What does a mechanical research engineer do?
Mechanical research engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mechanical research engineer resumes:
- Organize and manage multi-disciplinary teams of scientists, business and other professionals to successfully commercialize NASA and other technology.
- Perform stress analysis (FEA) on machine components for optimal design.
- Design and modele the mechanical system using SolidWorks.
- Prepare PowerPoint presentation on software evaluation, including recommendations for purchase.
- Pinpoint dangerous proximity of carbon monoxide outlet to ventilation inlet for the building during safety inspection (potential life-threatening ramifications).
- Pinpoint dangerous proximity of carbon monoxide outlet to ventilation inlet for the building during safety inspection (potential life-threatening ramifications).
Mechanical research engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Mechanical Research Engineers are proficient in CAD, Solidworks, and Mechanical Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Mechanical Research Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CAD, 16%
Completed 3D CAD design and construction of a fully submersible, integrated reactor and buoyancy control system.
- Solidworks, 11%
Performed tolerance stack-up of different assemblies to optimize the design and performed structural finite element analysis using Solidworks.
- Mechanical Design, 8%
Performed the mechanical design, electrical IC driver design, embedded control, and assembly of the valve.
- CFD, 7%
Performed CFD evaluation of customer data center facilities.
- Prototyping, 7%
Recruited into Lead Engineering role to support technical design, prototyping and process manufacturing needs for emerging battery manufacturing process.
- Data Collection, 5%
Contributed to the writing of research paper and data collection, which was published to Journal of Science and Cycling.
Most mechanical research engineers use their skills in "cad," "solidworks," and "mechanical design" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential mechanical research engineer responsibilities here:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a mechanical research engineer to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Mechanical research engineers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "use autocad inventor and solidworks to develop electronic drawing of equipment. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling mechanical research engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." According to a mechanical research engineer resume, here's how mechanical research engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated with other engineers about project management designed structure for mars greenhouse for nasa presented during meetings with nasa"
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of mechanical research engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday mechanical research 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: "advanced electrochemical techniques, statistical analysis and mathematical modeling of large volume research data. "
Mechanical skills. mechanical research engineer responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." This resume example shows what mechanical research engineers do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "research and development of diagnostic instruments and bio-medical equipment mechanical engineering and design process for automated robotic systems. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in mechanical research engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what mechanical research engineers do. Mechanical research engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." You can also see how mechanical research engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "developed rf component packaging solutions to replace obsolete hardware on air force systems. "
The three companies that hire the most mechanical research engineers are:
- General Electric4 mechanical research engineers jobs
- Saint-Gobain2 mechanical research engineers jobs
- Lockheed Martin1 mechanical research engineers jobs
Compare different mechanical research engineers
Mechanical research engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a mechanical research engineer are more likely to require skills like "mechanical design," "cfd," "data collection," and "fluid dynamics." On the other hand, a job as an engineer requires skills like "python," "cloud," "c #," and "aws." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. Comparatively, mechanical research engineers tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $97,323.On average, engineers reach lower levels of education than mechanical research engineers. Engineers are 6.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical research engineer vs. Product engineer
A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that mechanical research engineer responsibilities requires skills like "mechanical design," "cfd," "data collection," and "fluid dynamics." But a product engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "product design," "project management," "product development," and "continuous improvement."
On average, product engineers earn a higher salary than mechanical research engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, product engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $90,301. Whereas mechanical research engineers have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $97,323.product engineers earn lower levels of education than mechanical research engineers in general. They're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical research engineer vs. Staff engineer
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, mechanical research engineers are more likely to have skills like "solidworks," "mechanical design," "cfd," and "fea." But a staff engineer is more likely to have skills like "java," "python," "architecture," and "software development."
Staff engineers earn the best pay in the telecommunication industry, where they command an average salary of $119,079. Mechanical research engineers earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $97,323.When it comes to education, staff engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to mechanical research engineers. In fact, they're 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mechanical research engineer vs. Tool engineer
A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products. As a tooling engineer, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with operational standards such as the ISO 9000. You also have to provide technical assistance to manufacturing personnel and quality assurance.
Types of mechanical research engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
