Industrial Engineering Technician

What Does an Industrial Engineering Technician Do?
Industrial engineering technicians assist industrial engineers by analyzing the many steps of production
and studying the efficiency of all workers and materials. They do so by designing layouts of machines and equipment, planning production steps, performing detailed studies on the overall effectiveness of production and analyzing production costs. They apply engineering theory and principles toward evaluations of time, motion, method and speed of production, maintenance and worker performance. With this important data, industrial engineering technicians can solve problems in industrial designs, work flow and manufacturing production. In addition, industrial engineering technicians test all machinery and materials to establish standard production rates and stay up to par with their competitors. Industrial engineering technicians typically work under the direction of engineering staff and industrial engineers. They may also assist in developing new industry models to save money while increasing profits and efficiency.

What Is the Employment and Salary Outlook for an Industrial Engineering Technician?
The employment and salary outlook for industrial engineering technicians is expected to be favorable over the next decade. Industrial engineering technicians should see a seven percent employment increase by 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This slight growth can be attributed to industry demands and firms that want to cut costs and increase productivity. In addition, the work of industrial engineering technicians requires on-site attendance, which encourages better productivity and adds to their growing demand in the U.S. More industrial engineering technicians will be hired to meet industry demands and to continually study and improve production processes. In addition to increased employment rates, technicians’ salaries are expected to remain competitive amongst other engineering technician fields. According to the Bureau, industrial engineering technicians made an average salary of $47,180 in 2008, with the highest levels of employment in semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing industries. In 2008, industrial engineering technicians made the most money in business support services, followed by data processing, hosting and related services and natural gas distribution.

How Can I Become an Industrial Engineering Technician?
In order to become an industrial engineering technician, you will want to first earn the necessary credentials and gain hands-on experience offered at postsecondary institutions. Most industrial engineering technicians enter the field with an associate degree or other postsecondary training in engineering technology. An associate degree in engineering technology takes about two years to complete, and gives students the flexibility to enter the field faster and have more employment opportunities. During school, you can expect to take college algebra, trigonometry and one or two general science courses. Some engineering technology programs may require students to take more science or math courses before graduation. After you complete your associate degree program, you’ll be eligible to enter the busy field of studying production and manufacturing processes. You can apply your knowledge of industrial engineering and developed skills toward helping a firm become more efficient and profitable. For a list of current industrial engineering technician jobs, check out USAJOBS, the official job site of the U.S. Federal Government.