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:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

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

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 17
• Minimum – $141,700.00
• MidPoint – $180,700.00
• Maximum – $219,600.00