20 Best Gifts for Industrial Engineers in 2024

10 min read

Last updated: December 5th, 2024

Industrial engineers have unique interests and can be tough to find the right gift for. They tend to want things that are practical, functional, and unique. Being an engineer myself, I wanted to assemble what I think are the best gift ideas for industrial engineers.

Finding the perfect gift for an industrial engineer can be time-consuming, but I hope this gift guide helps you finish your gift shopping faster than ever and brings a smile to an engineer’s face. Show them you understand their passion for engineering and support them when they geek out over your perfect gift.

This list is a compilation of my favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for engineers on the planet!

1. The Pocket Engineer: Wallet Ruler and Unit Conversion Reference

The most practical and unique pocket tool for any industrial engineer. It’s the size of a typical credit card and packed with functionality and information that an industrial engineer will need on a daily basis both in school and on the job. The laser-cut and laser-engraved stainless steel has a thick black enamel coating to prevent scratching and stand up to years of abuse. It’s one of the best inexpensive gadget gifts that any engineer will geek out over. You can order directly through our site or on Amazon with the links below.

You can also add a custom logo to this for events, networking, or promotional giveaways! Custom orders start at 100 pieces - just email us for more info.

The-Pocket-Engineer-Wallet-Ruler-and-Unit-Conversion-Reference-1

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The Pocket Engineer at Genius Lab Gear

The Pocket Engineer on Amazon

2. Electronic Digital Caliper

This high-accuracy digital caliper is a perfect present for industrial engineers. It’s a tool every engineer should own in their arsenal. It can be used to measure length, depth, as well as exterior and interior scope. This specific electronic digital caliper can measure both inches and millimeters and has an extra-large LCD display for quick and easy readings and conversions. It also features a resolution of 10 microns and an accuracy of up to 20 microns. Now your favorite industrial engineer can have a handy tool to use in inspection, welding, machining, and engineering environments, thanks to you!

Check the price on Amazon.

3. Funny Engineering-themed Word Magnets

We recently launched a full line of science and engineering-themed word magnets and of course made a set specifically for engineers! Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity. These make for a funny engineer gift for the lab or office that lets them express their technical side but isn't work-oriented.

Also now available on Amazon.

You can also bundle it from our site with our newest "Engineering is for Everyone" sticker and The Pocket Engineer above!

4. FLIR ONE Gen 3 - Thermal Camera for Smart Phones

If you have the budget, this FLIR thermal imaging camera is an amazing tool that an industrial engineer would find plenty of uses for. Primarily it can identify hot spots where insulation is cracked, fluids are leaking, or components are overheating, perfect for a job in manufacturing. But they can also just have a lot of fun around the house and in the kitchen exploring the thermals of your world. Many people buy this and make their money back in heating/AC bills by looking at their doors, windows, and walls for gaps or poor insulation.

Be sure to get the correct version (for Android or iPhone). If that’s out of your price range, a handheld infrared point-and-shoot thermometer is also extremely useful for finding hotspots, even though it doesn’t have a digital display or data collection.

Check the price on Amazon.

5. 101 Engineer Jokes For Engineers

An engineer's regular day can be so mentally draining that they have little time to unwind. And, like everyone else, they need some quiet time and a few laughs to relieve stress after a long day. Introducing the 101 Engineer Jokes for Engineers! A book filled with 101 jokes that an engineer can definitely relate to!

Check the price on Amazon.

6. BOSCH GLM 20 Blaze 65' Laser Distance Measure

Another tool that industrial engineers use is the tape measure. Regular tape measures can be inaccurate and awkward to use. Fortunately, those problems can be solved with a newer technology called laser distance measurement. It’s truly a perfect gift for an industrial engineer! We love that it’s accurate up to 65 feet, fits inside a pocket, and it provides live measurements that adjust as you move closer or further from the target.

Check the price on Amazon.

7. Lab Coat Pocket Protector

Practical and efficient, nothing highlights these qualities of an industrial engineer like this nifty accessory. The venerable Pocket Protector became a cultural icon in the 1960's and 1970's, but somewhere along the way the newer generation of STEM researchers forgot about them.

Engineers need these back in their labs to stay organized, stay efficient, protect their work clothes, and finish their experiments without being late to lunch. So we researched and tested every type ever made to methodically solve each problem and come up with this refreshed design.

Available in spruce green, sapphire blue, and faded pink - the top 3 colors voted on by our fans! You can even get it from our Amazon page if that's easier.

pocket protector gift for scientists working in laboratories and lab techs

Check the price on Amazon.

8. Magnetic wristband for hands-on building and repairs

This magnetic wristband is a cheap but extremely handy add-on that is universally loved by mechanics, machinists, and industrial engineers who like to build or fix things. Mine has helped stop my constant clumsiness dropping tiny screws or misplacing my drill bit heads.

Check the price on Amazon.

9. Tesla Steampunk-themed Wall Decor for Engineers

Nikola Tesla helped launch the industrial revolution with his "electric machines". I visited his museum in Belgrade last year and I was blown away by how he applied his deep knowledge of electricity to solving real problems in manufacturing and power generation. I was even able to touch the steel safe that contained all of his secret drawings!

For an industrial engineer who's into vintage machines and steampunk style, these patent prints of Tesla inventions will help decorate their office or lab with ideas that were ahead of their time.

Check the price on Amazon.

10. The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer

The Toyota Way is that one perfect book for an industrial engineer that explains Toyota's global reputation for quality and reliability, as well as its management principles and corporate philosophy. For an industrial engineer who usually works in manufacturing, a book from one of the world’s greatest manufacturers is a rare gem where they can gather information on how to improve processes, build quality into workplace systems, and find low-cost but reliable alternatives to expensive new technology.

