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Job outlook for industrial engineering managers in the United States
Industrial engineering manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected industrial engineering manager job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 30,600 new jobs for industrial engineering managers are projected over the next decade.
Industrial engineering manager salaries have increased 6% for industrial engineering managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 23,825 industrial engineering managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 71,566 active industrial engineering manager job openings in the US.
The average industrial engineering manager salary is $106,039.
Are industrial engineering manager jobs in demand?
Industrial engineering manager job and salary trends over time
Industrial engineering manager jobs over time
Industrial engineering manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23,825 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 23,520 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 23,643 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 22,658 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 21,521 | 0.01% |
Average industrial engineering manager salary over time
Industrial engineering manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $106,039 | $50.98 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $104,930 | $50.45 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $103,762 | $49.89 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $102,379 | $49.22 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $100,508 | $48.32 | +1.0% |
Industrial engineering manager jobs by state
Most common states for industrial engineering managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 304 | 44% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,301 | 19% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 187 | 19% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,318 | 18% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 128 | 17% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,357 | 16% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 487 | 16% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 165 | 16% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 121 | 16% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 94 | 16% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 637 | 15% |
| 12 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 252 | 15% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 206 | 15% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 840 | 14% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 803 | 14% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 494 | 14% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 445 | 14% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 719 | 13% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 168 | 13% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 140 | 13% |
Most common cities for industrial engineering managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $115,580 |
| 2 | Dalton | 1 | 3% | $96,757 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $105,914 |
| 4 | Elk Grove Village | 1 | 3% | $95,802 |
| 5 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $114,372 |
| 6 | Marion | 1 | 3% | $84,922 |
| 7 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $96,513 |
| 8 | Des Plaines | 1 | 2% | $96,070 |
| 9 | East Hartford | 1 | 2% | $128,523 |
| 10 | Lenexa | 1 | 2% | $101,144 |
| 11 | Palmdale | 2 | 1% | $126,856 |
| 12 | Fayetteville | 1 | 1% | $87,523 |
| 13 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $108,310 |
| 14 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $89,435 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $83,593 |
| 16 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $96,170 |
| 17 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $96,198 |
Industrial Engineering Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of industrial engineering manager experts
Northern Illinois University
University of Washington
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Northern Illinois University
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
Oklahoma State University
University of Iowa
University of Maryland - College Park
North Dakota State University
San Jose State University
Chapman University
Clemson University
University of Pittsburgh
New Mexico State University
Clarkson University
Kettering University
Pennsylvania State University
North Carolina State University
George Mason University
Kettering University
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Ziteng Wang Ph.D.: If I could only give one piece of general advice to Industrial Engineering graduates beginning their career in the field, it would be to keep an open mind. One of the advantages for a student to have an IE degree is that they could apply their skills to almost any industry. As good as it sounds, this also means that the student must quickly learn to understand the organization they work for and the industry they choose to begin their career in. Doing this will allow the student to bridge their IE knowledge and skills with the reality and uniqueness of their job, and therefore, quickly adapt to the field and make an impact. Keeping an open mind also means to understand what they see in the field may be far different than what they learned in the classroom or from the textbooks because the real-world problems that Industrial Engineers are faced with are often complex for a variety of reasons. As someone who just begins their career, the student should anticipate adjusting the “perfect model” in their mind to a realistic version by using a combination of their IE skills.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ziteng Wang Ph.D.: Stay relevant and up to date in the field as the IE field, just like other rapidly growing fields, is evolving very fast. Stay up to date of the latest developments and technologies in the industry. Take on big challenges and make an impact. Prove yourself and show your ability, skills, and potential. Learn from the best, and give your best advice to others. Get involved in the professional community to maximize your opportunities.
What will help Industrial Engineering Managers increase their earning potential?
