The overflow of data is the USP for Industrial Engineers
From a technology viewpoint, experts believe that industrial engineers have an edge with the sheer amount of data generated within an organisation (or industry). By tapping into the enormous data pool, it should not be difficult to develop technology-driven industrial solutions on par with the developed economies.
“On par with the latest trend of developing data-driven smart solutions, industrial engineers only tend to gain as their skillsets and experience goes upbeat in such a system,” believes Sharath MN who is a senior industrial engineer working with Aditya Birla in Bengaluru.
Higher studies in industrial engineering and production are seemingly a boon
Apart from career scope and progression, experts also quote an unconventional reason which is the comparatively lucrative career that industrial engineering and production streams offer students.
“I would recommend students to take up industrial engineering at the graduate level, and as Master’s specialisation due to the fact that the latter makes it relatively easier to fetch placements and land jobs. Even advanced research in the domain is slowly becoming an in-thing now,” states Uma HM who is currently pursuing M.Tech in GITAM University at Vishakhapatnam.
Uma states that she has been offered placements by companies that have offered salary packages in the range of ₹6 – ₹8 lakhs per annum. The post Master’s degree career is also looked at upon highly by industry experts.
Skillsets required to work as Industrial Engineers, job prospects, and more
Undoubtedly, a bachelor’s in engineering degree is a fundamental requirement for engineers to take up work as industrial technologists and industrial technology evangelists. Other technical skillsets include AutoCAD, Autodesk, lean manufacturing, automation, development testing, test engineering, Oil & Gas schematics, and other skillsets that vary based on the firm.
Also, since industrial engineering involves development of heuristic models for industries (and society), knowledge of technology advancements such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Deep Learning ideally suit engineers.
As far as work description is concerned, industrial engineers spend their time doing a lot of quality analysis, quality control, machine designing, machine location design, supply chain management, remote industrial management, engineering specifications, monitoring process flows, developing & checking production schedules, and more essential tasks.
Industrial engineers are also involved with almost all levels of industrial machines management, and MIS monitoring.
Designations for fresh engineers include industrial engineers, industrial trainee, production trainee; designations generally vary based on job roles. Pay packages for freshers typically start from ₹2-₹3 lakhs per annum; large companies also generally tend to offer monetary increments irrespective of appraisal cycles, based on outstanding performance (and achievement).
“Industrial engineering offers industry level exposure, which is a value addition in comparison to ITes engineering streams. This should be harnessed effectively by students,” signs-off Albert Lewis.
Therefore, prospective engineers can put on their thinking caps and look at developing societal solutions from the industrial engineering perspective. Experts feel that the effort and time spent are totally worth at the end of the day.
Need to study industrial engineering, in a nutshell
| Industrial Engineering offers enhanced scope and cross-domain work roles |
| Industrial Engineering is multidisciplinary |
| Master’s programs in Industrial Engineering promise fulfilling careers |
| Pay packages offered are generally considered lucrative |
| Manufacturing of efficient solutions driven by technology comes to the forefront |
Experts Consulted
| Dr Radhakrishnan HK | Bengaluru-based expert career counsellor with twenty years of experience |
| Dr M N Kumar Naik | Principal of a well-known engineering college in Bengaluru. |
| Albert Lewis | Engineering profesor who teaches Electronics and Communication ENgineering to students in Mangaluru |
| Rajesh Prasad K | Bengaluru-based independent mechanical engineer who consults for governmental agencies on various projects. |
| Sharath MN | senior industrial engineer working with Aditya Birla in Bengaluru |
| Uma HM | M.Tech student at Gitam University in Vishakhapatnam |
Feel interested! Check out the career guidance for engineers.