Check the price on Amazon.

11. 100 Cars That Changed the World

For the industrial engineer who is also a car nut, this stunning visual history of convention-shattering car designs will make for a fun creative break between deep sessions of process improvement. It's a brief dive into automotive history that highlights how forward-thinking industrial automotive designers created their own trends in a sea of normalcy.

Check the price on Amazon.

12. Engines: The Inner Workings of Machines That Move the World

From one of my favorite science communicators Theodore Gray, Engines is an amazingly visual coffee table book that explores the beautiful and technical aspects of the industrial machines that move us.

The photography is stunning, and it's written at a level that can be enjoyed from high schoolers interested in STEM all the way to professional engineers. Industrial engineering students will especially nerd out over the diagrams and illustrations in this book. Enjoy!

Engines: The Inner Workings of Machines That Move the World

Check the price on Amazon.

13. Rocketbook Matrix cloud-connected reusable paper notebook

This is my favorite clever invention. It was inevitable. Rocketbook finally solved the problem of merging your hand-written notes into your favorite digital services. You simply use their app to take a photo of your pages of notes and the QR code and marked symbols on each page trigger the app to send the digitized page to any of the 9 pre-set digital destinations you choose. This includes OneNote, Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox and even specific emails. Want a shortcut to send notes via email straight to your colleague or boss? This is what you’re looking for.

The Rocketbook Matrix is my personal favorite because it's designed for more technical work. It's got 30 pages of graphing paper and one regular lined page for taking notes, plus a built-in ruler on the inside cover. Did I mention they are resuable? Use their "Pilot Frixion" pens and then wipe the page with a damp cloth after uploading your notes to use it all over again (and win one for the environment!).

You can also get it fastest on Amazon.

14. High-end graphing calculator with touchscreen and stylus

Calculators may seem a bit old-fashioned but most aerospace engineers I know still prefer to have one on their desk. Instead of getting distracted with a browser-based or phone-based calculator, doing quick calculations next to your keyboard helps you stay focused.

This particular touchscreen graphic calculator is a high-end model that has everything an aerospace engineer will ever need out of a calculator - they'll never outgrow it. It stands out from other versions because of the full-color screen which IMO helps quite a bit by color-coding functions and different variables. The stylus is also a nice touch - pun intended!

High-end graphing calculator with touchscreen and stylus

Check the price on Amazon.

15. rOtring or Staedtler Mechanical Pencil

Mechanical pencils are an essential daily tool for engineers on the job and in the classroom. But in the new digital age, engineers often find themselves using touchscreens as well.

That’s why my new favorite is the rOtring 800 Retractable Mechanical Pencil, (0.5 mm). This one turns from a pencil to a stylus on the fly, and also ensures the tip isn’t poking holes in your pocket all day like most other models. This is truly the top-end mechanical pencil and will make a special gift.

Check price on Amazon

Staedtler is another brand much-loved by engineers. This model is cheaper and will last a long time, but just isn’t convertible to a stylus. You can’t go wrong with either one.

16. LED Flashlight Gloves

These LED flashlight gloves are an excellent gift for an engineer since they can be used for everything from home repairs to working on machines in the dark or in other confined spaces where a little more light would be a huge help. It’s like having an assistant holding a flashlight for you! These cool flashlight gloves are made of stretchy fabric and lengthened velcro straps for a snug fit!

Check the price on Amazon.

17. 3Dconnexion Spacemouse

Industrial engineers often use computer-aided design (CAD) in devising efficient ways in manufacturing and production to eliminate wasteful processes. But during long hours of designing, a regular consumer mouse becomes frustrating to use due to poor sensitivity. This mouse called Spacemouse from 3Dconnexion solves that issue. It’s a tool made for engineers and designers that delivers intuitive, effortless, and precise 3D navigation in CAD applications. It’s a super helpful gift for your favorite CAD engineer!

Check the price on Amazon.

18. KiwiCo Eureka Crate

For an industrial engineer who wants to spend more time with their kids and get them engaged in STEM, a great approach is working on small engineering projects together. KiwiCo came up with a line of project boxes for different age groups and subjects. You get a new project box every month and can pause or cancel any time. They are often made of laser-cut wood which you assemble with included electronics to make things like a trebuchet, an adjustable desk lamp, or an automatic pencil sharpener!

The Eureka Crate is targeted at ages 14+ (below), so it's perfect for high school students and can also be a ton of fun for a passionate engineer who loves hobby projects. If these are too advanced, try the Tinker Crate instead!

Eureka STEM gift box crate

Check the price on the KiwiCo website

19. The Master Theorem - Offline puzzle book for engineers

Industrial engineers suffer from too much "screen time" just like kids can. And they LOVE puzzles. Taking a break to do a fun pen-and-paper puzzle can be a wonderful creative break before diving back into the laptop. It's what I do when I need to reset.

The book The Master Theorem is written by a cryptic author who amassed a large following in the early days of blogging by posting these challenging puzzles to his fans. This book is a collection of his favorites after making several improvements based on fan feedback. It will take months for them to solve these and become a "Master".

The Master Theorem - Offline puzzle book for engineers

Check the price on Amazon.

20. Engineer’s Gift Bundle ($39.50)

If you can't decide by now, I can still help! Consider this decision made. I put together a Engineer Gift Bundle just to make it easy for you. It includes the Pocket tool and Word Magnets from above, plus a few fun science stickers. You'll save over 20% by bundling them together, so grab this and you can stop your search here!