About the Field

Industrial Engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on optimizing processes, systems, or complex organizations through the development, improvement, and implementation of integrated systems consisting of human resources, capital, knowledge, information, and equipment. The main focus of industrial engineering is operations and production processes. Industrial engineers use specialized knowledge and skills in both “mathematical sciences” and “social sciences” along with engineering analysis and design methods to explain, predict, and evaluate the results obtained from systems and processes.

Fundamentals of Industrial Engineering

In manufacturing industries, the fundamentals of industrial engineering exist to optimize systems, processes, and operations. Some of the most important ones include supply chain management, lean production, Six Sigma, information systems, process capability, and Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC). The correct application of these methods in an organization leads to the creation of new systems, processes, or situations for the effective coordination of work, materials, and machines, as well as the improvement of the quality and productivity of physical or social systems. Depending on the sub-specialties involved, industrial engineering may overlap with operations research, systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, production engineering, supply chain engineering, management science, engineering management, financial engineering, simulation, ergonomics (human factors engineering), safety engineering, or logistics engineering.

Skill Areas

Cost analysis, production and operations, data analysis, root cause analysis, organizational development skills, creativity, lean thinking, optimal product design, statistical analysis, process improvement, Six Sigma, critical thinking, public relations, project management, leadership, medium and long-term planning, systems thinking, logistics, and supply chain management are some of the most important skills needed by industrial engineers in the coming years.

Work Fields

• Analyzing and reviewing existing systems in industrial and service sectors
• Addressing system deficiencies and, if necessary, creating new systems
• Planning industrial operations
• Developing strategic plans for companies (feasibility studies of production units, optimization, control of industrial and service projects)
• Training section managers in industrial units
• Providing systematic solutions
• Considering safety, etc.

Professional Requirements

Due to the similarities between this field and management studies, as well as its closeness to other engineering fields, this job has a good economic and social future. Industrial engineering has a good social standing and is always needed because of its applicability in all sections and units.

Necessity of This Profession

The expansion of industrial and service activities and the need for decision-making and planning at these units’ level require expert consultants. Consultants who use scientific methods to collect information, analyze data, model problems, and solve them, leading to the achievement and enhancement of managers’ goals.

Characteristics of an Industrial Engineer

• High executive and managerial ability
• High precision and analytical power
• Creativity, innovation, and perseverance
• Social relationships
• Intelligence and the ability to work under difficult conditions

These are some characteristics that an industrial engineer should utilize in different parts of factories’ environments.