What do they do?

How many factory workers does it take to manufacture a light bulb?

Though it may sound like the opening line of a bad joke, the truth is that it is just such questions that occupy the minds of industrial engineering technicians.

Industrial engineering technicians and technologists help engineers design and improve manufacturing processes, equipment, and systems. At a light bulb factory, for example, an industrial engineering technician would not only study how many workers it takes to build a better bulb, but what sort of equipment layout would work best for production, and what type of material would be the safest and least costly to use. It’s all about efficiency.

Under the watchful eyes of a senior engineer or technologist, industrial engineering technicians and technologists study the efficient use of personnel, materials and machines in factories, stores, repair shops and offices. They collect data on plant operations, prepare layouts of machinery and equipment, plan the flow of work, make statistical studies and analyze production costs.

They may study and record the time, motion, method and speed of workers, general production, or maintenance and clerical operations. Their work differs from that of engineers in that it is generally much more hands-on and less theoretical. Technologists with a 4-year degree are likely to do tasks that are almost interchangeable with those of industrial engineers.
 

Specific tasks include

# Helping industrial engineers plan work flow in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules and anticipated delays

# Creating computer applications to assist with operations and assessment procedures

# Evaluating production costs

# Conducting time and motion studies to help workers do more in less time

# Recommending better ways of handling material, or altering equipment layout to increase production or improve standards

# Supervising and working with production line workers

# Writing technical reports, including drawing up charts, graphs, diagrams and written descriptions, which show the flow of work, routing, floor layouts, material handling and use of machines

# Interpreting engineering drawings, schematic diagrams or formulas and conferring with management engineering staff to determine the quality and reliability of standards

# Recording test data and applying statistical quality control procedures

 

Specialization

Industrial engineering technicians and technologists can specialize in a variety of areas, including management and operations, methods planning, production planning, plant layout and design, plant safety, work measurement, quality control, cost analysis, job evaluation, information systems, computer processing and materials handling.

# Methods-study analysts collect and analyze data on manufacturing methods to help businesses and services make better use of equipment, facilities and materials while reducing costs.

# Time-study analysts collect and analyze data on how workers use their time with the hope of increasing worker efficiency.

# Safety technicians collect data on work environments for safety specialists to analyze. Working with specialists, safety technicians assist in designing programs to control, eliminate and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, biological agents or ergonomic factors.

# Quality control technicians apply quality control tests and record results to ensure consistent production quality.
 

Education

Technologists usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering technology, or a related field.

Technicians usually begin by performing routine duties under the supervision of an experienced engineer or technologist. With time, technicians and technologists are given more difficult assignments and some become supervisors. Career advancement usually depends on job performance, development of technical skills, length of employment, and ability to supervise. Those with a 4-year bachelor’s degree will have a greater possibility of advancement.
 

Skills & Knowledge

• Understanding scientific and technical material
• Abstract thinking
• Intellectual creativity
• Working as part of a team
• Using advanced mathematical and statistical formulas and concepts
• Planning, organizing and conducting research
• Working with computers
• Logical thinking
• Understanding technical drawings

 

Working Condition

Industrial engineering technicians can work in factories, offices, stores and repair shops. Most work in manufacturing industries. These industries include electronic components, communications equipment, motor vehicles, plastics and furniture. Other industrial engineering technicians and technologists work for engineering services firms, the government and insurance companies.

 

Job Outlook

The number of jobs for these techs will increase very fast. Businesses will be searching for ways to be more productive, and industrial engineering technicians can help them do this. But improving technology, including continually improving computer-aided design and drafting software, makes technicians themselves more productive and reduces demand.