re: Question For Industrial Engineers of the OT

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“industrial engineers solve problems with practical solutions”

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Yet I cannot find a specific example of a problem/solution that they would encounter on the job.

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Well for starters, there's one right there. While engineers are extremely intelligent, they seem to rest their laurels on that and just go with it. When in fact, there are times that it may make the most sense of any options (on paper) and it may be the most logical (on paper) - yet not everything works so simply like that. Especially when you have several factors at play (unexpected chemical reactions, type of metal involved, ambient temperature, moisture and humidity, the rates you're running at, etc.) This is a never ending feud between any Run Plant engineer and operations. That's why I made the joke I made earlier. There's your problem. The solution is to stop before you make a decision, and discuss with all parties involved in the process (including and especially operators who have an inside view). Work as a team, and not as a wannabe drill sergeant who refuses to take input.

Or, don't do that and create more problems and double/triple the work.

Engineers I know make fun of IEs.
Call it "Imaginary Engineering".

(no message)

Good stuff, thanks

My side job is industrial engineering to supplement my windshield job income.

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Can someone give me a real-world problem that you have faced while working as an industrial engineer?

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You have to be synergistic.

Now, if you have a plant that never gives you comments on the design, it’s tough; especially when they complain after the installation.

Where were these comments during the early design and, more importantly, the IFA review?

There are a lot of IE CEOs. Tim Cook is probably one of the most currently famous IEs.

I have an IE degree. My current job required it. But over the years i have come to understand it more. IE is basically everything covered under one umbrella. You know a little bit of each engineering discipline to understand it but not actually do it. I can understand, problem solve, support other engineers. But i cant actually do calculations and sign off on anything.

Because of this broad learning spectrum, its pretty easy to take an IE and make them a supervisor, operator, CEO, etc. Most that i know do some kind of Quality Assurance, Project oversight.

I do metallurgical failure analysis and quality assurance for oilfield.

I work as an IE in a manufacturing facility. While what I am used for has changed over the years mostly my focus has been on finding processes improvements to increase productivity and/or methods to reduce our cost to manufacture product. Another major focus is quoting new business/processes. Also, helping management identify and explain cost drivers.

Somehow I have also been the role of maintaining our ERP system (Oracle).

I don't know exactly what they do but......

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IE = Imaginary Engineer

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I know for a fact they get pissed off when the above is mentioned.