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What is an Industrial Engineer?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered November 16 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Engineers have spent considerable time and effort dedicated to finding ways to improve and increase the efficiency and profitability of production processes since the rise of industrialism. Modern Industrial Engineers, like their predecessors, continue to strive to keep pushing the limitations of technology to new boundaries.    
       
This branch of Engineering primarily focuses on industrial and manufacturing fields, where Industrial Engineers use their skills and creativity together with a company's workforce equipment and resources to optimize systems for better productivity. They are responsible for devising innovative approaches to eliminate wastefulness in production processes, going as far as creating and designing specialized machinery used to produce various goods, including food, appliances, objects, and vehicles when needed. They also focus on preventing unnecessary expenses and improving the cost-effectiveness of resources.    
   
You can find professional Industrial Engineers working in an office setting while examining data and producing viable solutions or at the plant or factory when they need to observe plant processes. If hired by an international company, Industrial Engineers will need to travel to make the appropriate observations and assessments.  
  

Personality of an Industrial Engineer
  • They are experts in communication  
Industrial Engineers make multiple touchpoints with colleagues and clients throughout the day. Not only does it put their skills into practice, but it helps with mastering the skill over time. In this line of work, communication is critical. Engineers need to listen carefully to the needs of clients to address their concerns adequately. Not only that, but they also need to give clear instructions to their team.   

  • They have a knack for problem-solving 
Some people are born with it, and some struggle to learn this skill over time. For Industrial Engineers, problem-solving is easy because they've mastered the skill, relying on solution-based ideas and a mind for quality assurance. Problem-solving goes beyond time and cost-saving solutions when safety comes to mind. These professionals make it their priority to ensure the safety of their colleagues and others on a job site.  

  • They tend to be critical thinkers 
This fact shouldn't come as a surprise. Engineers are innately analytical, using logical reasoning and expert-level critical thinking skills in their work. In action, critical thinking for Industrial Engineers is all about finding innovative solutions, identifying weaknesses in manufacturing processes and systems, and focusing on strengthening them.
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