What is Industrial Engineering?

Although industrial engineering is the fourth largest branch of engineering in terms of employment, many people do not know what industrial engineers (IEs) do. Industrial engineers use math, science, and creativity to design and improve work systems that involve equipment, materials, energy, people , information , and money . Industrial engineers focus on people, information, and money more than other engineering disciplines, which typically concentrate on equipment, materials, and energy. Industrial engineers are the “big picture” problem-solvers and, as a result, are hired by all types of companies for their skills. For example, IEs have helped to make hospital emergency rooms more efficient, improve product quality in manufacturing, reduce wait times for rides at theme parks, improve job safety in offices and factories, ensure that goods are delivered without delays, and reduce costs for new equipment.

With an emphasis on decision-making and great flexibility in career path, industrial engineering is an excellent “liberal” education for students entering the modern technical world. Students who like to use math and science to solve problems, like to work with people, and have an interest in business make great industrial engineers. Industrial engineers earn excellent starting salaries, usually similar to those of mechanical engineers. Best of all, job satisfaction surveys reveal that industrial engineers enjoy their jobs; industrial engineering typically ranks in the top 20% of jobs having the highest job satisfaction and is higher than the other major branches of engineering.

According to the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE):

"Industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment, and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems."

- Institute of Industrial Engineers

Who are Industrial Engineers?

IE's enjoy problem solving, math, and science
Like working with people, and
Want a technical and business background

What do IE's study?

With a foundation in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering Science, Humanities, and Social Science, IE’s focus on Process Improvement, Production Control, Operations Research, Systems Simulation, Quality Control, Facility Layout, Project Management, and Engineering Leadership.

What types of jobs do IE's hold?

Process Improvement
Decision Modeling
Quality Engineering
Production Systems Design
Service Systems Design

Where do IE's work?
An IE curriculum gives students the skills to work in many fields that include manufacturing, health care, transportation, distribution, logistics, banking, government, and consulting.

Why study IE at Tennessee Tech?

Bottom Line: Low cost, High value