How to become an industrial and manufacturing engineer
Official title: Industrial and manufacturing engineers
Also called: Cost engineer, Plant engineer, Safety engineer, Methods engineer, Efficiency engineer, Industrial engineer, Production engineer, Time-study engineer, Manufacturing engineer, Fire prevention engineer, Quality control engineer, Work measurement engineer
Industrial and manufacturing engineers conduct studies, and develop and supervise programs to achieve the best use of equipment, human resources, technology, materials and procedures to enhance efficiency and productivity. They are employed in consulting firms, manufacturing and processing companies, in government, financial, health care and other institutions, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Plan and design plant layouts and facilities
- Study new machinery and facilities and recommend or select efficient combinations
- Develop flexible or integrated manufacturing systems and procedures
- Conduct studies and implement programs to determine optimum inventory levels for production and to allow optimum utilization of machinery, materials and resources
- Analyze costs of production
- Design, develop and conduct time studies and work simplification programs
- Determine human resource and skill requirements and develop training programs
- Develop performance standards, evaluation systems and wage and incentive programs
How to become one
A bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Ways in
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $86,249 a year The middle half earn $70,317 to $112,671.
- About 20,400 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 22,200 are projected by 2033. (+8.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an industrial and manufacturing engineer?
A bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required. A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
How much does an industrial and manufacturing engineer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $86,249 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $70,317 to $112,671.
Is an industrial and manufacturing engineer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2033, from about 20,400 to about 22,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an industrial and manufacturing engineer?
Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03