Manufacturing Industrial Engineering Technician
Hourly Rates up to Jobs Available
$62 7,000+

What Does an Industrial Engineering Technician Do?

America’s manufacturing facilities are efficient. That’s thanks, in part, to the work of industrial engineering technicians. 

Through keen observation and creative thinking, these technicians work with engineers to improve manufacturing system layouts and other industrial production processes to make them more efficient.

They help industrial engineers establish standard procedures. They also plan workflows, conduct studies, prepare machinery and equipment layouts, help minimize inventory costs and analyze production costs — all with safety in mind.

Industrial engineering technicians — also called industrial engineering technologists — are needed in factories, offices, stores, healthcare facilities and beyond. Because their skills are valuable to so many types of businesses, their responsibilities vary, depending on the employer.

If you're curious and love solving problems, keep reading to learn what kind of training you’ll need to land a job in this essential role.

An industrial engineering technician reviews a blueprint while talking on a walkie-talkie in front of a worksite
The versatility of industrial engineering technicians allows them to be useful in a variety of projects. (Credit: Freebird7977/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

  • Work with industrial engineers and management to recommend solutions
  • Study company operations in terms of time spent, motion, method, cost and speed
  • Collect data
  • Interpret engineering diagrams 
  • Recommend revisions to processes, work assignments and floor layouts to increase production efficiency
  • Observe workers and how they follow quality and production standards
  • Create workflows and write reports 

How To Become an Industrial Engineering Technician: FAQs

The bottom line:

This career may not be as well-known as others, but it's essential to maintaining and improving efficiency in many settings. It's a good fit for someone who loves problem-solving and analyzing situations from several angles. If this sounds like you, check out the training options near you in the boxes below. With a relatively short-term commitment, you could be on your way to earning a good salary and making a difference! 

Industrial engineering technician David Vanderveen

Why becoming an industrial engineering technician is worthwhile

David Vanderveen is a problem-solver of a different kind. His work as an industrial engineering technician means he studies processes and systems and makes them more efficient.

"Fitting together each piece of a process in the most efficient way possible is like a giant puzzle, and the satisfaction when everything comes together can’t be beat," says David.

The job pulls together two of his strengths: improving processes and working with different people to solve a problem.  

"A willingness to go out to where the process is performed and get your hands dirty also goes a long way toward being successful," he says.

Find out what else David has to say about being an industrial engineering technician.

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