Industrial Engineers

Employers

Approximately 336,600 industrial engineers are employed in the United States. Although a majority of industrial engineers work in the manufacturing industry (aviation, aerospace, consumer goods, electronics, medical equipment and supplies, etc.), related jobs are found in almost all businesses, including transportation, communications, electric, waste management, energy, government, finance, insurance, real estate, wholesale and retail trade, construction, mining, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Also, many work as independent consultants. The military also has a need for industrial engineers and technicians.

Starting Out

The main qualification for an entry-level job is a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a related field. Accredited college programs generally have job openings listed in their career services offices. Entry-level industrial engineers find jobs in various departments, such as computer operations, warehousing, and quality control. As engineers gain on-the-job experience and familiarity with departments, they may decide on a specialty. Some may want to continue to work as process designers or methods engineers, while others may move on to administrative positions.

Some further examples of specialties include work measurement standards, shipping and receiving, cost control, engineering economics, materials handling, management information systems, mathematical models, and operations. Many who choose industrial engineering as a career find its appeal in the diversity of sectors that are available to explore.