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What does an engineer technical staff do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Galen Duree
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Engineer technical staff responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineer technical staff resumes:

  • Engage in developing database for efficiently managing and tracking work orders within departments.
  • Conduct FM/CDMA testing to verify RF performance of handset designs.
  • Generate a technician's handbook for AMPS/FM manual RF testing in accordance with federal standards.
  • Provide high level database operational support and ensure data consistency and integrity across all systems.
  • Re-Define prior system network synchronization and timing distribution architecture, and work with hardware & software design engineers to implement.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance, perform carpentry, plumbing and electrical repairs.

Engineer technical staff skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Engineers Technical Staff are proficient in RF, Java, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Speaking skills, Writing skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Engineers Technical Staff that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • RF, 17%

    Designed, implemented, and tested channel management tasks controlling RF frequency based beam steerable suite of antenna/Mobile Phone Terminal Products.

  • Java, 13%

    Implemented SAML based login for the Java Web start NMS application using open SAML.

  • Technical Support, 9%

    Provided technical support for analyzing operational problems and developing cost-effective solutions for the Utilities Division.

  • Test Procedures, 7%

    Developed diagnostic test procedures for the IRIDIUM Communications Electronics Subsystem based upon downloaded Telemetry and Event Response messages.

  • Logistics, 6%

    Launched a stand-alone OMEGA 2B [ ] compliant workstation for the management of logistics engineering data for an F-22 component.

  • Product Development, 5%

    Lead liaison between Research and Development, Manufacturing, and Marketing departments during the commercialization and qualification phases of product development.

"rf," "java," and "technical support" are among the most common skills that engineers technical staff use at work. You can find even more engineer technical staff responsibilities below, including:

Speaking skills. One of the key soft skills for an engineer technical staff to have is speaking skills. You can see how this relates to what engineers technical staff do because "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." Additionally, an engineer technical staff resume shows how engineers technical staff use speaking skills: "created and presented directory services and web infrastructure architecture documents. "

Writing skills. Another essential skill to perform engineer technical staff duties is writing skills. Engineers technical staff responsibilities require that "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." Engineers technical staff also use writing skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "performed breadboarding, prototyping, debugging of new designs, and writing test procedures. "

Creativity. This is an important skill for engineers technical staff to perform their duties. For an example of how engineer technical staff responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an engineer technical staff: "maintained the whole electrical inventory of streetlights that are operated within the city of san diego city limits. ".

Listening skills. engineer technical staff responsibilities often require "listening skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." This resume example shows what engineers technical staff do with listening skills on a typical day: "developed and implemented product development strategies, communicated with clients on product improvements, and led software training courses. "

Math skills. Another crucial skill for an engineer technical staff to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what engineers technical staff relies on this skill, since "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." How this skill relates to engineer technical staff duties can be seen in an example from an engineer technical staff resume snippet: "applied rapid proof-of-concept prototyping, bench test development, mathematical analyses in support of design refinement and evaluation. "

Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to engineer technical staff responsibilities. Much of what an engineer technical staff does relies on this skill, seeing as "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of engineers technical staff: "applied data- driven architecture solutions to enable rapid prototyping of new features for proof-of-concept. "

See the full list of engineer technical staff skills

Choose from 10+ customizable engineer technical staff resume templates

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Engineer Technical Staff Resume
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Compare different engineers technical staff

Engineer technical staff vs. Senior electrical engineer

A senior electrical engineer is an individual who leads other engineers to review electrical design plans and analyze existing electrical systems. Senior electrical engineers must establish relationships with clients, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that projects are completed according to specifications. They create project budgets and produce working schedules and company regulations to make sure that a safe and positive working environment is achieved. Senior electrical engineers must be passionate about engineering development by attending electrical conferences and events.

The annual salary of senior electrical engineers is $7,029 higher than the average salary of engineers technical staff.Even though engineers technical staff and senior electrical engineers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require rf, technical support, and test procedures in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an engineer technical staff are more likely to require skills like "java," "logistics," "product development," and "linux." On the other hand, a job as a senior electrical engineer requires skills like "electrical equipment," "electrical systems," "analog," and "electrical design." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Senior electrical engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $106,176. Comparatively, engineers technical staff tend to make the most money in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $108,621.On average, senior electrical engineers reach similar levels of education than engineers technical staff. Senior electrical engineers are 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Engineer technical staff vs. Senior principal engineer

A senior principal engineer is responsible for leading engineering tasks within an organization and reports project updates to senior management. Senior principal engineers develop strategic methods and principles to improve the technical stability and efficiency of the company's systems, creating business proposals according to clients' specifications, and negotiating contracts with suppliers and other service providers. They also train new staff and identify innovations and business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources for the company.

Senior principal engineer positions earn higher pay than engineer technical staff roles. They earn a $28,356 higher salary than engineers technical staff per year.A few skills overlap for engineers technical staff and senior principal engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "rf," "java," and "technical support. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that engineer technical staff responsibilities requires skills like "logistics," "test equipment," "cad," and "sql." But a senior principal engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "architecture," "cloud," and "c #."

On average, senior principal engineers earn a higher salary than engineers technical staff. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior principal engineers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $123,997. Whereas engineers technical staff have higher pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $108,621.In general, senior principal engineers achieve similar levels of education than engineers technical staff. They're 2.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for engineer technical staffs in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Galen Duree

Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

People with knowledge, even introductory experience, in quantum effects, quantum computing, optics in general (communication, measurements, imaging, illumination, detection), material science and engineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will be in high demand.

Engineer technical staff vs. Senior process engineer

A Senior Process Engineer assesses a process efficiency, effectiveness, safety, and quality. They also conduct process improvement initiatives and custom product developments.

An average senior process engineer eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of engineers technical staff. The difference in salaries amounts to senior process engineers earning a $3,092 higher average salary than engineers technical staff.By looking over several engineers technical staff and senior process engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "java," "technical support," and "product development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from engineer technical staff resumes include skills like "rf," "test procedures," "logistics," and "linux," whereas a senior process engineer is more likely to list skills in "project management," "data analysis," "process design," and "product quality. "

Senior process engineers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $107,116. On the other hand, engineers technical staff are paid the highest salary in the telecommunication industry, with average annual pay of $108,621.senior process engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to engineers technical staff. Specifically, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Engineer technical staff vs. Senior staff engineer

A senior staff engineer is responsible for supervising a team of engineers, chemists, software developers, or molecular biologists. His/Her or her responsibilities include generating Structured Query Language (SQL) performance audit checklist template, creating SQL data query routines and functions for data extraction, and working directly with stakeholders. The job requires strong mechanical, listening, and mathematical skills and proficiency in Python programming language and computer architecture and hardware. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, business, mechanical engineering, or a related field.

Senior staff engineers typically earn higher pay than engineers technical staff. On average, senior staff engineers earn a $33,745 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, engineers technical staff and senior staff engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "rf," "java," and "technical support. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An engineer technical staff uses "logistics," "technical reports," "macro," and "technical issues." Senior staff engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "python," "c #," "architecture," and "software development. "The telecommunication industry tends to pay the highest salaries for senior staff engineers, with average annual pay of $136,458. Comparatively, the highest engineer technical staff annual salary comes from the telecommunication industry.senior staff engineers reach similar levels of education compared to engineers technical staff, in general. The difference is that they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of engineer technical staff

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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