Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
(NOC 2141)
in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information TechnologyIndustrial and manufacturing engineers carry out studies and develop and supervise programs to enhance efficiency and productivity through the best use of equipment, human resources, technology, materials, and procedures. Industrial and manufacturing engineers work for consulting firms, manufacturing and processing companies, government, financial, health care and other institutions, or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Good
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Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. However, competition for positions may be low due to few qualified jobseekers. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 68% of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $82,032. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$26.92
Minimum$32.00
Median$69.23
MaximumAnnual Pay
$25,941
Minimum$76,938
Median$128,676
MaximumCompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$18.00
Minimum$37.80
Median$48.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$13,568
Minimum$60,422
Median$107,009
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Industrial and manufacturing engineers carry out studies and develop and supervise programs to enhance efficiency and productivity through the best use of equipment, human resources, technology, materials, and procedures. Industrial and manufacturing engineers work for consulting firms, manufacturing and processing companies, government, financial, health care and other institutions, or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Industrial and manufacturing engineers:
- Plan and design plant layouts and facilities.
- Study new machinery and facilities and recommend or select efficient combinations.
- Develop flexible or integrated manufacturing systems and procedures.
- Conduct studies and implement programs to determine optimum inventory levels for production and to allow optimum use of machinery, materials, and resources.
- Analyze costs of production.
- Design, develop, and conduct time studies and work simplification programs.
- Determine human resource and skill requirements and develop training programs.
- Develop performance standards, evaluation systems and wage and incentive programs.
- Conduct studies of the reliability and performance of plant facilities and production or administrative systems.
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules, and programs.
- Establish programs and conduct studies to enhance industrial health and safety or to identify and correct fire and other hazards.
- Evaluate or assess industrial facilities.
- Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff, and other engineers.
Sample job titles
- computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) engineer
- cost engineer
- efficiency engineer
- industrial engineer
- manufacturing engineer
- plant engineer
- production engineer
- quality assurance (QA) engineer
- safety engineer
Skills
You should be interested in organizing, managing, and integrating automation in the workplace. Persistence, ingenuity, and the ability to think analytically and logically are important. You must be able to communicate and work well with others, as engineers often work in teams. Good judgement, problem-solving, and leadership skills are also expected. Computer experience would be helpful.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or in a related engineering discipline.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Other considerations
The services provided by people in these jobs are becoming more important as firms strive to become more competitive through technologically advanced equipment and more efficient means of production. The rising importance of research into the design and production of new products should also contribute to job openings in these fields. It is essential for workers to keep up to date with changing technology. Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and gain knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practice in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing, or management. There is considerable mobility between industrial engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Supervisory and senior positions in this group require experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Southern
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
Information and cultural industries
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
35-44
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$69,001 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$89,413 median annual incomeMaster
$83,953 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
N/AApprenticeship
N/ACompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
College Diploma
$59,986 median annual incomeBachelor
$63,965 median annual incomeHigh school
$45,835 median annual incomeMaster
$65,105 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$57,773 median annual incomeEducation & training
Engineering - General
University ProgramThese programs prepare individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to solve a wide variety of practical problems in industry, social organization, public works, and commerce.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Truro, NS
Industrial Engineering
University ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, information, and energy. They include courses in applied mathematics, physical sciences, the social sciences, engineering analysis, systems design, computer applications, and forecasting and evaluation methodology.
Institutions providing this program
Marine Sciences
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the study of biology, chemistry, geology and physics applied to marine, estuarine and coastal environments. They include courses in marine biogeochemistry, atmosphere and ocean dynamics, coastal ecology, coastal ocean processes, microbial ecology, marine ecosystem modeling, and polar microbiology.
Institutions providing this program
Materials Engineering
University ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply mathematical and materials science principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and related processes used in manufacturing in a wide variety of settings, the synthesis of new industrial materials, including marrying and bonding composites, analysis of materials requirements and specifications, and related problems of system design dependent on materials factors.
Institutions providing this program
Mathematics
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. They include courses in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Mechanical Engineering
University ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of physical systems used in manufacturing and end-product systems used for specific uses, including machine tools, jigs and other manufacturing equipment, stationary power units and appliances, engines, self-propelled vehicles, housings and containers, hydraulic and electric systems for controlling movement, and the integration of computers and remote control with operating systems.
Institutions providing this program
Physical Sciences
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the major topics, concepts, processes, and interrelationships of physical phenomena as studied in any combination of physical science disciplines.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.