Industrial Engineer Career Information

Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways for an organisation to use the basic factors of production-people, machines and materials to make a product or provide a service.

You will design better methods and facilities for manufacturing and services. You will study the various industrial processes involved, use mathematical models and computer simulation to devise new manufacturing systems that are more efficient. You will calculate how much work each machine or worker should deliver and if necessary initiate the use of automation and robots. You will aid in financial planning and cost analysis, design production systems as well as quality control procedures. You will also have to work out the best possible system for handling and storage of raw material, setting inventory size, as well as packaging and the physical distribution of goods and services. In addition to these responsibilities you are also concerned with worker safety and work environment.

When new projects come up, you will be involved in it from start to finish. Industrial engineers determine the suitability of locations for factories depending on the best combination of raw materials availability, transportation, and costs. In actual plant design, you will figure out which computer systems, machines and automated equipment will be used in the design and manufacturing process. You will determine the most effective layout for computers, equipment and offices such that it is flexible and easily maintainable. You will also develop wage and salary administration systems and job evaluation programmes.

Industrial engineers must also understand ergonomics (which seeks to adapt working conditions to suit the worker) and consider how the machines and work environment affect the worker. You will design workstations to reduce fatigue and prevent discomfort and work related injuries. You will ensure that the placement of equipment, computers and keyboards is perfect right down to the height of desks and tables.

Much of an Industrial Engineer's output is used by management for making decisions. Your recommendations may affect the size of a firm's profits, its labor relations, as well as its production costs. In many ways you are the bridge between management goals and operational performance.

One of the major challenges an Industrial Engineers faces is automating a production process. You will have to first determine what aspect of production needs to be automated and if it makes financial sense. You will also decide which machines fit the requirements.

You will be spending a lot of time in your office poring over papers and meeting heads of various departments. Your visit to the production plant would usually be restricted to supervising installation of new equipment and ensuring that the production flows smoothly.

Job Opportunities

Almost any organisation in the industrial sector requires the services of industrial engineers. A majority of industrial engineers work in manufacturing industries. Other employment avenues exist in the construction and pharmaceutical sectors.

Engineering consultancy organizations like Larsen and Toubro and Tata Engineering services also employ Industrial engineers.

You will begin your career as an assistant engineer. As you gain experience, you will advance to associate and senior level positions. From here you can branch out into senior managerial levels like project management or production supervision.

Career Prospects

The increasing complexity of industrial operations and the expansion of automated processes in factories and offices is contributing to the demand for industrial engineers. In today's troubled times, companies are trying to cut costs and improve efficiency. Most of them choose to outsource experienced industrial engineers. Starting your own consultancy firm after several years experience has therefore become a very lucrative option.