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Logistics Engineers


Outlook

Employment Prospects

Employers

Logistics engineers work in different industries. They may be employed in manufacturing, federal government; professional, scientific, and technical consulting services; management of companies and enterprises; and wholesale trade. Companies that use logistics engineers include Amazon, DHL, Dell Computers, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Wal-Mart, among many others. The Department of Labor reports that there were 174,900 logisticians employed in the United States in 2018. 

Starting Out 

Logistics engineers may start their careers as an intern or in an entry-level position in the logistics department of a company or in a company that offers logistics services. They find jobs through referrals from professional associations. They also find job listings by searching companies' Web sites and employment Web sites such as Indeed, SimplyHired, Glassdoor, as well as LinkedIn. Ask your school's career services office for help with finding internship and entry-level job opportunities in logistics.

Advancement Prospects

Logistics engineers with three or more years of experience in successful logistics engineering advance to become senior logistics engineers. In addition to handling more complex projects, they supervise the work of logistics teams. They may become managers and heads of logistics departments. They may also advance in their careers by getting a master's degree in logistics engineering or related fields and by getting certification in specialized areas. Some may leave full-time positions to start their own logistics companies.

Tips for Entry

Keep up with news and trends in the logistics field by reading industry publications such as Logistics Management, https://www.logisticsmgmt.com, and Supply Chain Quarterly, https://www.supplychainquarterly.com.

Learn more about logistics by visiting the Web sites of professional association such as APICS, http://www.apics.org, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, https://cscmp.org, and SOLE-The International Society of Logistics, http://www.sole.org.

Get involved in the field by attending conferences and events. Volunteering to help at events is another great way to meet others working in the profession. Find upcoming event listings on professional associations' Web sites, such as http://www.apics.org/credentials-education/events.

Get an internship or entry-level job in a manufacturing company or a corporation with a logistics department. Search for job openings on companies' Web sites and ask your school's career services office for help finding opportunities.