How can a process run more efficiently?
How can a group of workers
improve productivity?
These are questions that
an industrial engineering technician
asks in order to help employees, systems,
and machines operate more effectively.
These technicians are skilled observers
and critical thinkers.
They evaluate the performance
of other people or organizations
and identify potential improvements
or changes.
They may study the time and steps
workers take to do a task,
and use that information
to establish production or service goals.
Industrial engineering technicians
also observe how equipment
is used and maintained,
looking for ways to reduce expenses
or improve quality.
They apply their skills across all the stages
of industrial processes
to help businesses minimize inventory costs,
increase customer satisfaction,
and control project expenses.
Most industrial engineering technicians
work in factories, stores,
healthcare organizations,
repair shops, and offices.
They typically work on site
at locations where products are made
and services are delivered.
Most work full-time schedules,
on teams supervised by industrial engineers.
Industrial engineering technicians
typically need an associate’s degree
or certificate in the field.
Community colleges or technical institutes
typically offer associate’s degree programs,
and vocational–technical schools
offer certificate programs.
Knowledge of computer-aided design software
—or computer skills that
will help you learn it—
is very useful.