Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

The Research and Development Engineer works within the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) and falls under the specific approved promotion guidelines. Research and Development Engineers conduct research in a field or specialization of an engineering discipline to discover facts, or performs research directed toward investigation, evaluation, and application of known engineering theories and principles; plan and conduct, or direct engineering personnel in performance of complex engineering analyses and experiments to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technological areas; perform and/or coordinate hardware and software engineering activity; evaluate findings to develop new concepts, products, equipment, or processes, or to develop applications of findings to new uses; prepare technical reports for use by engineering or management personnel for long- and short-range planning, or for use by sales engineering personnel in sales or technical services activities.

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
• Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
• Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof
• Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations
• Manage projects of varying size and scope, including technical elements, budget/schedule implications, and communication with sponsor(s)
• Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; provide innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities
• Initiate or contribute to business development activities (i.e. white papers, proposals, etc.)
• May supervise the work of lower-level staff and undergraduate students

Level:

– Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates baseline working knowledge of routine work tasks. Follows the standard principles and practices. Acts under direct and frequent supervision using established procedures with detailed instructions. Participates as a team member and actively contributes to completion of team goals. Clearly communicates information.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– None

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Typically none

Problem Solving:

– Encounters routine problems
– Follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems

Independence of Action:

– Work is closely monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are provided
– Applies standard operating procedures with limited guidelines for deviation

Communication and Collaboration:

– Typically communicates internally within working unit
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Clearly communicates information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $76,700.00
• MidPoint – $95,900.00
• Maximum – $115,100.00