Industrial Engineer

by Staff Reporter
If you enjoy problem-solving and have a passion for improving productivity then a career as an Industrial Engineer could be for you.

Career Overview

Industrial Engineers are the individuals responsible for making sure things run smoothly in the production process. Part of their duty is to eliminate wastefulness and finding ways to utilise workers, machines, materials, information and energy to optimise productivity within an organisation.

Skills that are used regularly include time management and excellent listening skills.

Required School Subjects

You will need to have taken the following subjects at high school:

  • English (Home Language or First Additional Language)
  • Pure Mathematics
  • Physical Science 

Recommended subjects:

  • Engineering, Graphics and Design

Institution and APS

The following institutions are highly recommended for studies in Industrial Engineering:

  • University of Pretoria (UP) – APS of 32
  • Stellenbosch University – APS of 660
  • University of Johannesburg (UJ) – APS of 30
  • University of Witwatersrand (Wits) – APS of 42

Required Qualification/s

A Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering is the minimum required qualification. Previous experience is advantageous.

Required Skills

You will need to have the following skills to succeed as an Industrial Engineer:

  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity

Where you can work

As an Industrial Engineer, you will be able to work in any one of the following environments:

  • Aerospace Manufacturing Organisations
  • Machinery Manufacturing Organisations
  • Engineering Organisations

Working Hours

Working hours are standard 8am – 5pm however there are cases where work is carried out into the evening or over the weekends to meet deadlines.

Expected Salary

Industrial Engineers currently earn between R142 000 and R607 000, with an average of R 321 568. Experience and level of qualification are the driving factors, along with the size of the organisation and where it’s located.

What to expect

As an Industrial Engineer, you can expect that most of the work you do is completed indoors with occasional traveling to various locations.

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