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Penn State Job Catalog

Engineering Technologist – Principal Professional (PSU2186)

Additional Levels
Job Strings

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Engineering Technologist



Job Summary

The Engineering Technologist supports research and development activities within a field or specialization of an engineering discipline through the application of known engineering principles and practices in order to develop new concepts, products, equipment, or processes.

Representative Duties

  • Collaborate with project leadership with the conceptual design of complex electromechanical systems and subsystems
  • Collaborate with engineering staff and senior engineering technologists in developing, defining, and/or deriving requirements to support the design of engineering products
  • Guide and provide input for technical work activities performed by engineering support staff and/or less experienced engineering technologists
  • Research, evaluate, and recommend new engineering products and tooling to support the development of project systems
  • Perform design, development, fabrication, installation, and use of custom electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems
  • Prepare test plans, procedures, reports, and other forms of formal documentation
  • Develop specialized electrical, mechanical, and/or software tools to support testing of complex electromechanical systems
  • Utilize computer aided design software to develop electrical, mechanical, and/or software products
  • Collaborate with a broad range of interoffice organizations to accomplish all phases of project development
  • Conduct tests, provide results, address issues, and recommend modifications related to electrical, mechanical, or software subsystems
  • Within specific engineering discipline, maintain an up-to-date knowledge of and work towards developing an advanced knowledge of design and analysis tools, test and measurement equipment, languages, and available products and services

Level Matrix

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
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 13
  • Minimum – $86,300.00
  • MidPoint – $107,900.00
  • Maximum – $129,500.00
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
8+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Additional Job Requirements