Logistics Engineers - 13-1081.01

Design or analyze operational solutions for projects such as transportation optimization, network modeling, process and methods analysis, cost containment, capacity enhancement, routing and shipment optimization, or information management.

Sample of reported job titles: Logistics Engineer, Reliability Engineer, Systems Engineer

Tasks

• Review contractual commitments, customer specifications, or related information to determine logistics or support requirements.
• Determine logistics support requirements, such as facility details, staffing needs, or safety or maintenance plans.
• Propose logistics solutions for customers.
• Direct the work of logistics analysts.
• Evaluate effectiveness of current or future logistical processes.
• Provide logistics technology or information for effective and efficient support of product, equipment, or system manufacturing or service.
• Evaluate the use of inventory tracking technology, Web-based warehousing software, or intelligent conveyor systems to maximize plant or distribution center efficiency.
• Develop logistic metrics, internal analysis tools, or key performance indicators for business units.
• Analyze or interpret logistics data involving customer service, forecasting, procurement, manufacturing, inventory, transportation, or warehousing.
• Prepare or validate documentation on automated logistics or maintenance-data reporting or management information systems.
• Identify cost-reduction or process-improvement logistic opportunities.
• Evaluate the use of technologies, such as global positioning systems (GPS), radio-frequency identification (RFID), route navigation software, or satellite linkup systems, to improve transportation efficiency.
• Develop or maintain cost estimates, forecasts, or cost models.
• Develop specifications for equipment, tools, facility layouts, or material-handling systems.
• Conduct logistics studies or analyses, such as time studies, zero-base analyses, rate analyses, network analyses, flow-path analyses, or supply chain analyses.
• Apply logistics modeling techniques to address issues such as operational process improvement or facility design or layout.
• Prepare logistic strategies or conceptual designs for production facilities.
• Identify or develop business rules or standard operating procedures to streamline operating processes.
• Design comprehensive supply chains that minimize environmental impacts or costs.
• Interview key staff or tour facilities to identify efficiency-improvement, cost-reduction, or service-delivery opportunities.
• Develop or document reverse logistics management processes to ensure maximal efficiency of product recycling, reuse, or final disposal.
• Determine feasibility of designing new facilities or modifying existing facilities, based on factors such as cost, available space, schedule, technical requirements, or ergonomics.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - ITEM Software ITEM ToolKit; LOGSA COMPASS; Minitab ; Reliass EAGLE (see all 14 examples)
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - IBM Cognos Impromptu
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access
• Development environment software - Microsoft Visual Basic ; Prolog
• Electronic mail software - IBM Notes
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Oracle Hyperion ; SAP ; SAP Business Objects
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Microsoft Visio
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software - JDA Manugistics; Logistics management information LMI database software; Logistics Support Analysts SmartLogic; Warehouse management system WMS (see all 5 examples)
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ ; Oracle Java
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software - Microsoft Project ; Microsoft SharePoint ; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Desktop computers
• Digital cameras
• Laser fax machine - Laser facsimile machines
• Laser printers - Computer laser printers
• Multimedia projectors - Multimedia projection equipment
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Personal computers
• Special purpose telephones - Multi-line telephone systems

Knowledge

• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities

• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
• Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Memorization - The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

Interests

• Interest code: ICR
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Context

• Electronic Mail - 95% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 90% responded “Every day.”
• Telephone - 91% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 77% responded “Every day.”
• Contact With Others - 55% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 50% responded “Some freedom.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 45% responded “Extremely important.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 55% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 76% responded “More than half the time.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 64% responded “Some freedom.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 64% responded “Very important.”
• Letters and Memos - 45% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 50% responded “Very important.”
• Time Pressure - 68% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Deal With External Customers - 32% responded “Extremely important.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 45% responded “Important results.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 45% responded “Moderate responsibility.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 36% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
50%	Bachelor's degree
14%	Associate's degree
14%	Post-baccalaureate certificate

Work Styles

• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Work Values

• Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $35.86 hourly, $74,590 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 149,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 15,600