Ziteng Wang Ph.D.: There are quite many, but I’d like to highlight two. The first is the data analytics skill. This argument is not new, but I think the skill becomes more and more important. Rather than a particular skill, data analytics skill is more like a toolbox because it involves a variety of abilities to use different software for data cleansing, visualization, statistical modeling, validation, and data-driven decision-making. One of the reasons why Industrial Engineering is one of the most exciting and coolest jobs is that we could deal with data of all sorts in terms of scale, industry, quality, and problems to solve. This requires IE students to prepare themselves for the challenge which only will be more prevalent as AI-enabled products and technologies rely on data and produce new data. The second is the skill to work in an interdisciplinary team and communicate to people from different backgrounds. Industrial engineering deals with processes and systems that could span widely in scale, from global supply chains to manufacturing plants. IE students must be able to understand the perspectives and “languages” of various departments and even different organizations, and make their work, results, and their IE perspective understood by the stakeholders. This might not be easy but is highly necessary and becoming more important than ever because the problems in the field are more and more complex, requiring collaborative effort and system-wide solutions.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Shuai Huang: An Industrial Engineer uses data analytics, simulation, operations research, optimization methods, human factors, and scientific management tools to develop an analytic perspective of business processes and production systems for optimal performance.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shuai Huang: Industrial & Systems Engineers are in high demand across various industries such as logistics, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, robotics, and cyber-infrastructure, offering diverse roles with unique challenges and rewards.
What will help Industrial Engineering Managers increase their earning potential?
Shuai Huang: People like the leadership and management components of Industrial Engineering, the use of data analytics, simulation and digital twin technologies, and human factors to design better systems. Dislikes include the lack of understanding about the field by others.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Ana Wooley Ph.D.: People skills for sure. Industrial engineers collaborate and interact with so many other areas. The biggest trait you could have is to be able to effectively communicate and interact with peers.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ana Wooley Ph.D.: For a graduate beginning their career in Industrial Systems Engineering, my advice is to be genuinely proactive and to take initiative. This field, like any other, comes with a steep learning curve as you familiarize yourself with the company's operations, culture, and processes. Actively seek out and engage with experienced colleagues who can mentor and guide you. Don’t hesitate to volunteer for challenging tasks, as these opportunities will significantly improve your learning and skill development. Another piece of advice I would give is not to be discouraged if you find yourself not enjoying your first job. It's important to remember that you never truly know until you experience it firsthand. This initial job can be a great learning opportunity, helping you identify what aspects of the field you don't enjoy and guiding you towards roles that are a better fit for your interests and skills. Every experience, even those that are not ideal, contributes to your overall career growth and helps you identify your career path.
What will help Industrial Engineering Managers increase their earning potential?
Ana Wooley Ph.D.: I would say to build a strong network. There's so many opportunities for the ISE area out there and building a strong professional network can open doors to higher-paying opportunities within the same company or outside.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Theodore Hogan PhD, CIH: Engineering Technology B.S. graduates apply both engineering knowledge and industrial management skills to practical problem solving. The day-to-day work includes collaborating with management and line workers to troubleshoot issues along with planning and implementing process improvements. More experienced Engineering Technology graduates apply these people and problem-solving skills to manage traditional engineers and general business operations.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Theodore Hogan PhD, CIH: Employers need graduates who can recognize and solve problems on the shop floor. They don't stare at a computer all day like some other professions. There is a high demand, and effective and experienced Engineering Technology professionals are quickly promoted to engineering and general management leadership positions. Northern Illinois University Engineering Technology graduates often earn more than $100K/year a few years after graduation, with many achieving local, national, or international business leadership positions in a variety of industries in 10+ years.
What will help Industrial Engineering Managers increase their earning potential?
Theodore Hogan PhD, CIH: Engineering Technology is perceived to be less desirable than Mechanical Engineering or other traditional engineering degrees by both students and parents. Unfortunately, many students miss out on a skills-based career with flexible career options, high pay, and great career satisfaction.
What will help Industrial Engineering Managers increase their earning potential?
