
  • Select material quantities or processing methods needed to achieve efficient production.
  • Set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state
No data available for some states (white on the map)

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician jobs (1.70%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Training, pre-employment, will come from certification or associate's degree in industrial engineering technology.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Nearly all workers in the field of industrial engineering technology need some on-the-job training to prepare them to meet the specific needs of their employers.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

Those interested in becoming an industrial engineering technologist and technician typically choose a postsecondary program in industrial engineering technology. These programs vary from vocational-technical schools and technical institutes to community colleges. Vocational-technical schools typically award a certificate, whereas community college 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 (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.).

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.

Companies That Hire Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technicians

  • Lockheed Martin
  • The Scotts Company
  • General Electric
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Texas Instruments
  • LEGO
  • Honeywell
  • Toyota

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

With an IET degree, I feel like the opportunity for different positions is unlimited. I, myself, have held positions such as sales engineer, industrial engineer, lead engineer. I've worked in the aviation and avionics industries. I've worked in bearing manufacturing industries. I currently hold a technical manager position…(Brian Estep)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdvgpJnP1tI

Nature of the Work

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting how machines are set up and how much they produce. They prepare machinery and equipment, design how the machines work, do studies to see how much product the machines make, and analyze how much it all costs. They may assess a product or how it is made by testing the product at different stages. They want to make sure the product is made well and works as it should.

In addition, industrial engineering technologists and technicians could study the time and steps workers take to do a task (time and motion studies). This may help in setting how much product should be made during a certain time and how easily the workers can do their work.

The work of industrial engineering technologists and technicians is versatile and applicable to a variety of projects. For example, they could help businesses lower costs; help to make sure customers are happy; and help make more product at a lower cost.

Industrial engineering technologists and technicians generally work on teams with industrial engineers.

Work Environment

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.

Manufacturing and service sites may include computer and electronic product manufacturing; transportation equipment manufacturing; professional, scientific, and technical services; machinery manufacturing; and chemical manufacturing.

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

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as an Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

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