About This Career

Designs, develops, tests, and evaluates integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Engineering and Technology pathway.

A person in this career:

• Estimates production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Plans and establishes sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
• Analyzes statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
• Confers with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
• Communicates with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
• Evaluates precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
• Recommends methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
• Records or oversees recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
• Drafts and designs layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency using drafting tools and computer.
• Directs workers engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel