In the Air Force:
Developmental Engineer; Developmental Engineer, Aeronautical; Developmental Engineer, Astronautical; Developmental Engineer, C2ISREW; Developmental Engineer, Electrical/Electronic; Developmental Engineer, Flight Test; Developmental Engineer, Helicopter or EWO; Developmental Engineer, Project; Developmental Engineer, Special Operations; Developmental Engineer, Tanker
In the Army:
Systems Automation Acquisition and Engineering
In the Navy:
Electronic Engineering Plans and Policies Director; Training Device Program Coordinator; Weapons Plans and Policies Director; Weapons and Ammunition Production Officer
While originally focused on streamlining manufacturing processes, the field of industrial engineering now improves processes and systems in virtually all industries, to make them more efficient, yielding less waste, and costing less. To maximize efficiency, industrial engineers balance many factors such as the number and type of workers involved in a process, available equipment, safety, environmental impact, and cost. They might design faster production methods… choose new materials to make longer-lasting products… or devise ways to move customers through a line faster at an amusement park. Some engineers focus entirely on automated manufacturing and work with robots and computer networks. Industrial engineers often rely on teams to identify problems and solutions in their work. They generally work in offices… or travel to the settings they are analyzing to identify improvements. For example, they may watch workers assemble parts in a factory, then return to an office to analyze the data they have collected. Most industrial engineers work full time, but hours may vary depending on the needs of specific projects. Industrial engineers need a bachelor’s degree, in industrial engineering or a related engineering field. Employers value practical experience in the field, which many programs offer as part of a degree program.
What they do:
Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.
On the job, you would:
Troubleshoot new or existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes.
Investigate or resolve operational problems, such as material use variances or bottlenecks.
Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve manufacturing processes or products or to reduce costs, using knowledge of fabrication processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, or product design, materials and parts.
Engineering and Technology
product and service development
mechanical
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
reading work related information
using math to solve problems
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
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Ideas and Logic
group things in different ways
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
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
Integrity
Analytical Thinking
Dependability
Cooperation
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Desktop communications software
Eko
Electronic mail software
IBM Notes
Microsoft Outlook
bachelor's degree or associate's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.