Have you ever considered who are behind the increase of company productivity? These are industrial engineers, specially trained to find cost-efficient methods to increase the manufacturing processes. Possessing excellent science and mathematics ability, industrial engineers are responsible for increasing a company’s productivity through cost-effective solutions. Companies have a continuous demand for these engineers to design their resource management systems and reducing the overall company cost. To become an industrial engineer, it is essential to know the job description, educational qualification and career prospects in this field of engineering.

Job Description
Industrial engineers are responsible for looking after each component of the entire manufacturing process. Whether it is the supply chain, the information or the human resource, these engineers are specially trained to maximize the productivity and efficiency of each component. The job of engineers is quite challenging, as they need to regularly come up with effective and productive solutions for cost analysis, workplace safety procedures, supply chain management etc.

They are hired by companies to work out the best solutions with an excellent combination of people and technology. Industrial engineers decide the best plant location for a wide range of businesses. Since the job of an industrial engineer has a close similarity with managerial responsibilities, they also take up management positions in companies.

While working in companies, industrial engineers are responsible to be accountable for a host of responsibilities which include the following.

• Designing, developing and evaluating integrated system for businesses
• Managing industrial manufacturing processes
• Managing human resources
• Managing quality control and inventory control
• Managing logistics and material flow
• Managing cost analysis and production coordination

Educational Qualification & Training
The minimum requirement for becoming an industrial engineer is a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business management or any other relevant field. Candidates who wish to take up senior level or advanced position need to obtain a master’s degree in a relevant field along with good working experience in this field of engineering. The typical coursework of industrial engineering degree programs include computers, chemistry, electronics, physics, ergonomics, manufacturing, business, social sciences and mathematics among others. Engineers may also need to fulfill some licensure requirement depending on which state they are employed in. For career advancement, engineers can also acquire certification in specialties like project management, supply chain management from institutes like the Institute of Industrial Engineers.

Obtaining License to Become Certified
Depending on the state where you are employed, you will also need to obtain licenses. To acquire this engineering license, candidates need to complete their degree program from an accredited institution, possess 4-5 of working experience and pass to state examinations including the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). Recertification is required periodically to remain a certified industrial engineer.

Job Skills
Besides having a degree in industrial engineering, candidates also need to possess some essential job skills to remain competitive and make the most of their careers as industrial engineers. These skills include creative thinking, decision making, problem solving and excellent communication (both verbal and written).

Career Outlook
In the year 2006, around 201,000 industrial engineers were employed in the United States. Career prospects are excellent in this field. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an employment growth rate faster than the average of all other occupations. The job growth will occur at the rate of 20% from the year 2006 through to the year 2016.

Annual Salary
Salaries of industrial engineers vary depending on the work location, educational qualification, training, additional certification and working experience. Entry level engineering jobs fetch an annual salary ranging between $44,110 and $62,722. Majority of these engineers earn between $48,877 and $58,619 annually.  

The median annual salary for industrial engineers in different location of the United States is as follows.

Northeast : $56,000
Middle Atlantic : $55,400
South : $52,200
Midwest : $53,400
West : $55,400

Also sometimes referred to as naval architects, marine engineers are involved in the designing of maritime crafts including naval ships, oil tankers, submarines and other related seagoing crafts and equipment. The work of a marine engineer is quite diverse, owing to the wide range of crafts and floating equipment. Depending on their interest and the diverse marine engineering career possibilities, these engineers may also choose to specialize in the designing and construction of a specific kind of seagoing craft. Job opportunities for marine engineers are available both in government departments and the public sector including national defense departments, ship builders and oil companies among others.

Job Description
Job responsibilities of marine engineers may vary depending on where they choose to work and the specific requirements of employers. These engineering professionals spend most of their time in office, creating prototype models for new crafts, ships and other floating equipment. Crafts that move through water come in multiple shapes and sizes. Marine engineers' major role is to supervise the designing of these crafts and inspect the seagoing crafts and other equipment to ensure proper functioning and complete safety.

For creating prototypes for new ship design, engineers make use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Whether it is a submarine, roll-on-roll-off care ferry, sailboats, aircraft carriers, oil tankers or naval ships, marine engineers are formally trained to work on the designs of all these seagoing crafts. There are multiple aspects to the designing of a ship. Some of the important factors include the weight of the ship, altitude of its center of gravity, stability of the ship, steering, navigation of the vessel, propulsion etc. Engineers need to work on the all these aspects of marine crafts and put together the systems to create completely safe and stable crafts for the crew to sail.

