How can a process run more efficiently? How can a group of workers improve productivity? These are questions that an industrial engineering technician asks in order to help employees, systems, and machines operate more effectively. These technicians are skilled observers and critical thinkers. They evaluate the performance of other people or organizations and identify potential improvements or changes. They may study the time and steps workers take to do a task, and use that information to establish production or service goals. Industrial engineering technicians also observe how equipment is used and maintained, looking for ways to reduce expenses or improve quality. They apply their skills across all the stages of industrial processes to help businesses minimize inventory costs, increase customer satisfaction, and control project expenses. Most industrial engineering technicians work in factories, stores, healthcare organizations, repair shops, and offices. They typically work on site at locations where products are made and services are delivered. Most work full-time schedules, on teams supervised by industrial engineers. Industrial engineering technicians typically need an associate’s degree or certificate in the field. Community colleges or technical institutes typically offer associate’s degree programs, and vocational–technical schools offer certificate programs. Knowledge of computer-aided design software —or computer skills that will help you learn it— is very useful.
What they do:
Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.
On the job, you would:
Operate nanotechnology compounding, testing, processing, or production equipment in accordance with appropriate standard operating procedures, good manufacturing practices, hazardous material restrictions, or health and safety requirements.
Maintain work area according to cleanroom or other processing standards.
Produce images or measurements, using tools or techniques such as atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, particle size analysis, or zeta potential analysis.
Engineering and Technology
product and service development
computers and electronics
Math and Science
chemistry
physics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Basic Skills
reading work related information
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
use rules to solve problems
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Persistence
Dependability
Integrity
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Analytical or scientific software
Simulation software
SPMLab
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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