Yi Yang PhD: First of all, be really good at what you do. Always negotiate for a higher salary based on your qualifications and market value. Additionally, consider exploring opportunities in management and actively contribute to strategic decision-making. Taking calculated risks, such as joining a startup, can also lead to valuable experiences and skill development that can enhance your earning potential in the long run.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Yi Yang PhD: For new graduates beginning their careers in engineering, I would advise them to consider the broader impact of their work and look for opportunities to expand their management potential. While engineering is a highly technical field, it's important to recognize the value of leadership roles in preserving a culture of innovation. By taking on these positions, you can help ensure that companies prioritize long-term innovation over short-term gains (cutting R&D to boost the balance sheet), thus preserving the engineering culture that drives meaningful progress.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yi Yang PhD: In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Guiping Hu Ph.D.: People like the diversity and flexibility of being an industrial engineer. You can work on all kinds of problems with your industrial engineering skills. However, if you are only looking for a very narrow area in a specific engineering discipline, industrial engineering may not be right for you since we focus on system efficiency improvement and welfare of the workers.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Guiping Hu Ph.D.: Industrial Engineering is a very inclusive, diverse, and dynamic discipline. IE is about choices, other engineering disciplines apply skills to very specific areas. IE gives you the opportunity to work on a variety of businesses. If you are interested in management and interacting with people and improving systems, IE is a great choice for you.
What will help Industrial Engineering Managers increase their earning potential?
Guiping Hu Ph.D.: Industrial Engineers design, build, and improve production systems. As IEs, we focus on both the quality of what is made and how it is made. Industrial Engineering is a very inclusive, diverse, and dynamic discipline. Whether it is shortening a roller-coaster line, streamlining an operating room, distributing products world wide or manufacturing superior automobiles, all share the common goal of reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
What skills stand out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: Rather than a concrete skill, previous experience in managing teams to accomplish engineering-related tasks is sure to make you a standout. Showcasing familiarity with work management software (e.g., Jira) or budget/total effort tracking systems is important. Find out what software the company you're seeking employment with uses, and be sure to highlight this if you're familiar with it.
What soft skills should all Industrial Engineering Managers possess?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: The ability to understand the people on your team and allocate project work accordingly is important. In this role, you may find that you "step back" from the day-to-day of engineering and coordinate work on a project across multiple individuals with unique outlooks and skillsets. Recognize that "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to management. Harnessing the make-up or the desired professional goals of your team to accomplish your assigned projects leads to better outcomes and productivity. Many skilled engineers lack leadership skills, so highlight these on your resume or during your interview if you have applicable experience.
What skills will help Industrial Engineering Managers earn the most?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: Pay tends to scale with project team size or complexity of the budget managed. Showing an ability to lead large, diverse teams on projects with multiple stakeholders or manage a substantial annual budget will net you jobs with a larger starting salary.
Donald Yeung
Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education, Affiliate Professor, Computer Science DepartmentUniversity of Maryland - College Park
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
What skills will help Industrial Engineering Managers earn the most?
Donald Yeung: Finally, in terms of compensation, I believe the Computer Engineering degree in our department garners the highest average starting salary across the entire UMD campus. The Electrical Engineering degree is not far behind. I don't know if specific skills within ECE garner more pay. But I can say that these days, Data Science (i.e., Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence) is the fastest-growing field, probably bar none. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, I think, puts the growth in this field at around 30% from now until 2026. I would expect the starting salaries in these jobs to be the very highest. So, perhaps having a background in Data Science and Machine Learning might get you a higher-paying job. But I also think it's dangerous for students to look at such statistics to guide what courses they take today (elective courses, that is). What's hot today may not be tomorrow. A career is 40 years, not the next 5 or 10 years.
What skills stand out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Donald Yeung: A degree at a highly rated engineering school is always a plus. For example, the ECE dept at UMD has a good reputation among local employers as well as employers elsewhere, such as Silicon Valley. Many of our students go to companies in these areas, and so we have a reputation based on the quality of students that go out. I think employers know what they're getting. Beyond the school from which you receive your degree, your GPA is also important. How well you do in the program you come from is important, too, obviously. And employers also know about grade inflation or deflation at different schools, so they can calibrate any student's GPA against what experience they've had with previous students' records. Besides that, employers also look for experience outside of the degree program, so internships, research experiences, any significant project experience, etc., are also a real plus.
What soft skills should all Industrial Engineering Managers possess?
Donald Yeung: In terms of soft skills, communication is by far the most important, I would think. This could be ascertained during the interview process. Also, being able to work in a team is a plus, too. This might be demonstrable from large project experiences. For example, our students participate in teaming projects outside of the ECE program like Terp Racing, Hyperloop project, etc. This could demonstrate a student's exposure to working on large teams.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Donald Yeung: In terms of hard technical skills, I believe the courses students take along with their GPA in these courses is one level of demonstration. (As I mentioned above, employers know about our program probably down to specific courses, and so if someone gets an A+ in some notoriously challenging course, that's probably known and appreciated). Some employers will give technical interviews and require students to solve problems on their feet. But I think most employers will judge this based on a student's transcript.
