Create systems and products or design the way things are made. Develop, test, and evaluate mechanical systems in an industrial production setting. Work to create systems and products or design the way things are made. Industrial engineers are the people that make machines that make things. If you've seen the show "How it's Made", you've seen the work industrial engineers do.

Make a Difference

A Typical Day

  • Estimate production costs, cost-saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
  • Plan operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products.
  • Analyze data and product specifications to create standards of production.
  • Work with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel.
  • Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plans.
  • Recommend methods for improving the use of personnel, material, and utilities.
 

Recommended Credentials

Bachelor’s Degree

Education & Training

Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

 

Northwest Lower Michigan

 

Engineering Program 
— Northwestern Michigan College

Elsewhere in Michigan

 

Mechanical Engineering, BS 
— Michigan Technological University

School of Engineering and Technology 
— Lake Superior State University

Explore This Career

Try it before you buy it!

Get involved or start an after-school program such as one of the challenges offered by FIRST Robotics.

The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

Pathway 1

Northwest Education Services offer an excellent Engineering Academy to start your journey!

Pathway 2

Attend a 2-year engineering program at a college like NMC.

Pathway 3

Transfer to a 4-year school. The following have transfer agreements with NMC: 

 

Sample Employers in Our Region

Click the logos below to learn more.

TIP

Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.

 

Sample Job Titles...

  • Continuous Improvement Engineer
  • Engineer
  • Facilities Engineer
  • Industrial Engineer
  • Operations Engineer
  • Plant Engineer
 

Hear It From The Pros

10-Year Job Growth Projections

6.7%
10-County Region
9%
Michigan
10%
U.S.

Employed Regionally

330
In 2021 (10-County Region)

Wage Range & Median 10-County Region

$58,750
$77,500 
$101,600

Annual Hires Regionally

20
In 2021

Other Regional Career Resources

Learn more about Industrial Engineers at O*NET Online.

Sample Career Pathways

Click to download a PDF of this diagram.

Diagram of Paths To and From Other Careers for Industrial Engineer