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What is a manufacturing/industrial engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Michael Rudisill,
David Blunck Ph.D.

As a manufacturing program manager, you would be responsible for coordinating efforts in the company and managing projects. Of course, you will be required to work in manufacturing companies which could be automobile companies. Your responsibilities include providing coaching and mentoring to the team and creating a collaborative and enabling work environment.

You will also create and drive project schedules, delegate tasks, monitor schedule progress, and ensure that the goals and priorities of each project are taken care of. You will also be expected to collaborate with the staff and management of multiple business units, design teams, and other relevant units to clearly outline project goals, expectations, and tasks.

An average manufacturing program manager earns $69,752 annually, which is valued at $33.53 an hour. Relevant skills for every manufacturing program manager are sigma, project management, logistics, team leadership, and production control. The most commonly required educational qualification is a bachelor's degree in business or any relevant engineering field.

What general advice would you give to a manufacturing/industrial engineer?

Michael RudisillMichael Rudisill LinkedIn profile

Department Head and Professor of Engineering Technology, Northern Michigan University

Patience will be a key - there will be many jobs available - we have been contacted by several employers looking for grads. Still, it certainly is not like we have seen historically. As the economy comes out of the COVID recession, engineering jobs will come back very quickly. By the spring graduation, I think we will be pretty close to back to a somewhat familiar employment picture.
ScoreManufacturing/Industrial EngineerUS Average
Salary
6.0

Avg. Salary $77,045

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 13.67%

Black or African American 4.73%

Hispanic or Latino 11.62%

Unknown 3.95%

White 65.87%

Gender

female 15.39%

male 84.61%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Manufacturing/industrial engineer career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing/industrial engineer

  1. Explore manufacturing/industrial engineer education requirements

    Most common manufacturing/industrial engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.3 %

    Master's

    13.0 %

    Associate

    11.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific manufacturing/industrial engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CAD7.12%
    Lean Manufacturing6.64%
    Sigma5.25%
    Process Flow4.74%
    Project Management4.67%
  3. Complete relevant manufacturing/industrial engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing/industrial engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing/industrial engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing/industrial engineer resumes.
  4. Research manufacturing/industrial engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
    • Used DMAIC process to identify that the pre coat glass process are not necessary saving $510K.
    • Resolve manufacturing and system concerns through DMAIC process resulting in identification of opportunity in improvements.
    • Champion ergonomics evaluation team, assess manufacturing projects for ergonomic risk and generate solutions to resolve or mitigate risk exposure.
  5. Prepare your manufacturing/industrial engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manufacturing/industrial engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a manufacturing/industrial engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable manufacturing/industrial engineer resume templates

    Build a professional manufacturing/industrial engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your manufacturing/industrial engineer resume.
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
    Manufacturing/Industrial Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for manufacturing/industrial engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a manufacturing/industrial engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first manufacturing/industrial engineer job

Zippi

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Average manufacturing/industrial engineer salary

The average manufacturing/industrial engineer salary in the United States is $77,045 per year or $37 per hour. Manufacturing/industrial engineer salaries range between $60,000 and $98,000 per year.

Average manufacturing/industrial engineer salary
$77,045 Yearly
$37.04 hourly

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How do manufacturing/industrial engineers rate their job?

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Manufacturing/industrial engineer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Improve 5's & increase productivity, manpower reduction...n+/- concept..

Cons

Can be managed accordingly situation.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

very little


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I like creating and discovering new perspecrive and eliminate waste thinga.

Cons

I dont like people whi dont share of knowledge.


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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.

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