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
What skills stand out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.: The resume of an IE will detail the ability to solve problems and optimize processes for a broad range of industries, including healthcare, transportation, financial, entertainment, manufacturing, and human resources. These skills are further highlighted by the fact that the IE curriculum includes aspects of business management.
What soft skills should all Industrial Engineering Managers possess?
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.: Communication, problem-solving abilities, leadership, and organizational skills are all key in allowing IE's to be successful in the workplace and to build teams that can collaborate and adapt to unexpected changes, challenges, and setbacks in the workplace. These skills also help them to leverage the resources to solve problems quickly with low costs allowing them to move on to the next challenge facing the world today in today's complex economy, in particular when facing a pandemic.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.: An IE must be able to break down complex problems into manageable issues and provide solutions for these problems that face the world in today's complex interconnected systems. A background in statistics, design and analysis, process management, and a strong foundation in the engineering disciplines make this possible.
What skills will help Industrial Engineering Managers earn the most?
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.: Good communication and leadership skills that are embedded in their curriculum enable IE's to quickly move up the corporate ladder and become the CEO of the nation's leading companies.
Yasser Dessouky
Professor and ChairSan Jose State University
Industrial and Systems Engineering
What skills stand out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Yasser Dessouky: Besides being very comfortable with various professional social-media platforms, the new engineering students must embrace developing their skills in artificial intelligence and data science techniques. Besides being an excellent team member, today's remote world requires engineers to have independent problem-solving skills for a career to thrive.
What soft skills should all Industrial Engineering Managers possess?
Tom Springer Ph.D.: -Good communication skills
-Ability to exercise critical thinking and innovative problem solving
-Able to work under supervision and mentoring
-Works well in a team-oriented environment
Dr. John Ballato
J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and ProfessorClemson University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
What skills stand out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Dr. John Ballato: The phrase "well rounded" may be getting old, but it's still true. We like to see graduates who didn't just go to class but worked in a laboratory or did a co-op/internship and had various extra-curricular activities, both personal and professional. Remember that materials science and engineering are leveraging computer science more and more, whether through atomistic or microstructural modeling or newer technologies such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). So having some familiarity with those and how they complement experimental/hands-on studies are helpful.
Another point about skills that stand out is a simple one - do your homework. There are few things more irritating than receiving a resume or email asking for a job, and the student clearly didn't care enough to look up what we do. The resume is a copy and paste and isn't personalized to the specific position, Group, or company. That stands out like a sore thumb.
What soft skills should all Industrial Engineering Managers possess?
Dr. John Ballato: To me, the most important soft skill has always been communication. And, due to the pandemic where people have had to isolate and possibly quarantine, effective communications are even that much more critical. We're spending less face-to-face time and more screen-to-screen time, which gets boring quickly. So, paying attention, being clear and concise in your communications since you don't have the opportunities as often now to simply walk into someone's lab or office and talk through ideas and next steps. Effective communications are also especially important in materials science and engineering because our field is innately interdisciplinary. This means that you might be the only materials scientist on a team that includes marketing, sales, manufacturing, etc. Knowing your audience, including your project team, and learning how to communicate with them is critical.
What skills will help Industrial Engineering Managers earn the most?
Dr. John Ballato: Here, too, the answer depends on the field, job position (and location), and organization. MSE graduates generally are well compensated compared to other engineering fields. The most important thing is that you wake up every morning and are excited about the work you're doing. There's no substitute for enjoying your work, regardless of how much you are paid.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Dr. John Ballato: Important hard/technical skills really depend on the nature of the job/position and the organization. This really relates back to the What Skills Stand Out question. Employers want to know that employees have the requisite "toolbox" of basic skills and a willingness and aptitude to learn on the job. No person comes out of school with all the skills and experiences needed for a given job, so organizations inevitably continue to provide training on product-specific skills. Knowing how to learn, wanting to learn, and admitting what you don't know are as important, if not more so, than any hard/technical skills one gains during their education.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Industrial Engineering Manager job market given the pandemic?
