4 answers
Griffin
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
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What are the main tasks that engineers do in a day?
#engineer #engineering
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4 answers
Francisco Torres Diaz
Industrial Engineer, MSE, MBA
69
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Francisco’s Answer
Hi Griffin!
Engineer's day-to-day will be very different depending on the field of engineering they are in, and what kind of environment they work in. I personally am an Industrial Engineering working in a manufacturing facility so my day usually varies but in general flows like this:
1. Get to work, check emails, check my task list and enjoy a nice cup of coffee (fundamental step)
2. I have meetings or send communications to get updates on different projects to make sure stakeholders are aware of the progress, and also making sure the team is staying on track. These projects include installing new equipment, adding automation to machines, redesigning production cell, etc.
3. Work on open tasks like documenting processes, updating product labor cost, creating presentations for leadership, working on CAD to update our plant layout, among other things
4. Participate in meetings to discuss safety issues, quality concerns, or ways to improve our plant as a whole
5. Checking on my direct report's work to make sure they are staying on track and have all the resources they need to be successful
6. Throughout the day respond to any urgent items that may pop-up or change in priorities that need to be addressed
7. Participate in design reviews for new machines, automation, plant layouts, safety projects, etc to provide the Industrial Engineering input
8. Update weekly/monthly trackers for my projects to ensure we keep track of open tasks, pending items, and any issues that need to be escalated
9. Work with all the different functions to answer questions relating to my work or help issues they might have including the finance, operations, and materials teams
10. Make some time to talk with my manager, mentor, or other colleagues about concerns or good progress that has taken place throughout the last few weeks to receive guidance or provide them with context of my work
Overall, there's a lot that goes on and could be happening in a given day, but basically revolves around working on projects, collaborating with others, providing on-time accurate updates, and making sure the right people are involved in the new ways to improve our facility. Industrial Engineers seek to make positive change to make our processes more efficient and safer for our workers, and our goal is to be able to improve performance without compromising quality, capacity or safety. We are involved in every level of production, manufacturing, and finances, which is why it is important to communicate effectively and learn to work cross-functionally.
If you have any specific questions let me know.
Engineer's day-to-day will be very different depending on the field of engineering they are in, and what kind of environment they work in. I personally am an Industrial Engineering working in a manufacturing facility so my day usually varies but in general flows like this:
1. Get to work, check emails, check my task list and enjoy a nice cup of coffee (fundamental step)
2. I have meetings or send communications to get updates on different projects to make sure stakeholders are aware of the progress, and also making sure the team is staying on track. These projects include installing new equipment, adding automation to machines, redesigning production cell, etc.
3. Work on open tasks like documenting processes, updating product labor cost, creating presentations for leadership, working on CAD to update our plant layout, among other things
4. Participate in meetings to discuss safety issues, quality concerns, or ways to improve our plant as a whole
5. Checking on my direct report's work to make sure they are staying on track and have all the resources they need to be successful
6. Throughout the day respond to any urgent items that may pop-up or change in priorities that need to be addressed
7. Participate in design reviews for new machines, automation, plant layouts, safety projects, etc to provide the Industrial Engineering input
8. Update weekly/monthly trackers for my projects to ensure we keep track of open tasks, pending items, and any issues that need to be escalated
9. Work with all the different functions to answer questions relating to my work or help issues they might have including the finance, operations, and materials teams
10. Make some time to talk with my manager, mentor, or other colleagues about concerns or good progress that has taken place throughout the last few weeks to receive guidance or provide them with context of my work
Overall, there's a lot that goes on and could be happening in a given day, but basically revolves around working on projects, collaborating with others, providing on-time accurate updates, and making sure the right people are involved in the new ways to improve our facility. Industrial Engineers seek to make positive change to make our processes more efficient and safer for our workers, and our goal is to be able to improve performance without compromising quality, capacity or safety. We are involved in every level of production, manufacturing, and finances, which is why it is important to communicate effectively and learn to work cross-functionally.
If you have any specific questions let me know.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
Griffin
Sukhminder Sukhi
25
Answers
Updated
Sukhminder’s Answer
Engineers core function is to understand a problem or requirement and then solve it through scientific means. This covers a vast field, anything that is under umbrella of life.
One thing is sure that Engineer will be working on issues that need solution. That is the main part of the job. So you will be always in learning and discovery mode. You need to think and act scientifically everyday to address the problem in hand or complete a job. If you are planning to be an IT Engineer, then you will need to keep yourself updated to latest technologies. You will be working under tight timelines, deadlines and there will be stress involved in your job. Engineers need to learn that well how to act in calm when it is stressful and you are asked to deliver constantly.
A day can be full of collaborations, interlock meetings, knowledge sharing and presentations and what not. You will be engineering for a customer based on some needs and making sure your actions are helping them attain their goals. Engineering is all about details, so you will be going to the problem issues and actions in details to reach out to a solution for the customer. You will be acting a interface between business and technology. Usually working in efficient setup with no room for errors and mistakes.
One thing is sure that Engineer will be working on issues that need solution. That is the main part of the job. So you will be always in learning and discovery mode. You need to think and act scientifically everyday to address the problem in hand or complete a job. If you are planning to be an IT Engineer, then you will need to keep yourself updated to latest technologies. You will be working under tight timelines, deadlines and there will be stress involved in your job. Engineers need to learn that well how to act in calm when it is stressful and you are asked to deliver constantly.
A day can be full of collaborations, interlock meetings, knowledge sharing and presentations and what not. You will be engineering for a customer based on some needs and making sure your actions are helping them attain their goals. Engineering is all about details, so you will be going to the problem issues and actions in details to reach out to a solution for the customer. You will be acting a interface between business and technology. Usually working in efficient setup with no room for errors and mistakes.
Adhiragni Roy (she/her)
Systems Engineer
15
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Adhiragni’s Answer
Here's a quick list of things that goes in a day:
Prepare plans that include project specifications and cost estimates
Design and execute workable solutions
Develop engineering calculations, diagrams and technical reports
Complete required technical documents
Ensure projects are completed on-time
Present analysis results and project solutions to technical leads, senior leaders and clients as needed
Attend meetings (a lot of them), update and keep cadence for different projects, talk to manager, clients, team
Drew Peake, MSME, M.Eng., MBA, PE, FNAFE, DEE, CIH, CSP
Forensic Engineer: Health, Safety, Environment
46
Answers
Marietta, Georgia
Updated
Drew’s Answer
Engineers solve problems. I am a forensic engineer and determine: why the rail car derailed using physics and mathematics; why a pipe cutter was burned using chemistry, physics, and mathematics; and, why residents were poisoned by carbon monoxide using fluid dynamics, combustion reactions, and mathematics. It is exciting to solve real-world problems using what I learned in engineering school and through experience.
If you are considering becoming an engineer review the Occupational Outlook Handbook for information on engineering and related fields.
Drew recommends the following next steps:
Thank you Mr. Peake for taking the time out of your day to help me learn about engineering I greatly appreciate it.
Griffin