Post job
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Industrial process engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.,
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical industrial process engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for industrial process engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.4% of industrial process engineer resumes contained process design as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an industrial process engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 industrial process engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Process Design

Process design is the act of creating a result-driven process that will lead to the achievement of an organization's goals, visions, and objectives. At its core, process design is the defines the processes and strategies that an organization can implement into achieving its lofty aims and objectives. It's usually presented in form of an infographic labeling each stage and with arrows showing the hierarchy of the steps.

Here's how industrial process engineers use process design:
  • Provide processing engineering support to operation including troubleshooting, process design and testing.
  • Implement process designs, testing, making modification and commissioning the process.

2. Sigma

In Greek alphabets, sigma is the 18th letter that means "to sum up". In statistics, the lower case symbol of sigma is the unit of measurement for standard deviation which is used to assess the variability in a given set of data. While the upper case symbol is for summation notation means to add up all the given numbers in the data set.

Here's how industrial process engineers use sigma:
  • Sponsored several Six Sigma Black Belt projects focusing on quality and productivity related issues.
  • Completed a Design for Six Sigma project that developed a bill of process for door line assembly.

3. Autocad

Here's how industrial process engineers use autocad:
  • Draft and designed layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using AutoCad.
  • Create work instruction and train production operators COMPUTER SKILLSSoftware: MS Office, MS Project, Atlas Copco Tools Talk, AutoCAD

4. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how industrial process engineers use lean manufacturing:
  • Developed the manufacturing process of the lean manufacturing cell managing and incorporating ergonomic principles.
  • Spearheaded lean manufacturing team structure within hourly/support groups to problem-solve and /improve processes.

5. Kaizen

Kaizen is a Japanese term derived from the words "kai-" which means "Change" and "zen" for good. In short, Kaizen means "change for the better," or it could also mean "continuous improvement." It is a term used for the process that continuously improves all employees. Kaizen believes in the improvement in productivity in a gradual and methodological approach. This improvement could happen by making the workplace more efficient and effective by improving team atmosphere, making the job less tiring and fulfilling and safer for the employees. Members of a company are expected to suggest an improvement when they encounter a problem.

Here's how industrial process engineers use kaizen:
  • Trained several of the engineers in the basics of Kaizen, Five S, capacity planning and SMED.
  • Participated in continuous improvement projects - Kaizen, Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED).

6. Data Analysis

Here's how industrial process engineers use data analysis:
  • Coordinated capacity metric data analysis within Industrial Engineering group to assist factory level analyses and decision making.
  • Interviewed and collected data from stakeholders across multiple agencies; performed quantitative/qualitative data analysis; developed and validated program requirements.

Choose from 10+ customizable industrial process engineer resume templates

Build a professional industrial process engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your industrial process engineer resume.

7. Production Process

The production process is a series of events and industrial activities that come into play when raw material are delivered onto the production facility for manufacturing. The process involves different steps of production from start to finish such as; research, design formation, design testing, product manufacturing, and assembly according to the design, product experimentations, and supply.

Here's how industrial process engineers use production process:
  • Applied best practice based manufacturing and logistics management techniques to the production process.
  • Developed plant layouts for new Hardsurface production process using Visio and Auto Cad.

8. Process Improvement

Here's how industrial process engineers use process improvement:
  • Assisted Program Manager and business stakeholders with the development, evaluation, testing, and implementation of business process improvements.
  • Led the company in Continuous Improvement Projects and high level process improvement activities contributing to overall operating cost reductions.

9. Product Quality

Product quality is the basic element of a business. It means to add features in a product or service in such a way that it meets the needs and wants of the customers. Enhancing the product quality also means improve the goods from any existing defects to ensure customer satisfaction.

Here's how industrial process engineers use product quality:
  • Investigated cost-saving measures reducing turn-around time and increasing product quality by eliminating duplication for four of the company's key products.
  • Devised methods to maintain product quality and facilitate manufacturing including the authoring of many Standard Operating Procedures and conducting employee training.

10. Production Lines

Here's how industrial process engineers use production lines:
  • Perform root cause analysis and corrective action implementation on chassis production lines.
  • Resulted in self-balancing production lines.

11. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how industrial process engineers use r:
  • Developed and used X-bar R charts to determine process variation for dry film thickness of paint process.
  • Experienced in writing protocols, reports and conducting tests for Gage R and R of measurement equipment.

