What does a start-up engineer do?
A start-up engineer must have systematic debugging skills. They are responsible for fixing bugs reported by clients. They must also promptly navigate unfamiliar codebases. They develop new tools to meet clients' needs.
Start-up engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real start-up engineer resumes:
- Manage general facilities including commissioning, building management systems, and calibrations for GMP area for tablets production operation.
- Implement Honeywell TDC 3000 DCS control system, including operating graphics, alarm management hierarchy and operator training.
- Develop and apply software PLC & NC software routines and patches.
- Execute commissioning documents for GMP HVAC units, non-hygienic systems, and hygienic systems.
- Programme several PLC's and HMI's primarily for the oil and gas industry.
- Include program verification of associate DCS software.
- Maintained/Monitore critical HVAC and air compressor systems.
- Design include infrastructure for water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, roadways, and a storm water management system for pollution control
- Locate and test analyzers and repair failures in electrical and electronic circuits and equipment.
Start-up engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Start-Up Engineers are proficient in Test Results, Control Systems, and Test Procedures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Start-Up Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Results, 11%
Drafted technical reports on system test results.
- Control Systems, 11%
Maintained and configured security, surveillance and automated control systems equipment.
- Test Procedures, 9%
Authored detailed acceptance test procedures for Gamma Monitoring Carts and Data Acquisition System.
- Project Management, 7%
Provided technical support to the project management and construction project teams related to electrical and mechanical services associated with the projects.
- OSHA, 6%
Researched OSHA and Consumer Product Safety Commission releases and communicated relevant information.
- Mechanical Equipment, 5%
Prepared, initiated, and verified lock-out/tag-outs (LOTO) of electrical and mechanical equipment for multiple plant departments.
Most start-up engineers use their skills in "test results," "control systems," and "test procedures" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential start-up engineer responsibilities here:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a start-up engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what start-up engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a start-up engineer resume shows how start-up engineers use creativity: "programmed customer inventory report views with customized inventory listings generated from the python back-end system. "
Listening skills. Many start-up engineer duties rely on listening skills. "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists," so a start-up engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways start-up engineer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "tested requests and communicated with both the dba and customer support teams to ensure that everyone was in sync. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of start-up engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday start-up engineer duties, as "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "solved distillation column operations problem to resume elvanol (tm) plant operations which had been severely curtailed for a month. "
Mechanical skills. start-up 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 start-up engineers do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "handled troubleshooting for electrical, mechanical and analog process control systems using engineering blueprints. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for start-up engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of start-up engineers all the time, as "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An excerpt from a real start-up engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a start-up engineer does: "modify and/ or create cad geometry to create structural computational domains. "
The three companies that hire the most start-up engineers are:
- Motion Recruitment11 start-up engineers jobs
- Air Products7 start-up engineers jobs
- Applied Materials2 start-up engineers jobs
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Compare different start-up engineers
Start-up engineer vs. Technical services engineer
A technical services engineer is responsible for assisting customers on their systems and network issues, providing them the best technical solutions, and guiding them on step-by-step procedures for troubleshooting. Technical services engineers must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially on identifying customers' system failures by asking them a few questions. They also escalate high-level complaints to internal teams, ensuring that they present the client's issues for reference. A technical services engineer also handles systems configuration and recommending process improvement techniques to optimize network infrastructure.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, start-up engineer responsibilities require skills like "test results," "control systems," "test procedures," and "direct supervision." Meanwhile a typical technical services engineer has skills in areas such as "customer service," "technical support," "technical service," and "customer satisfaction." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Technical services engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,876. Comparatively, start-up engineers tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $97,242.The education levels that technical services engineers earn slightly differ from start-up engineers. In particular, technical services engineers are 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a start-up engineer. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Start-up 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that start-up engineer responsibilities requires skills like "test results," "control systems," "direct supervision," and "osha." But a product design engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cad," "mechanical design," "gd," and "prototyping."
On average, product design engineers earn a lower salary than start-up engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, product design engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $116,796. Whereas start-up engineers have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $97,242.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Product design engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than start-up engineers. In fact, they're 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Start-up 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, start-up engineers are more likely to have skills like "direct supervision," "osha," "mechanical equipment," and "p id." But a development engineer is more likely to have skills like "java," "python," "c #," and "software development."
Development engineers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $105,648. Comparatively, start-up engineers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $97,242.Most development engineers achieve a higher degree level compared to start-up engineers. For example, they're 9.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Start-up engineer vs. Consulting engineer
A consulting engineer is an individual who aids in the planning, designing, and construction of a project from the public and private clients. Consulting engineers are required to advise on the best component suitable according to the needs of their clients. They can manage the project by coordinating with designers, architects, and relevant persons who have commissioned the project. They may incorporate green sustainable energy solutions based on the demands of their clients. Consulting engineers must also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the estimated cost for the project.
Types of start-up engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
