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Industrial engineer

Also called industrial engineers, industry 4.0 specialist, industrial waste engineer

Industrial engineers design a vast array of production systems aiming to present efficient and effective solutions. They integrate a varied number of variables such as workers, technology, ergonomics, production flows, and product specifications for the design and implementation of production systems. They can specify and design for microsystems as well.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Industrial and production engineers · ILO

What you'd do

Industrial and production engineers · ILO
  • Studying functional statements, organizational charts and project information to determine functions and responsibilities of workers and work units and to identify areas of duplication
  • Establishing work measurement programmes and analysing work samples to develop standards for labour utilization
  • Analysing workforce utilization, facility layout, operational data and production schedules and costs to determine optimum worker and equipment efficiencies
  • Developing specifications for manufacture, and determining materials, equipment, piping, material flows, capacities and layout of plant and systems
  • Organizing and managing project labour and the delivery of materials, plant and equipment
  • Establishing standards and policies for installation, modification, quality control, testing, inspection and maintenance according to engineering principles and safety regulations
  • Inspecting plant to improve and maintain performance
  • Directing the maintenance of plant buildings and equipment, and coordinating the requirements for new designs, surveys and maintenance schedules
  • Advising management on new production methods, techniques and equipment
  • Liaising with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies
Approve engineering designAdjust engineering designsOptimise production processes parameters
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Industrial Engineers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of industrial and production engineers now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of industrial and production engineers, 7 a surplus.
Industrial and production engineers · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.37 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Studying functional statements, organizational charts and project information to determine functions and responsibilities of workers and work units and to identify areas of duplication0.46
Analysing workforce utilization, facility layout, operational data and production schedules and costs to determine optimum worker and equipment efficiencies0.46
Establishing work measurement programmes and analysing work samples to develop standards for labour utilization0.44
Developing specifications for manufacture, and determining materials, equipment, piping, material flows, capacities and layout of plant and systems0.39
Establishing standards and policies for installation, modification, quality control, testing, inspection and maintenance according to engineering principles and safety regulations0.36
Liaising with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies0.36
Advising management on new production methods, techniques and equipment0.36
Directing the maintenance of plant buildings and equipment, and coordinating the requirements for new designs, surveys and maintenance schedules0.32
Organizing and managing project labour and the delivery of materials, plant and equipment0.28
Inspecting plant to improve and maintain performance0.24

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for industrial and production engineers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).