Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers (NOC 2141)
Description
Industrial and manufacturing engineers conduct studies, and develop and supervise programs to achieve the best use of equipment, human resources, technology, materials and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity. Industrial and manufacturing engineers are employed in consulting firms, manufacturing and processing companies, and in government, financial, health care and other institutions, or they may be self-employed.
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Example Titles
- engineer, computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
- fire prevention engineer
- industrial engineer
- manufacturing engineer
- plant engineer
- production engineer
- quality control engineer
- safety engineer
- work measurement engineer
>> View all titles
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Classified Elsewhere
- Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers) (2147)
- Engineering Managers (0211)
- Mechanical Engineers (2132)
- Metallurgical and Materials Engineers (2142)
- Organizational analysts (in 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management)
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Duties
Industrial and manufacturing engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan and design plant layouts and facilities
- Study new machinery and facilities and recommend or select efficient combinations
- Develop flexible or integrated manufacturing systems and procedures
- Conduct studies and implement program to determine optimum inventory levels for production and to allow optimum utilization of machinery, materials and resources
- Analyze costs of production
- Design, develop and conduct time studies and work simplification programs
- Determine human resource and skill requirements and develop training programs
- Develop performance standards, evaluation systems and wage and incentive programs
- Conduct studies of the reliability and performance of plant facilities, and production or administrative systems
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs
- Establish programs and conduct studies to enhance industrial health and safety or to identify and correct fire and other hazards
- Evaluate or assess industrial facilities
- Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff and other engineers.
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Skills
Industrial and manufacturing engineers have many skills in common with other engineers:
- the ability to think logically in analyzing, solving problems and making decisions
- a capacity for details and precision
- the ability to think in mathematical and abstract terms
- a practical, mechanical inclination
- an interest in technical processes
- communication and interpersonal skills
- persistence and determination
Industrial and manufacturing engineers engineers also need the following technical skills:
- mathematical methods such as operations research and statistics for quality control
- knowledge of financial planning and cost analysis
- ability to program and use computers for simulations and to control various activities and devices, such as assembly lines and robots
- familiarity with the application of health and safety regulations
- knowledge of industrial processes, as well as mechanical, chemical, and psychological principles
- knowledge of quality control measures such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, ISO
- Engineers wishing to progress to management need leadership skills, ability to identify, priorize and resolve key concerns, awareness of motivation techniques, management styles, teaching/coaching/mentoring, goal setting, and effective time and team management.
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Employment Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. Employers may accept completion of a college diploma in engineering technology combined with several years of experience, for positions not requiring a professional qualification.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
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Terms & Conditions
Industrial and manufacturing engineers commonly work indoors in an office or production facility. They usually work during normal business hours, with occasional evenings and weekends in order to meet project deadlines.
Starting wage rates can vary substantially according to the industry and location of employment. The range for starting salaries in Manitoba is from $28,000 to $36,500. Nearly all industrial & manufacturing engineers work full-time (100%). Almost all are paid employees (98%).
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Earnings
$45,000 per annum - starting
$66,000 per annum - average
$91,500 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
The University of Manitoba offers the following degree programs in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering B.Sc.(Eng.)
- Master of Engineering M.Eng.
- Master of Science M.Sc.
- The University of Manitoba Engineering Access Program is a four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree for Manitoba Aboriginal students.
- Red River College offers a number of programs in engineering technologies.
- The University College of the North offers a two-year Chemical Engineering Technology diploma program.
- Continuing education courses are also available in these institutions for upgrading of existing skills.
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Career Paths
There is considerable mobility between industrial engineering specializations at junior levels.
Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, administration or management.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for industrial and manufacturing engineers are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. The number of positions in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 320.
Approximately 2/3 of this small occupational group work in manufacturing or industries that support manufacturing. The economic challenges of a strong Canadian dollar, sluggish US economy and high fuel prices that may affect the volume of shipments are unlikely to reduce the demand for industrial and manufacturing engineers as local companies require their services to attain improved and cost-effective methods of production and adapt their processes to the changing technology.
The growing emphasis upon product quality in manufacturing requires engineers to have expertise in quality control methods and techniques to meet international standards. The concern for health and safety within work environments should increase the need for health and safety engineers.
A proportionally larger share of jobs are located in Winnipeg, but they may be found in other regions, particularly where large Manufacturing plants are located. Across industries, the greatest concentration of industrial and Manufacturing engineers is in Manufacturing (73%), followed by Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (6%), Utilities (5%) and Transportation and Warehousing (5%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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Other Related Information...
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