Research engineer

Research engineers combine research skills and knowledge of engineering principles aiming to improve through research, processes, techniques, products, and systems at large. They perform experiments, for instance of natural structures such as honeycombs or tear-resistant spiderwebs, before determining the viability of alternative methods on a larger scale.

The following job titles also refer to research engineer:

engineering science researcher
agricultural research engineer
engineering analyst
engineering scholar
engineering scientist
engineer researcher
engineering researcher
bionic engineer
engineering research scientist
engineering research analyst

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as research engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Research engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to research engineer.

process engineer
precision engineer
calculation engineer
equipment engineer
design engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of research engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of research engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of research engineer.

Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills are necessary for the role of research engineer.

Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Manage engineering project: Manage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.
Gather experimental data: Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
Interpret technical requirements: Analyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.
Execute feasibility study: Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.
Define technical requirements: Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer requirements.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of research engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Materials science: Field of science and engineering that researches new materials on the basis of their structure, properties, synthesis, and performance for a variety of purposes, including increasing fire resistance of construction materials.
Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
Industrial engineering: The field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.
Cad software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of research engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Apply advanced manufacturing: Improve production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs, and changeovers of products and processes by using relevant advanced, innovative, and cutting edge technology.
Run laboratory simulations: Run simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.
Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
Use non-destructive testing equipment: Use specific non-destructive testing methods and equipment that do not cause any damage to the product, such as X-rays, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, industrial CT scanning and others, in order to find defects in and assure quality of a manufactured and a repaired product.
Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Write manuals: Write down instructions about how to properly and safely use equipment, machinery, and systems.
Conduct experiments on animals: Test medicines and other product on animals in order to discover their effects.
Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.
Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
Develop test procedures: Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of products, systems, and components.

2149 – Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified

 

 

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References

1. Research engineer – ESCO