Karen Bursic Ph.D.: More and more companies are realizing that many of the things that people do can be done just as effectively at home. I think this is particularly true for many of the things that IEs do...from data analytics to building optimization models to engineering economic analysis. So students don't always have to limit their job searches to a particular geographic region given personals situations and companies have bigger candidate pools for many positions. In addition, IEs typically graduate with plenty of experience in communicating their work in multiple ways including using online platforms. Working at home also means job candidates need strong professional and ethical skills which we often integrate into our IE coursework and many of our students learn via our cooperative education program.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Karen Bursic Ph.D.: Right now, the Lean Six Sigma certifications as well as certifications or coursework in Supply Chain Management.
How have salaries changed over time for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Karen Bursic Ph.D.: This is one area I am really not an expert in although every time I check out entry level salaries for IEs in the Pittsburgh area (which I often cite in student recruitment efforts and look up at least twice a year), I see a steady increase.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Industrial Engineering Managers?
Edward Pines Ph.D.: I believe there will be long-term changes in the job market but mostly in the way students will work when they get a job. Remote work is here to stay for many engineers. Commuting to work and all the lifestyle activities that go with commuting to work will continue to decrease. Developing communication skills and developing teaming skills will become even more important for students and new graduates. As the technology improves, it will likely seem more like traveling to meet with colleagues in other locations. Recruiting will change as well so it will be helpful for students to learn how that area evolves.
What's a good job out of college for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Edward Pines Ph.D.: I like to say a good job is the one that gets you ready for the next job and beyond in your career path. And, even a job that's not ideal can provide a lot of learning. A lot of my job these days is working with student entrepreneurs and some of them are seeking corporate or government sector employment first to develop industry knowledge and experience before developing an entrepreneurial idea. Many engineers learn more about themselves and their interests in their first job. They can develop their social and communication skills at the same time.
What technical skills for an Industrial Engineering Manager stand out to employers?
Edward Pines Ph.D.: Self-directed learning, communications-written and oral, and teaming are critical skills no matter your technical area. In the industrial engineering world, there is a wide range of interests. Industrial engineers might seek careers in area such manufacturing or supply chain or operations research or ergonomics, and in multiple business sectors. So, consider your skills as applied in your area of interest. Statistics and data science are critical no matter where one works in an industrial engineering role. Selling your ideas to stakeholders is a skill that will help you market your technical skills where you work and beyond.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Industrial Engineering Managers?
Tracy Farrell: I believe there will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates. Positively, they are now prepared to work in a variety of work environments: in-person, hybrid, and remote only. Navigating the changing schedules and technologies have put graduates at an advantage.
Negatively, some graduates may not have adjusted well to hybrid or remote only learning; therefore, putting them at a disadvantage to be able to adjust easily and successfully to managing time and organizing their "work space" to be productive in hybrid or remote only environments. These graduates will need to improve time management and organizational skills in order to be successful.
What technical skills for an Industrial Engineering Manager stand out to employers?
Tracy Farrell: Technical skills that employers are seeking include "real" computer skills like Microsoft Office Suite tools, proper communication skills via email and website development and postings, developing proper document format that is appropriate to send to stakeholders (i.e., letter formatting, report writing, email formatting); strong communication skills that include speaking professionally and respectfully to stakeholders as well as writing professionally (i.e., making eye contact when speaking, proper handshake, respectful dialogue including questioning); project management - knowing how to organize work and develop a timeline that includes who will be responsible for what and follow through; data analysis - being able to not only present data in an organized and understandable manner; but, be able to interpret data correctly offering the justification behind what they are interpreting and why.
Respectfully, today's graduates do not understand that being able to text and use social media does not prepare them for "real" computer skills. Many students that I have in high school and in college do not have proper writing skills, document formatting skills, or document management skills to know how to save documents properly and where to save to.
What's a good job out of college for Industrial Engineering Managers?
Tracy Farrell: A "good" job out of college, in my opinion, is an entry-level position with a company that provides advancement. I would recommend that if graduates did not take advantage of internship opportunities, early and often, they will be at a disadvantage to "think they know it all" and have proven not to be as successful. Entry positions offer valuable training and teach transferable skills that can only be gained in entry-level positions (or internships) like communication skills, time management, organization, teamwork, aspects of all positions.
