Architecture & Engineering
Industrial Engineers
Also called: Continuous Improvement Engineer, Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Industrial Engineer
US median pay
$102,440
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+12.4%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
23,100
365,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
What they do day to day
- Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
- Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
- Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
- Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
- Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
- Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
- Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
- Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
- Draft and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
- Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Systems Evaluation3.2/5
- Systems Analysis3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology4.4/5
- Production and Processing4.3/5
- Mechanical4.2/5
- Design4.1/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree59%
- Some college16%
- Master's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.