Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways for an organisation to use the basic factors of production-people, machines, materials, information, and energy-to make a product or provide a service.

They are the link between management goals and operational performance. They are more concerned with increasing productivity through the management of people, methods of business organisation, and technology than the engineers in other specialties, who generally work more with products or processes.

To solve organisational, production, and related problems most efficiently, industrial engineers carefully study the product and its requirements, use mathematical methods such as operations research to meet those requirements, and design manufacturing and information systems.

Industrial engineers determine which plant location has the best combination of raw materials availability, transportation, and costs. They also develop wage and salary administration systems and job evaluation programs.

Industrial Engineers must also understand ergonomics (which seeks to adapt working conditions to suit the worker) and consider how the machines and work environment affect the worker. They design work stations to reduce fatigue and prevent discomfort and work related injuries. They check the fit of chairs, the positioning of equipment, computers and keyboards, and the height of desks and tables.

Industrial Engineers are sometimes known as manufacturing engineers, operations or systems analysts, process engineers or facilities engineers.

Many industrial engineers move into management positions because the work is closely related.

Qualifications