I strongly recommend that a graduate start interning well before they graduate. Internships can serve as "entry-level positions" providing opportunities for learning, growth, and hands-on experience they would not have otherwise. NYS high school business education programs have been offering internships for years, for credit, and many students do not take advantage of these programs.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Industrial Engineering Managers?
Scott Grasman Ph.D.: Hybrid and virtual learning can be effective, but students may lack hands-on experiences in some cases. Graduates from programs that complement instruction with co-op education, and/or have been effective in creating virtual laboratories, will be more successful.
Perhaps more importantly, social dynamics have changed significantly. Students have fewer opportunities to learn from other students or to have meaningful interactions with faculty, which may cause lack of motivation or poor mentoring.
Graduates, however, may benefit from technology changes being implemented in traditional classrooms. As graduates progress in their careers they will likely pursue additional educational opportunities, many in the hybrid or virtual environment with which they have become familiar.
What experience really stands out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Scott Grasman Ph.D.: Graduates that have applied their classroom learning to real work experiences will differentiate themselves from others. Showing that you have particular skills, perhaps through certifications, and highlighting your specific abilities through tangible examples is critical.
In addition to a resume, students could create a portfolio of items that demonstrates their knowledge and ability.
What type of skills will young Industrial Engineering Managers need?
Scott Grasman Ph.D.: Many surveys have highlighted the need for soft skills: listening, communication, etc. Beyond that, graduates should enter the workforce with a curiosity to seek out and solve problems, to look for mentorship, and not be afraid to take on new challenges.
The working environment is always changing so graduates will need the ability to adapt and to learn new skills. It often gets overlooked but graduates must have valuable technical skill or they will be left out.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Industrial Engineering Manager job market given the pandemic?
Charles Purdum: Candidates looking for companies who are effectively managing this uncertain business environment with creativity and diverse mindset to take advantage of students who love a fun, challenging environment.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Charles Purdum: Certification, certification, certifications! Lean or Six Sigma green belt (e.g., ASQ.com), project management (e.g., PMI.com), and leadership skills.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Charles Purdum: Make sure you consider the company culture, management style, and how they treat individuals. It's not all about the money!
Dr. Kanton Reynolds Ph.D.
Director, Undergraduate Programs & Associate Teaching ProfessorNorth Carolina State University
Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Industrial Engineering Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Kanton Reynolds Ph.D.: In addition to the transformation into remote work, I think you will see more companies hiring consultants. This unprecedented time has allowed companies to realize that they can reconceptualize the way they do business. They can be more agile while realizing operational efficiencies that correspond well with the prevailing environment. They will lean on experts to help them recognize the value proposition in transforming their business models. You will see more companies rely on consultants as they move to new paradigms and streamline their operations. They will also want to leverage this contingent group of experts to maximize these transformation opportunities before bringing in additional talent.
What Industrial Engineering Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kanton Reynolds Ph.D.: Today's graduates have to be prepared for the dynamically changing society and the corresponding work environment. With that in mind, they should be proactively engaging in continuous learning so that they can be prepared for the next evolution or disruption in technology. In this case, anything that can enhance data science or data analysis skills is going to be important. Companies now have vast new sources of data to evaluate in making decisions on trends, customer insights, business intelligence, and forecasting. It will be imperative to have a functional understanding of how to navigate this space. In addition, this pandemic has taught us new ways to interact, learn, and collaborate. Learning a new language to help facilitate global business opportunities will certainly be helpful. An increasing number of our students minor in Spanish, participate in study abroad opportunities, and increasingly seek global Internships to hone their skills in this particular area.
What general advice would you give to an Industrial Engineering Manager?
Dr. Kanton Reynolds Ph.D.: These are unusual times, so they require unusual responses to the prevailing circumstances. Think about other types of careers that do not necessarily align fully with how you envisioned leveraging your major in the workforce. For example, engineers may need to look at careers in services instead of design or development. Also, do not discount industries that are fundamental to our society like consumer-packaged goods as potential career options. Lastly, always seek ways to expand your skills and career footprint. Do not allow yourself to be siloed in a role or function that prevents you from responding to shifts in the marketplace with a corresponding skill set.