Besides spending much of their time in office creating new craft designs, marine engineers may also work in the shipbuilding yard. Right from the stage of laying the keel to finally launching the vessel, engineers work on multiple types of constructions, plan and schedule work during the entire procedure. Managing engineers have profitable careers awaiting them.

Educational Requirement & Training
A bachelor's degree in marine engineering is the minimum requirement to obtain entry level jobs in this field. Candidates can also land jobs in this field of engineering with a degree in mechanical engineering or ocean engineering. Those who aspire to become a merchant marine engineering officer need to fulfill the licensure requirements. Apart from that, candidates need to obtain a graduate degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, or from any of the six state academies. A master's degree in marine engineering is required to have a successful career in this field. Students also need to think carefully before they decide to get enrolled in an engineering program. Do remember to go through the detailed coursework of the marine engineering degree program that you enroll into.

Career Prospects in Marine Engineering
The field of marine engineering offers diverse career possibilities. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for these jobs are expected to grow as fast as the average of all other professions, increasing 11% from 2006 through to the year 2016. The need for these professionals will increase with the increase in the demand of sailboats, naval ships, military ships and vessels. Job positions will also arise as a large number of professionals reach their age of retirement or leave this engineering field for their own reasons.

Annual Salary
Salaries of marine engineers vary depending on the geographical location and the years of experience professionals carry. The median annual salary of most of the professionals is $84,672. A marine engineer's salary ranges between $53,534 and $120,325.

The field of mechanical engineering deals with the application of physics and other science fields for creating useful vehicles, structures and other mechanical objects. Candidates can either take up the general path to become a mechanical engineer or specialize in a field of interest - aerospace, automotive, robotics etc. Engineers are trained to utilize a variety of skills and techniques for designing, development and testing of mechanical objects. A mechanical engineer can either work alone or as part of a team, depending on the nature of the project undertaken. Given below are details on the job description, how to get trained, job skills required and career prospects.

Job Description
A host of expert technical skills are required for becoming a successful mechanical engineer. These professionals play an important role in the creation of effective tools for a wide range of industries. For instance, the engineer may be given the task of formulating an air-conditioner which is better and more efficient than the existing air-conditioning equipment. Mechanical engineers may also be busy checking flaws in various equipment and engineering products. Computer efficiency is a must to have a successful career as a mechanical engineer. The designing and documentation work behind engineering research is often done with the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD).

The work environment and the work setting of mechanical engineers depend on the industry they choose and their job description. Though engineers spend most of their time in front of computer, they may also be involved in some hands-on work with mechanical objects, materials and structures. Engineering professionals are involved in a variety of projects that may include working on engines, tools and machines to make them more efficient and user-friendly.

Mechanical engineers are employed not only in the development and manufacturing field, but they are also found in fields like sales, maintenance and management. The field of mechanical engineering is not a limited field, but it encompasses a wide range of disciplines. These engineers remain busy in the development, repair and testing of a variety of mechanical structures and objects. Some of these are listed below.

Machines
Engines
Tools
Turbines
Generators
Air-conditioning Equipment
Refrigeration System
Industrial Manufacturing Equipment
Elevators
Robotics Manufacturing

Educational Requirement & Training
Candidates who aspire to become a mechanical engineer need to have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. The bachelor's degree is the least requirement for obtaining entry level jobs in this field of engineering. A master's degree helps candidates in landing higher salary jobs and making the most of their career. If you want to enter the area of management, you can also decide to obtain a master's degree in engineering management. Engineers who serve the public also need to fulfill the necessary licensing requirements.

To be able to obtain this license and become a licensed mechanical engineer, candidates need to first complete a degree program which is approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), pass two exams (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam) along with spending a few years as an engineering intern or engineer-in-training.

 Job Skills
To remain competitive in this field, candidates also need to possess some other essential skills. Core engineering knowledge and continued professional development are essential to making a successful career. Skills that candidates needs to have include a string knowledge of mechanical systems, a solid understanding of engineering design principles, problem solving capability, excellent communication skills, mathematical skills, information technology skills, power of visualization, persistence and determination among others.

Career Prospects
In the year 2006, the United States had employed around 227,000 mechanical engineers. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for mechanical engineering jobs is expected to increase at a rate of 4% through to the year 2016. However, industries like biotechnology, nanotechnology and materials science will bring the maximum job opportunities.

Annual Salary
The annual salary for entry level job positions ranges between $49,333 and $68,268. Mechanical engineers who work for the federal government earn a high salary of around $84,720 annually. Salaries also vary depending on the geographical location and the work experience you carry.