What does a research engineer do?
Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.
Research engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research engineer resumes:
- Lead and organize the whole system debugging, test, and integration.
- Prepare research proposals for the synthesis of small molecules to attain designate department goals.
- Lead a team of software QA test engineers in the prioritization and assignment of tasks and the solving of technical problems.
- Develop several LabVIEW applications used for data acquisition and logging.
- Balance multiple embed system design and prototyping projects relate to jet engine diagnostics and prognostics.
- Utilize high dexterity to assemble fuel cell hardware.
- Manufacture hydrofoils by using CNC machining and carbon fiber pressure molding.
- Used torch7 & python for research and torch7 & OpenCV for deployment.
- Initiate re-design using Java to replace Max/MSP JavaScript objects to reduce maintenance efforts.
- Work with principle investigator on the study of microbes find in the rhizosphere.
- Analyze lipid extracts using fluorescent microscopy, GC, LC-MS and HPLC techniques.
- Express telomerase protein in culture human cells and quantify enzyme activity by reverse transcriptase PCR.
- Design and implement an automate robotic work cells, CNC gantry system machinery and fixtures.
- Develop and implement crystallization methods of complex metal hydrides to be used for XRD analysis.
- Design and build prototypes of windows with an interior thin mechanical shade for improve energy efficiency.
Research engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Research Engineers are proficient in Python, Java, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Mechanical skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Research Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 18%
Developed software for statistical signal processing applications in Python and C++.
- Java, 6%
Translated use case models (in UML) into Java code utilizing Rational XDE (Eclipse) and Rational Rose Suite
- Software Development, 5%
Pursued funded research into distributed, networked computing with the emphasis on innovative software development and debugging tools.
- C, 4%
Designed and developed software programs to convert proprietary hydrocarbon intensity data into SEG-Y formatted data using C under UNIX.
- C++, 4%
Identified and documented defects in the c++ production code.
- Data Analysis, 4%
Performed calibration, efficiency tests, and thermodynamic data analysis for gas-fired heating units; data used to develop governmental standards.
Most research engineers use their skills in "python," "java," and "software development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research engineer responsibilities here:
Listening skills. The most essential soft skill for a research engineer to carry out their responsibilities is listening skills. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." Additionally, a research engineer resume shows how their duties depend on listening skills: "involved in event/listener effort using java.util.eventlistener. "
Mechanical skills. Many research engineer duties rely on mechanical skills. "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems.," so a research engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research engineer responsibilities rely on mechanical skills: "prepared laboratory equipment and specimens for bio-mechanical testing. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for research engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how research engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research engineer: "maintain laboratory equipment, specimen records, inventory, standard operating procedures in accordance to laboratory safety and compliance. ".
Math skills. A big part of what research engineers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to research engineer responsibilities because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical research engineer tasks: "utilized matlab, simulink, minitab and other software for mathematical modeling and control of manufacturing processes. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a research engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what research 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 engineer duties can be seen in an example from a research engineer resume snippet: "provide solutions using dod architecture framework (dodaf) guidlines. "
The three companies that hire the most research engineers are:
- Meta140 research engineers jobs
- Siemens58 research engineers jobs
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory45 research engineers jobs
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Compare different research engineers
Research engineer vs. Product development engineer
A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research engineers and product development engineer. For instance, research engineer responsibilities require skills such as "python," "c #," "software development," and "c." Whereas a product development engineer is skilled in "product design," "prototype," "fea," and "ul." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Product development engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,062. Comparatively, research engineers tend to make the most money in the start-up industry with an average salary of $141,240.product development engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than research engineers. In fact, product development engineers are 7.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Research engineer vs. Mechanical design engineer
A mechanical design engineer specializes in designing various mechanical devices that will be vital in developing machinery or large structures. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around conducting thorough research and analysis, establishing layouts and prototypes, producing progress reports, and working alongside fellow engineers and skilled professionals. Typically assigned in an office setting, a mechanical design engineer must visit construction sites or factories to test and observe equipment qualities. Furthermore, during production, there are instances when a mechanical engineer must coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and clients.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "python," "c #," "java," and "software development." Meanwhile, a mechanical design engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "mechanical design," "gd," "creo," and "fea." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, mechanical design engineers earn a lower salary than research engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, mechanical design engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $87,483. Whereas research engineers have higher pay in the start-up industry, with an average salary of $141,240.In general, mechanical design engineers achieve lower levels of education than research engineers. They're 11.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 7.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Shenda Baker
President and CEO, Treasurer of the Materials Research Society, Synedgen
Research engineer vs. Design engineer internship
When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to report to the supervising manager and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research engineers are more likely to have skills like "c #," "software development," "c," and "research projects." But a design engineer internship is more likely to have skills like "level analysis," "verilog," "powerpoint," and "design reviews."
Design engineer interns earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $62,117. Research engineers earn the highest pay from the start-up industry, with an average salary of $141,240.Most design engineer interns achieve a lower degree level compared to research engineers. For example, they're 11.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research engineer vs. Product design engineer
A Product Design Engineer designs new products that customers will want to purchase. They are responsible for designing, modeling, and testing prototypes for products.
Types of research engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