Dr. Lance Sherry Ph.D.
Director, Center for Air Transportation Systems Research Assoc. Professor, System Engineering and Operations Research Dept.George Mason University
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Industrial Engineering Managers?
Dr. Lance Sherry Ph.D.: No. The need for engineering will continue to grow.
Engineers built the systems that created global warming. What were we thinking? That the atmosphere, waterways, and oceans were infinite sinks and could absorb all the water generated by our systems? Now, the engineers have to design us out of the corner we have painted ourselves into.
What type of skills will young Industrial Engineering Managers need?
Dr. Lance Sherry Ph.D.: Critical thinking - don't take things for granted. Instrumentalize the process, and collect the performance data. Analyse the data, and test hypotheses. Once the problem and issue are understood, then, and only then, develop a solution.
Too many times we rush in with a technology solution that does not really solve the problem.
Also go and listen to the stakeholders. Understand their perspectives and account for these perspectives in the design solution.
Too many times we rush in with a technology solution that causes more problems than it solves because we have not truly understood the perspectives of the stakeholders.
What experience really stands out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Dr. Lance Sherry Ph.D.: Projects: capstone projects and summer intern projects. Not busy work but intellectual work that shows you can design, build, and test a system. This shows that the candidate really understands what it takes to do work in the real world, that the graduate can persevere, and that the graduate can overcome obstacles.
Srinivas R. Chakravarthy Ph.D.
Professor of Industrial Engineering and StatisticsKettering University
Departments of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering & Mathematics
What experience really stands out on Industrial Engineering Manager resumes?
Srinivas R. Chakravarthy Ph.D.: Having an internship or even better co-op experience (like Kettering graduates) goes a long way. This is true for any engineering discipline but more so for Industrial Engineers. While specific engineering programs, such as Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical are well-understood by a common person (based on the names associated with these programs), the same cannot be said about Industrial Engineering. However, if one looks at what industrial engineers do, it will be very clear that they are indeed the backbone for continuous improvement in our day-to-day activities. They work with other engineers, as well as management, and offer ways to improve the products and processes that they are associated with. At the end of the day, the graduates in IE improve the lives of people in one form or the other. A great profession to be in. Thus, having co-op experience gives them a head-start as compared to the others.
How do you envision technology impacting Industrial Engineering Managers in the next 5 years?
Srinivas R. Chakravarthy Ph.D.: Technology is changing every second, and all of us need to adapt to the situations presented. Recent COVID situation has shown that, if only proper data collection and analysis were done, from almost the minute the virus spread was noticed, things would probably be different. This leads to my answer to this question as follows. Technology will enable superfast computing capabilities making Data Analytic and AI to be even more effective in almost all fields, moreso in IE. This is due to the fact data is one of the key ingredients for the IE profession. The faster the data is analyzed, the quicker the decisions will be offered to the management. The reaction time is very critical for the manufacturing and service sectors. Another major development to be seen is in self-driving vehicles (either for personal use or for commercial use), which require data analysis on a different scale, as a small delay in feedback to the system will cause a tremendous cost to the service provider. So IE graduates will step up to the plate in devising schemes working with other engineers and management people.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Industrial Engineering Managers?
Srinivas R. Chakravarthy Ph.D.: Yes, without a doubt. The impact will be both positive and negative. The negatives, unfortunately, would be the (lack of) confidence in the depth and level of the materials learned during (mostly) virtual classes. Virtual classes, as is known, involve different mentality and approach in the learning process. Not all students/faculty are on the same page with regard to the absorption/coverage of the materials. This might have some consequences, initially, but eventually will fade off. So, hopefully, nothing to be overly concerned about. Another negative aspect is, in some courses, hands-on experience has been replaced with videos, and it might take additional time for the graduates to get that knowledge, should that become crucial in their workplace.
With regard to the positive impact of Covid (no pun intended), IEs, with a special background in logistics and supply chain areas will be able to offer solutions. To distribute the millions and millions of vaccines to hospitals, pharmacists, and other service providers to inoculate the citizens across the globe is a real challenge and requires modeling/simulation and strategies. IEs will have to face the challenges and opportunities, and to lead groups of various engineers and scientists across a wide spectrum.