Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

Also called: Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Industrial Engineering Analyst, Industrial Engineering Technician (Industrial Engineering Tech), Industrial Technician (Industrial Tech), Manufacturing Coordinator, PLC Tech (Programmable Logic Controller Technician), QC Engineering Technician (Quality Control Engineering Technician), Quality Management Coordinator, 3D Printing Tech (Three Dimensional Printing Technician), Additive Manufacturing Production Technician (Additive Manufacturing Production Tech), Additive Manufacturing Technician (Additive Manufacturing Tech), Analysis Tester, Boiler Water Tester, Cloth Tester, Efficiency Analyst, Engineering Technologist, Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech), Final Operations Technician (Final Ops Technician), Industrial Engineering Technologist, Industrial Maintenance Technician (Industrial Maintenance Tech), Industrial Manufacturing Technician (Industrial Manufacturing Tech), Industrial Methods Consultant, Industrial Technologist, Lean Six Sigma Specialist, Manufacturing Associate, Manufacturing Consultant, Manufacturing Engineering Technician (Manufacturing Engineering Tech), Manufacturing Engineering Technologist, Manufacturing Planner, Manufacturing Process Technician (Manufacturing Process Tech), Manufacturing Production Technician (Manufacturing Production Tech), Manufacturing Specialist, Manufacturing Technician (Manufacturing Tech), Manufacturing Technologist, Methods Study Analyst, Methods Time Analyst, Motion Study Analyst, Motion Study Technician, Operations Specialist, Operations Technician, Plant Facilities Technician (Plant Facilities Tech), Plant Technician (Plant Tech), Process Documentation and Methods Analyst, Process Safety Engineering Technologist, Process Technician (Process Tech), Production Control Analyst, Production Control Technologist, Production Technician (Production Tech), QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician), Quality Methods Specialist, Time Motion Analyst, Time Study Analyst, Time Study Technician, Time Study Technologist

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
Oversee or inspect production processes.
Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.
Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Create or interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, formulas, or blueprints for management or engineering staff.
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.
Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Quality Control Analysis
Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation
Judgment and Decision Making
Writing
Speaking
Mathematics
Active Learning

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (52.52% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

55,760–80,280 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-3026.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (52.52% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians