Engineers, Industrial & Manufacturing    ( 2141 )


NOC code: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers (2141)

Industrial and manufacturing engineers figure out how to do things better. They're big-picture thinkers, but they also get right down to the nitty-gritty and understand how things work at a practical level. They're in demand by companies who want to avoid wasting time, people and money. "Industrial" doesn't just mean manufacturing; these engineers go anywhere that requires efficiency--and that's everywhere!

DESCRIPTION

Manufacturing engineering duties focus on creating and designing high-quality products safely and efficiently (which means quickly and at the lowest cost). Industrial engineering activities focus on improving the use of resources in systems and facilities. Like operating rooms in hospitals for instance. An industrial engineer would help surgeons and anesthetists understand their own efficiency levels by observing the flow of patients, the placement of equipment, etc.

Engineers in this field change something to make it work "better." Ergonomics, the relationship between people and the work environment, is a key factor. Their major responsibilities are: design and improvement (of facilities, processes, and products), logistics, operations, and information management (that's transportation, customer service, supplies, etc.) and management (schedules, workflow, budgets, quality control, you name it....).

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SPECIFIC DUTIES

Industrial and manufacturing engineers perform some or all of these tasks:

*planning and designing plants, and evaluating other industrial sites
*studying resources to recommend combinations of machinery, people and processes to develop systems and programs that maximize production and resources
*analyzing production costs and safety using time studies and other tools, and designing work simplification, health and safety and other programs
*developing assessment methods, and then, evaluating performance, efficiency and quality of all systems, processes and products, and finding ways to improve them, and
*supervising technicians and other project staff, and consulting with analysts, managers, other engineers and clients.

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RELATED CAREERS

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EDUCATION

  • To see recommended high school courses that will help prepare you for this career, click here
  • You want well-rounded abilities and knowledge to work in this engineering field.
  • Throughout high school and university, find time to develop computer know-how with spreadsheet, database, CAD (computer-aided design), and other design programs.
  • To become an industrial or manufacturing engineer, you need a university engineering degree. Several Canadian schools offer industrial and manufacturing engineering programs. Some other engineering programs (for example, mechanical engineering) also apply to this career.
  • You may need a professional engineer's licence from your provincial or territorial association. To get it, you must complete an approved engineering program, work in the field for four years, and pass a practical exam.

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CAREER PATH

Industrial and manufacturing engineers often specialize in an area such as information systems or product design. With several years of experience, they become senior or supervising engineers, and may choose a management career.

Engineers in this field develop a broad range of abilities and an excellent understanding of how to run a business. This opens up other possibilities, such as education, or consulting, or starting their own company.

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EMPLOYERS / WORKPLACE

airlines
banks
computer service firms
telecommunication companies
business machine manufacturers
electronic equipment manufacturers
electric power companies
engineering and other scientific companies
electrical equipment manufacturers
service industries
hospitals
railroads
social service agencies and organizations

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WORK ENVIRONMENT

You say you've got good communication skills? Industrial and manufacturing engineers spend a lot of time learning, asking questions, making suggestions, explaining programs and changes, and reporting on projects.

You'll work regular days, Monday through Friday, putting in longer hours to meet deadlines or solve problems. Your work could take you anywhere--even into outer space!

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COMMON JOB TITLES

Automotive engineer, Avionics engineer, Communications engineer, Control systems engineer, Design engineer, electrical, Distribution planning engineer, electrical
Electrical engineer
Electronics engineer
Instrumentation and control engineer, Microwave systems engineer
Network engineer, electrical
Planning engineer, electrical systems, Process control engineer, electrical
Radio systems engineer
Roadway lighting design engineer
Telecommunications engineer
Television systems engineer
Test engineer, electronics
Transmission planning engineer

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

  • Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Undergrad Programs
    The University of Toronto's site for mechanical and industrial engineering students.
    www.mie.utoronto.ca/undergrad/
  • Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada
    www.acec.ca/
  • Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC)
    Includes information about careers, courses, skills and job placement in the steel industry.
    www.cstec.ca
  • TCA Connect
    The Toronto Construction Association's CONstruction Network for Education and Career Training (CONNECT). Information on a wide variety of careers in the construction industry (including trades, management, sales, etc.). Also includes training information.
    www.tcaconnect.com
  • Institute of Industrial Engineers
    Be sure to check out the Career Centre (under Resources & Info). Then, scroll down to find Career Resources and click on Choosing a Career AND Career Choices (they're different).
    www.iienet.org/
  • Engineering: Your Future
    This is a U.S. site but it is so cool we just have to mention it! It's specifically for high school students who want to know more about engineering.
    www.asee.org/precollege/default.cfm
  • Engineering Institute of Canada
    A federation of technical societies, the EIC is the leading proponent of continuing education and technical professional development in the Canadian engineering community. Members include engineers, geo-scientists and engineering technologists. Web site includes an online career search for members.
    www.eic-ici.ca
  • Society of Manufacturing Engineers
    Click on "Youth Programs" and you'll find a wealth of information on manufacturing. The links on the left include job descriptions, tours of factories, a "past and future" display and lots more. It's a U.S. site but a lot of it applies to Canadians, too.
    www.sme.org
  • Canadian Technology Human Resources Board
    Be sure to check out their Look Ahead, Get Ahead (under Career Choices on left nav.) for terrific info about wide-open choices available.
    www.cthrb.ca 

Note: 1- For more information Please see "http://careermatters.tvo.org

          2- Quoted from : "http://careermatters.tvo.org/careers/display.phtml?job_id=193#duties ".