Industrial Engineers

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Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

tasks jobzones knowledge skills abilities work_activities work_context interests work_styles work_values

Tasks

  • Regulate and alter workflow schedules according to established manufacturing sequences and lead times to expedite production operations.

  • Schedule deliveries based on production forecasts, material substitutions, storage and handling facilities, and maintenance requirements.

  • Complete production reports, purchase orders, and material, tool, and equipment lists.

  • Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.

  • Study operations sequence, material flow, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine worker functions and responsibilities.

  • Implement methods and procedures for disposition of discrepant material and defective or damaged parts, and assess cost and responsibility.

  • Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.

  • Formulate sampling procedures and designs and develop forms and instructions for recording, evaluating, and reporting quality and reliability data.

  • Estimate production cost and effect of product design changes for management review, action, and control.

  • Direct workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.

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Job Zone

  • Name: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

  • Experience: A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

  • Job training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

  • Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, human resource managers, computer programmers, teachers, chemists, and police detectives.

  • Svp range: (7.0 to < 8.0)

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Knowledge

Browse Knowledge
  • Engineering and Technology
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

  • Mathematics
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

  • Production and Processing
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

  • Design
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • Education and Training
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • Mechanical
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • Administration and Management
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

  • Computers and Electronics
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • Clerical
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

  • English Language
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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Skills

Browse Skills
  • Equipment Selection
    Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Active Learning
    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

  • Judgment and Decision Making
    Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

  • Active Listening
    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Mathematics
    Using mathematics to solve problems.

  • Complex Problem Solving
    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

  • Writing
    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Critical Thinking
    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Coordination
    Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

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Abilities

Browse Abilities
  • Deductive Reasoning
    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Written Comprehension
    The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

  • Oral Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Information Ordering
    The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • Oral Comprehension
    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Written Expression
    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

  • Inductive Reasoning
    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

  • Visualization
    The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

  • Mathematical Reasoning
    The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

  • Problem Sensitivity
    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

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Work Activities

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Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
    How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

  • Telephone
    How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

  • Electronic Mail
    How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
    How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
    How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

  • Work With Work Group or Team
    How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

  • Contact With Others
    How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
    How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?

  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
    How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

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Interests

Browse Interests
  • Enterprising
    Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • Investigative
    Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

  • Realistic
    Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

  • Conventional
    Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

  • Social
    Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

  • Artistic
    Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

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Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
    Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

  • Analytical Thinking
    Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

  • Dependability
    Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

  • Initiative
    Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility
    Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

  • Integrity
    Job requires being honest and ethical.

  • Persistence
    Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

  • Innovation
    Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

  • Cooperation
    Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

  • Leadership
    Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

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Work Values

Browse Work Values
  • Ability Utilization
    Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.

  • Creativity
    Workers on this job try out their own ideas.

  • Autonomy
    Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.

  • Independence-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Achievement-Mean Extent
    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

  • Responsibility
    Workers on this job make decisions on their own.

  • Activity
    Workers on this job are busy all the time.

  • Authority
    Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others.

  • Social Status
    Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community.

  • Achievement
    Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.

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