What does a laboratory engineer do?
A laboratory engineer specializes in designing and developing tools and machinery for laboratory operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include installing and maintaining equipment, performing extensive research and analysis, coordinating with other experts, and identifying areas needing improvement, implementing solutions as required. They must also conduct regular maintenance checks on systems, performing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a laboratory engineer, it is essential to provide technical support while implementing the facility's policies and regulations.
Laboratory engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory engineer resumes:
- Manage test servers and clients running Solaris, Linux, XP, and BSD.
- Manage test lab HVAC, and electrical load levels to protect and preserve assets.
- Manage HVAC test construction in accordance with ASHRAE standards and maintain lab- testing schedule.
- Manage multiple mobile telemetry stations consisting of RF receiving equipment, data processing front end, and display software.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Collaborate with engineers to create SAN environment for test cases including servers, storage and network switches.
- Redesign VMWare layout to better optimize hardware and performance.
- End point configuration for POC demos, from Vmware and Citrix.
- Install, administrate, and do troubleshooting for Microsoft and Linux operating systems.
- Work on SAN re-installation/configuration, to get them operational after they have failed.
- Perform device testing of all network RF functions require for mobile phone devices.
- Install, reinstal, configure OS and software which allow engineers and developers more time to work.
- Install and perform testing of gigabit over fiber switches for long runs and gigabit over copper to the desktops.
- Implement contact monitoring equipment for electrical switches and wiper controllers.
- Validate components of various dual-core processor chips under design utilizing iHDL & Perl
Laboratory engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 5% of Laboratory Engineers are proficient in C++, Lab Environment, and UL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- C++, 5%
Executed system verification and software development using C, C++ for optics products.
- Lab Environment, 4%
Performed component level testing in lab environment utilizing product interface control documents and specification sheets.
- UL, 4%
Maintained documentation and procedures for UL, CE, NEC, ANSI, and RoHS standards.
- Test Equipment, 4%
Designed, selected and implemented test equipment to evaluate force, position, and velocity parameters for printing machines.
- Lab Equipment, 4%
Maintain lab equipment through daily inspections and other preventative maintenance.
- Data Analysis, 4%
Developed web-based lab automation tools to facilitate unattended scientific experiments and data analysis.
Common skills that a laboratory engineer uses to do their job include "c++," "lab environment," and "ul." You can find details on the most important laboratory engineer responsibilities below.
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a laboratory engineer to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a laboratory engineer resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "maintained inventory of pc tv tuners and video cards used for media center testing. "
Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform laboratory engineer duties is listening skills. Laboratory engineers responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Laboratory engineers also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated with software users to assist with technical issues multiple times per week. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of laboratory engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday laboratory engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "hand calculations, computational analysis, fundamental principles application, math modeling, and coding. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what laboratory engineers do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to laboratory engineer responsibilities because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical laboratory engineer tasks: "performed x-ray and mechanical failure analysis on electronic assemblies. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for laboratory engineer responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of laboratory engineers all the time, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." An excerpt from a real laboratory engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a laboratory engineer does: "assisted in the design and setup of new 7r/e packet solutions lab environments. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory engineers are:
- ERC
11 laboratory engineers jobs
- Amazon8 laboratory engineers jobs
- Intel7 laboratory engineers jobs
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Compare different laboratory engineers
Laboratory engineer vs. Design engineer
A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs. A design engineer also provides recommendations on improving existing systems to boost its performance and increase efficiency. Design engineers must have an excellent command of computer systems, programming codes, and technical data to ensure the system's stability and high-quality processes. A design engineer should also have strong analytical and time-management skills to perform tasks and meet deadlines.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a laboratory engineer are more likely to require skills like "lab environment," "test equipment," "lab equipment," and "data analysis." On the other hand, a job as a design engineer requires skills like "project management," "work ethic," "engineering design," and "product design." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Design engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,213. Comparatively, laboratory engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $104,456.design engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than laboratory engineers. In fact, design engineers are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory engineer vs. Equipment engineer
The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that laboratory engineer responsibilities requires skills like "c++," "lab environment," "ul," and "lab equipment." But an equipment engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "equipment performance," "semiconductor," "project management," and "preventive maintenance."
On average, equipment engineers earn a higher salary than laboratory engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, equipment engineers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $108,645. Whereas laboratory engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $104,456.equipment engineers earn similar levels of education than laboratory engineers in general. They're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory engineer vs. Field engineer
A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely. It is also the task of a field engineer to oversee the workflow and workforce, giving directions and recommendations when necessary. Furthermore, a field engineer must develop strategies and plans to improve the site's efficiency, produce progress reports, and coordinate with other workers.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from laboratory engineer resumes include skills like "c++," "lab environment," "ul," and "lab equipment," whereas a field engineer is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "customer satisfaction," "project management," and "azure. "
Field engineers earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $83,650. Comparatively, laboratory engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $104,456.Most field engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to laboratory engineers. For example, they're 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory engineer vs. Development engineer
A Development Engineer is responsible for the development and validation of products, systems, and components. They are also responsible for quality control of work and continuous improvement of engineer activities.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between laboratory engineers and development engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a laboratory engineer might have more use for skills like "lab environment," "lab equipment," "data collection," and "san." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of development engineers require skills like "java," "python," "c #," and "software development. "
Development engineers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $105,648. For comparison, laboratory engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of development engineers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to laboratory engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.5%.Types of laboratory engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
