How to become an industrial engineering and manufacturing technologist or technician
Official title: Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
Also called: Textile technician, Planning technician, Plastics technician, Textile technologist, Plant layout technician, Time study technologist, Manufacturing technician, Pulp and paper technician, Fabric design technologist, Manufacturing technologist, Pulp and paper technologist, Inventory control technician
Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians may work independently or provide technical support and services in the development of production methods, facilities and systems, and the planning, estimating, measuring and scheduling of work. They are employed by manufacturing and insurance companies, government departments, and establishments in other industries.
Main tasks
- Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists
- Develop and conduct production, inventory and quality assurance programs in manufacturing or in other industries
- Design plant layouts and production facilities
- Develop and carry out work study and related programs
- Develop and carry out industrial health, safety and fire prevention plans and programs and conduct safety training programs
- Develop applications using CAD/CAM (computer-assisted drafting, computer-assisted manufacturing) for the control of robots, computer numerical control (CNC) machines and other manufacturing processes and operations
- Industrial engineering and manufacturing technicians
- Assist in the design of plant layouts
How to become one
Completion of a two- or three-year college program or equivalent in industrial engineering technology, pulp and paper technology, plastics technology, textile technology, manufacturing technology or a related discipline is usually required for industrial engineering or manufacturing technologists. Completion of a one- or two-year college program in industrial engineering technology or in a related discipline is usually required for industrial engineering or manufacturing technicians. Certification in industrial engineering or manufacturing technology or in a related field is available through provincial or territorial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required for some positions. A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification. A college diploma in manufacturing technology and/or trade certification and experience in machining and tooling or metalworking is required for CAD-CAM/CNC programmers. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 43% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Precision metal working; Industrial production technologies/technicians; Mechanical engineering.
- Licence or registration: In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $60,938 a year The middle half earn $48,750 to $75,368.
- About 22,400 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 25,400 are projected by 2033. (+13.4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- Construction estimators
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Questions people ask
How do I become an industrial engineering and manufacturing technologist or technician?
Completion of a two- or three-year college program or equivalent in industrial engineering technology, pulp and paper technology, plastics technology, textile technology, manufacturing technology or a related discipline is usually required for industrial engineering or manufacturing technologists. Completion of a one- or two-year college program in industrial engineering technology or in a related discipline is usually required for industrial engineering or manufacturing technicians. Certification in industrial engineering or manufacturing technology or in a related field is available through provincial or territorial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required for some positions. A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification. A college diploma in manufacturing technology and/or trade certification and experience in machining and tooling or metalworking is required for CAD-CAM/CNC programmers. In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
How much does an industrial engineering and manufacturing technologist or technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $60,938 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $48,750 to $75,368.
Is an industrial engineering and manufacturing technologist or technician a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2033, from about 22,400 to about 25,400 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an industrial engineering and manufacturing technologist or technician?
Not always. 27% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
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