Industrial Engineering Technician Job Description, Career as a Industrial Engineering Technician, Salary, Employment

Education and Training Associate’s degree

Average Salary $53,000 per year

Job Outlook Fair

Basic Job Description

Industrial engineering technicians study and record methods involved in the performance, maintenance, clerical, production and other operations involved in the process of how a business is run. They observe these practices to evaluate them and help determine what a business can do to run smoother and more efficiently. They prepare blueprints, workflow charts, and diagrams to depict the best methods for floor layouts, machine use, and material shipping and receiving. They also observe workers to determine time involved in completing tasks, how long they work before becoming tired or fatigued, and the steps they take to complete procedures and contribute to workflow. Industrial engineering technicians look at all physical aspects and layouts that contribute to workflow and help design a plan that will create a more effective process.

Education and Training Requirements

There is no specific degree required for someone who wants to work as an industrial engineering technician. However, most employers prefer to hire a technician who has at least an Associate’s degree in engineering technology or a related field. Those with less training or experience are still able to get a job as a technician, but will often need to go through more training with their employer or start off working in a lower position.

Industrial engineering technicians usually start off training under an experienced technician as an intern or apprentice before becoming qualified to work as a technician on their own.

Getting the Job

Industrial engineering technicians must have an eye for detail and precision. They need to be able to closely observe every aspect of how a business runs and determine what practices or techniques could be implemented to help it run smoother and more efficient.

Since industrial engineering technicians spend a lot of time drafting and design blueprints and graphs to depict business practices, an eye for creativity is also important. They should be able to use tools to take measurements and help them picture their new ideas being utilized in correspondence with existing procedures.

Industrial engineering technicians must also have excellent written and oral communication skills. They will have to speak with employees while observing how they perform tasks and how long it takes them to complete their work. Technicians usually take notes while making observations and talking to employees, so it is important they have a way to effectively log any necessary information.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Industrial engineering technicians can advance their career by working a supervisory position or handling the engineering technology aspect of specific departments within companies. They can work along with other engineers to observe specific departments and combine their findings to come up with a customized plan that creates an effective workflow. Some engineering technicians develop their career to work as a self-employed technician, where they develop a number of clients and work contractually for them. This is ideal for an engineering technician who has received repeat business and gained a trustworthy professional relationship with them.

Employment outlook for industrial engineering technicians is not expected to grow over the next several years. Increased competition will cause many businesses to improve their workflow and production techniques, but larger amounts of manual labor are being replaced by the use of machines and technological advancements.

Globalization of development within businesses is another concept that may halt the employment of industrial engineering technicians. Many companies are outsourcing their work to companies around the world that will do it just as efficient but at a smaller cost, so the need for a technician is unnecessary.

Engineering technicians usually find that they work best in a specific field of business, and will work to specifically find jobs in that field. The current state of the economy can affect different fields, so an engineering technician may come to realize their field is not bringing in any work for them while others are increasing in demand.

Working Conditions and Environment

Industrial engineering technicians spend most of their day visiting businesses and observing their practices while taking notes to determine what can be done differently. When they are not at the locations, they are usually working in an office where they will create graphs, blueprints and other strategic outlines that will display what can be done differently to help each department run smoother.

Engineering technicians rarely work a steady and consistent workweek. They may have days where they visit several places and take up the entire day, while other days will be spent doing office work and creating strategies. An engineering technician who has several clients they are working with will often work long and unusual hours that continue into evenings, nights and weekends. The workload of a technician varies according to their number of clients, size of their company and the type of jobs they need done.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary for an industrial engineering technician is about $53,000 per year. The more experience a technician has and the more certifications and education they have, the more they will potentially make. Technicians who are self-employed have the potential to make a six figure income if they are well known and work for several large scale companies.

Industrial engineering technicians also receive benefits packages through their employers that include health insurance, vacation time and sick leave allowance. Specific benefits vary according to employer, but most will be well taken care of as a result of their hard work.

Engineering technicians who are self-employed are in charge of purchasing their own health insurance and creating their own vacation and sick time. While they do get to enjoy the freedom of self-employment and working whenever they want, they also have to rotate vacations and days off around the demands and needs of their clients.

Where to Go for More Information

Institute of Industrial Engineers
357 Parkway Lane, Suite 200
Norcross, GA 30092
(800) 494-0460
http://www.iienet2.org

Engineering Education Service Center
1004 5th Street
Springfield, OR 97477
(877) 644-6337
http://www.engineeringedu.com