What does a research and development engineer do?
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
Research and development engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research and development engineer resumes:
- Manage, design, and assist in development of product family reusable code libraries, visualization and GUI components.
- Manage test suite jobs for the team creating configurations and building binaries for C++ code using Jenkins and bash shell.
- Charge with managing a range of key operational functions in support of 3D visualization studio with $1.3M in annual contracts.
- Lead a team of software QA test engineers in the prioritization and assignment of tasks and the solving of technical problems.
- Manage quality issues during development/production and ensure ISO compliance.
- Manage and maintain production equipment, including conformance to ISO calibration requirements.
- Utilize knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, DOM, and CSS to deliver advance user interfaces and controls.
- Perform test fixture cad design, prototyping, test method development and test report generation in support of applicator development.
- Participate in the initial prototype phase of new products; develop required process and procedures tooling of preliminary test equipment.
- Code runs on DOD supercomputer.
- Administrate Linux file, web and database servers.
- Modify and update BOM during project as needed.
- Create MySql database schema and establish connections with python libraries.
- Implement protocols using C++ (socket programming) in Unix environment
- Develop prototype systems for use by primarily intelligence and DoD clients.
Research and development engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Research And Development Engineers are proficient in Python, R, and Solidworks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Creativity, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Research And Development Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 7%
Streamlined deployment process by developing continuous integration tools using Java Script and python.
- R, 6%
Constructed a R &D Laboratory.
- Solidworks, 5%
Revised and replaced drawings for gas turbine engine components and existing tooling for documentation purposes using SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
- CAD, 5%
Developed and maintained medical device CAD models/designs and analysis in support of meeting all design requirements.
- Data Analysis, 4%
Developed software for data acquisition, real time data analysis and graphical display of control system parameters.
- Patients, 4%
Helped manufacture and provide Emergency Use (EU), Compassionate Use (CU) or Custom Made devices for patients.
Common skills that a research and development engineer uses to do their job include "python," "r," and "solidworks." You can find details on the most important research and development engineer responsibilities below.
Mechanical skills. One of the key soft skills for a research and development engineer to have is mechanical skills. You can see how this relates to what research and development engineers do because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Additionally, a research and development engineer resume shows how research and development engineers use mechanical skills: "analyzed electrical component specifications to enable new product design; redesigned mechanical components to uncover new efficiency. "
Creativity. Another essential skill to perform research and development engineer duties is creativity. Research and development engineers responsibilities require that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Research and development engineers also use creativity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "invented new methods for pcb low temperature desorption from soil. "
Listening skills. This is an important skill for research and development engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how research and development engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research and development engineer: "communicated with suppliers to compile latex, dehp, and phthalates information for fda. ".
Math skills. research and development engineer responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This resume example shows what research and development engineers do with math skills on a typical day: "perform engineering calculations using mathcad for new product design through laminate theory and other formulas. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a research and development engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what research and development engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to research and development engineer duties can be seen in an example from a research and development engineer resume snippet: "provided technical support for fda recalls identifying root-causes and implementing solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most research and development engineers are:
- Ansys122 research and development engineers jobs
- Sandia National Labs102 research and development engineers jobs
- Honeywell58 research and development engineers jobs
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Compare different research and development engineers
Research and development 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 research and development engineer are more likely to require skills like "patients," "prototype," "doe," and "medical devices." On the other hand, a job as an engineer requires skills like "cloud," "aws," "troubleshoot," and "javascript." 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, research and development engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,654.engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than research and development engineers. In fact, engineers are 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Research and development 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that research and development engineer responsibilities requires skills like "c #," "solidworks," "patients," and "prototype." But a staff engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "architecture," "software development," "ongoing development," and "system design."
On average, staff engineers earn a higher salary than research and development engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, staff engineers earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $119,079. Whereas research and development engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $107,654.In general, staff engineers achieve similar levels of education than research and development engineers. They're 2.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research and development engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Marco Schoen Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Measurement and Control Engineering Research Center (MCERC), Idaho State University
Research and development 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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from research and development engineer resumes include skills like "c #," "data analysis," "patients," and "prototype," whereas a tool engineer is more likely to list skills in "ruby," "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," and "ui. "
Tool engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $94,406. Research and development engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $107,654.tool engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to research and development engineers. Specifically, they're 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research and development engineer vs. Manufacturing engineer
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
Types of research and development engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
