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Day in the Life
Depending on their tasks, industrial engineers work either in offices or in the settings they are trying to improve. For example, when observing problems, they may watch workers assembling parts in a factory. When solving problems, industrial engineers may be in an office at a computer where they analyze data that they or others have collected. Industrial engineers must work well on teams because they need help from others to collect information about problems and to implement solutions. Industrial engineers may need to travel to observe processes and make assessments in various work settings.
 Teams
and Coworkers
Almost all jobs in engineering require some sort of interaction with
coworkers. Whether they are working in a team situation, or just asking
for advice, most engineers have to have the ability to communicate and
work with other people. Engineers should be creative, inquisitive,
analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of
a team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing.
Communication abilities are important because engineers often interact
with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.
Tasks
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 to provide a service. They are the
bridge between management goals and operational performance. They
are more concerned with increasing productivity through the
management of people, methods of business organization, and
technology than are engineers in other specialties, who generally
work more with products or processes. Although most industrial
engineers work in manufacturing industries, they may also work in
consulting services, healthcare, and communications.
To solve organizational, production, and related problems most
efficiently, industrial engineers carefully study the product and
its requirements, use mathematical methods such as operations
research to meet those requirements, and design manufacturing and
information systems. They develop management control systems to aid
in financial planning and cost analysis and 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. Industrial engineers
determine which plant location has the best combination of raw
materials availability, transportation facilities, and costs.
Industrial engineers use computers for simulations and to control
various activities and devices, such as assembly lines and robots.
They also develop wage and salary administration systems and job
evaluation programs. Many industrial engineers move into management
positions because the work is closely related.
The work of health and safety engineers is similar to that of
industrial engineers in that it deals with the entire production
process. Health and safety engineers promote worksite or product
safety and health by applying knowledge of industrial processes, as
well as mechanical, chemical, and psychological principles. They
must be able to anticipate, recognize, and evaluate hazardous
conditions as well as develop hazard control methods. They also must
be familiar with the application of health and safety regulations.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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