12. Production Schedules

The project plan of a film or a documentary that highlights how a production budget will be spent over a given period until its completion is called a production schedule. The scheduling process starts with writing and analyzing the script, which is then broken down to determine and allocate the budget for each scene. The production schedule also includes several elements of the film including; cast actors, special effects, wardrobe, special equipment, stunts, extras, silent bits, production equipment, and many others.

Here's how industrial process engineers use production schedules:
  • Provided manufacturing decision-making information by calculating production, labor, and material costs; reviewing production schedules; estimating future requirements.
  • Manage entire inbound inspection process by prioritizing process relationships between Inspector, Customer Service and Production Scheduler.

13. Value Stream

A value stream applies to any of the phases or stages that a buyer has the willingness to pay to transport a product or service across the main flows needed to manufacture the product or service.

Here's how industrial process engineers use value stream:
  • Performed continuous improvement activities including value stream assessments and RCCA.
  • Created value stream maps in order to calculate lead times for all the facilities products families.

14. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how industrial process engineers use continuous improvement:
  • Enhanced manufacturing processes (manufacturing systems, lean, continuous improvement)
  • Implement and lead continuous improvement initiatives and programmed, in conjunction with other departmental heads, customers and suppliers.

15. Capital Projects

A capital project is a long-term project carried out by professional teams to build, improve, maintain or develop a huge project that will help improve the asset of a city. This project involves a significant and constant flow of investments. A capital project can be new construction, the purchase of land or property, leasing a property, the renovation of an existing building, or the purchase of new equipment.

Here's how industrial process engineers use capital projects:
  • Managed capital projects for laser coder on three swatch lines savings $43K in label and print cost.
  • Manage capital projects from feasibility stage to closure.
top-skills

What skills help Industrial Process Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on industrial process engineer resumes?

Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chemistry Program Coordinator, Assistant Chair, University of Houston - Downtown

Apart from a good foundation in the chemistry discipline, skills that will stand out on resumes include: experience in various analytical techniques, excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, ability to work collaboratively (team player), and the ability to think critically to find solutions to problems (problem solving). Another valuable skill nowadays would be to be competent in the use of technology for communication purposes (Zoom, etc.).

What soft skills should all industrial process engineers possess?

Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, North Dakota State University

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 process engineers?

Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, North Dakota State University

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 industrial process engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Kamran AbediniDr. Kamran Abedini LinkedIn profile

Professor and Chairman, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

First of all, I do not recommend a gap year or any interruptions in education as it could require additional warm-up and setup for starting it again in the future. However, if they "need" to do so, I recommend they at least take one course so that they understand the trend and the expectations of students in an educational environment. For example, in the last couple of semesters, both faculty and students have learned and experienced new methods of virtual learning and assessment. If you just plan on coming to school after a few semesters, you would be highly surprised by the changes, taking you much time to prepare, and it would cause falling behind your coursework.

What type of skills will young industrial process engineers need?

Diran ApelianDiran Apelian LinkedIn profile

Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Director Advanced Casting Research Center (ACRC), University of California

Talent will be the most in-demand asset in the 21st century. It is not about capitalism or socialism - the 21st century is all about "talentism".

Those graduates who will succeed and lead will have:
an understanding of the human dimension;
the ability to harvest the data revolution;
skills in line with the Industry 4.0 pathways; and
commercial and business acumen.

What technical skills for an industrial process engineer stand out to employers?

Tracy FarrellTracy Farrell LinkedIn profile

Adjunct Instructor, Clarkson University

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.

List of industrial process engineer skills to add to your resume

Industrial process engineer skills

The most important skills for an industrial process engineer resume and required skills for an industrial process engineer to have include:

  • Process Design
  • Sigma
  • Autocad
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Kaizen
  • Data Analysis
  • Production Process
  • Process Improvement
  • Product Quality
  • Production Lines
  • R
  • Production Schedules
  • Value Stream
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Capital Projects
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Technical Support
  • Plant Layout
  • Cost Savings
  • ISO
  • Cost Reduction
  • Assembly Line
  • Process Control
  • SPC
  • ERP
  • Production Standards
  • P Id
  • BOM
  • SMED
  • Extrusion
  • Labor Standards
  • Facility Layout
  • CNC
  • FMEA
  • OEE
  • Flow Charts
  • Process Validation
  • Cost Estimates
  • Capacity Planning
  • Production Floor
  • SMT
  • TPM
  • MRP
  • Material Flow
  • Motion Studies
  • WIP

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs