Research and Development Engineer

Summary

Job Category:
Engineering Operations
Job Title:
Research and Development Engineer
Job Category Definition:
This specialty covers the activities related to the creative work undertaken on a systematic basis, drawing on existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience, which is directed to producing new materials, products or devices, to installing new processes, systems and services, or to improving substantially those already produced or installed. This includes the entire development process through engineering program and project management, conceptual design, detailed design, prototyping, manufacturing, performance analysis, technical documentation and configuration management.
Job Title Definition:
The Research and Development Engineer conducts research in a field or specialization of an engineering discipline to discover facts, or performs research directed toward investigation, evaluation, and application of known engineering theories and principles; plans and conducts, or directs engineering personnel performing complex engineering analyses and experiments to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technological areas; involves hardware and software engineering activity; evaluates findings to develop new concepts, products, equipment, or processes, or to develop applications of findings to new uses; prepares technical reports for use by engineering or management personnel for long- and short-range planning, or for use by sales engineering personnel in sales or technical services activities. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
Security Clearance and/or U.S. citizenship may be required.

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
REEO0101 L Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline (Professional Engineer license accepted in lieu of Bachelor’s Degree)

0+ years related experience

Security Clearance and/or U.S. citizenship may be required.
Typical Work Duties
  • Using accepted methods and techniques, assist with the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems and subsystems
  • Learn and apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
  • Contribute to experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling and processing data
  • Contribute data/findings for use in technical reports, documents, or oral/written presentations
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
REEO0102 M Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline

2+ years related experience

Security Clearance and/or U.S. citizenship may be required.
Typical Work Duties
  • Using accepted methods and techniques, contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems and subsystems
  • Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles basic to the development and improvement of various engineering systems
  • Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
  • Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling and processing data
  • Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, or oral/written presentations
  • Perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; may network beyond own technical peer group
  • Supervise the work of lower level staff and undergraduate students

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
REEO0103 N Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline; Master’s Degree preferred

5+ years related experience

Security Clearance and/or U.S. citizenship may be required.
Typical Work Duties
  • Assist in concept development and participate in the design analyses of engineering systems independently evaluating, selecting, and applying scientific or engineering procedures and techniques to assignments
  • Manage projects of small or moderate size and scope; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals and objectives; responsible for assuring quality, cost effectiveness and timeliness of assigned projects
  • Identify problems and related technical issues leading to long term, generic solutions; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs
  • Plan and perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope; assemble research team members
  • Author/co-author on papers, proposals, presentations and reports
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals; provide ideas to improve organizational efficiency at group and department levels
  • Maintain external research relationships to identify and develop new funding sources; making significant contributions to technical proposal preparation and/or presentations
  • Mentor assigned staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
REEO0104 O Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline; Master’s Degree preferred

14+ years related experience

Security Clearance and/or U.S. citizenship may be required.
Typical Work Duties
  • Manage multiple or large projects; plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of the work of a major project or in a total project of moderate steps
  • Make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals/objectives; may evaluate proposed or ongoing projects
  • Create opportunities to enhance technical methodology or content through expansion of existing or development of new efforts; may extend technology into new application areas; contribute or lead in intellectual development activities
  • Provide innovative problem solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities; use peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities
  • Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them; nurtures and maintain relationships with major customers/grantors of external research and development grant funding
  • Identify grant/project follow-on work and persuade customers/grantors to fund; impact customer decisions and strategies
  • Initiate new project concepts and seek funding; develop technical proposals and make presentations to customers/grant sponsors
  • May chair sessions at technical meetings; give papers and/or presentations; participate in external seminars, workshops, professional societies and committees
  • Mentor assigned staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
REEO0105 P Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Minimum Education & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or Science discipline; Master’s Degree or Ph.D. preferred

19+ years related experience

Security Clearance and/or U.S. citizenship may be required.
Typical Work Duties
  • Plan and direct research projects that have substantial impact that extends knowledge and understanding; plan, organize, and supervise the work of staff scientists, engineers and technicians
  • Coordinate research and development activities between disciplines involving exploration of subject area, definition of scope and selection of problems for investigation and development of novel concepts and approaches
  • Devise plan and lead work on extremely complex problems that impact the design success of current products or addresses broad design issues of future products or technologies
  • Maintain liaison with individuals and units within and outside project, with responsibility for acting independently on technical matters pertaining to own field
  • Propose and lead new initiatives; guide programs of national or international significance; identify future problems, research trends and opportunities
  • Direct and/or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation
  • Present papers, lead symposia and chair committees; participate on advisory/policy boards, journals and societies; serve as peer reviewer of major technical programs; network nationally and internationally
  • Participate and contribute to the strategic plan of the unit
  • Supervise subordinate supervisors or team leaders
  • Mentor assigned staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.