How to become an Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers plan, organise, supervise and manage the operations of industries to ensure the economical, safe and effective use of materials, energy and people.

Personal requirements for an Industrial Engineer

Enjoy technical work
Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
Good oral and written communication skills
Practical and creative
Aptitude for technical activities
Able to work without supervision
Able to accept responsibility

Education & Training for an Industrial Engineer

To become an industrial engineer you usually have to complete a degree in engineering with a major in manufacturing or mechanical engineering. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of an Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers:

Assess the techniques and equipment used in production processes to determine if they can operate more efficiently
Plan and design systems that increase productivity by improving the integration of people, materials, equipment and finance
Choose and develop safer and more efficient manufacturing processes using new, existing or modified machinery and equipment
Introduce or recommend changes to work methods, safety measures and labour organisation
Determine the time taken to perform a task or complete a particular production stage and set performance standards accordingly
Maximise comfort in the workplace by analysing and recommending changes to improve light, alter bench space or machine height and reduce noise.

Tasks

Studies functional statements, organisational charts and project information to determine functions and responsibilities of workers and work units and to identify areas of duplication.
Establishes work measurement programmes and analyses work samples to develop standards for labour utilisation.
Analyses workforce utilisation, facility layout, operational data and production schedules and costs to determine optimum worker and equipment efficiencies.

Employment Opportunities for an Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers are mainly employed by motor vehicle, refrigerator, household appliance and agricultural machinery manufacturing industries, as well as in the wholesale and retail trade. Others find employment in government departments, hospitals and management consultancies and research establishments. Employment is mainly in the private sector.Industrial engineers are increasingly being employed in service industries such as retailing and banking. Factors that may affect the occupation are the levels of activity and restructuring in the manufacturing industry, government incentives for industry to restructure and the volume of product sales.

Specializations

Methods Engineer

A methods engineer studies work processes, tasks and operations in order to promote efficiency and productivity.

Safety Engineer

A safety engineer works to develop safety measures and safer and more efficient manufacturing processes.

Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers plan, organise, supervise and manage the operations of industries to ensure the economical, safe and effective use of materials, energy and people.

Average age
39
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
18% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
89%
Employment Size
4,700
Employment by state
ACT: 0.8%
NSW: 27.7%
NT: 0.5%
QLD: 11.4%
SA: 9.0%
TAS: 1.0%
VIC: 39.1%
WA: 10.6%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.3%
20-24: 5%
25-34: 27.9%
35-44: 29.2%
45-54: 20%
55-59: 8%
60-64: 5.4%
65 and Over: 4.1%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 11.1%
Bachelor degree: 50.6%
Certificate III/IV: 10.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 22.3%
Year 10 and below: 0.8%
Year 11: 0.7%
Year 12: 4.5%