4756-4758; 4899: Research and Development Engineer 1-4
Job Family: Engineering
Job Function: Research and Dev Engineering
Category: Professional
Job Summary: Involves professional engineering and engineering technician support as part of academic instructional lab and/or research projects and programs. Engineering activities include the design, construction, testing of experimental systems, operation of analytical systems, establishment of performance specifications, and documentation. Engineering Technicians may be assigned duties within a single discipline (e.g., electrical) or span a range of disciplines [Note: machine specialty work in a research or lab setting is generally performed by the Lab Mechanician job titles].
| Job Level | Entry | Intermediate | Experienced | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job Title | R&D Engineer 1 TX | R&D Engineer 2 TX | R&D Engineer 3 TX | R&D Engineer 4 TX |
| Job Code | 4756 | 4757 | 4758 | 4899 |
| Bargaining Unit | TX | TX | TX | TX |
| Per. Program | PSS | PSS | PSS | MSP |
| FLSA | Non-Exempt | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Generic Scope | Entry-level professional with limited prior experience; learns to use professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity; works on assignments that are initially routine in nature, requiring limited judgment and decision making. Employees at this level are expected to acquire the skills and knowledge to perform more advanced work following an agreed upon time in position, through defined training and development planning. | Professional who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments / projects / tasks of moderate scope and complexity; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. | Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems / issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. | Technical leader with a high degree of knowledge in the overall field and recognized expertise in specific areas; problem-solving frequently requires analysis of unique issues / problems without precedent and / or structure. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. |
| Custom Scope | Uses professional engineering concepts. Develops and proposes engineering plans and specifications for equipment and instruments with limited scope and complexity. Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. This title is bargaining unit only. There should never be an uncovered position. | Uses professional engineering concepts to perform moderately complex engineering assignments. Works in a specialized engineering field on a major training and / or research effort. Works on assignments of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of a variety of factors. Normally, you would use the bargaining unit job code for work covered by the title. If this is a position that is not covered by the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA), because they are: 1) Confidential – meaning employee’s duties normally require access to confidential information which contributes significantly to the development of management’s positions in bargaining or grievances; or 2) the employee is employed outside of California at a location with 100 or fewer employees or 3) Supervisory – supervises employee as regular part of the job duties, then you would be the generic title without the TX ending. | Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced engineering professional in a specialized engineering field on a major training and / or research effort. Assignments typically require concentration in a field of application where subject matter knowledge relevant to research objectives and methodology is of great value in understanding and establishing engineering design criteria. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Normally, you would use the bargaining unit job code for work covered by the title. If this is a position that is not covered by the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA), because they are: 1) Confidential – meaning employee’s duties normally require access to confidential information which contributes significantly to the development of management’s positions in bargaining or grievances; or 2) the employee is employed outside of California at a location with 100 or fewer employees or 3) Supervisory – supervises employee as regular part of the job duties, then you would be the generic title without the TX ending | Uses advanced engineering concepts and campus objectives to lead and perform the work of an engineering team engaged in a specialized engineering field on a training and / or research program. Regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Normally, you would use the bargaining unit job code for work covered by the title. If this is a position that is not covered by the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA), because they are: 1) Confidential – meaning employee’s duties normally require access to confidential information which contributes significantly to the development of management’s positions in bargaining or grievances; or 2) the employee is employed outside of California at a location with 100 or fewer employees or 3) Supervisory – supervises employee as regular part of the job duties, then you would be the generic title without the TX ending |
| Key Responsibilities | Under direct supervision, participates in the construction, assembly, and laboratory and field testing of equipment and instruments. Under direct supervision, participates in engineering and mathematical analysis of experimental data or in the mathematical solution of physical and engineering problems. Acquires skills to independently perform more complex analyses, assembly, laboratory, field testing of equipment and instruments. Gathers and analyzes data. Develops formal engineering reports, drawings and status reports. Work is subject to review by a more senior level Engineer. | Under general supervision, designs and prepares engineering plans and specifications of moderate complexity for novel laboratory equipment and instruments. Under general supervision, participates in the solution of physical and mathematical analysis of experimental data or in the mathematical solution of physical and engineering problems. Gathers and analyzes data; prepares formal engineering reports, drawings and status reports. Work subject to review by a more senior level Engineer. Assists with implementation of business processes. | Provides full range of professional engineering services to research projects; meets with research staff in the design and development phase. Determines project specifications and parameters. Performs design, construction, assembly and testing of complex experimental equipment and instrument systems. May provide engineering information and advice to Principal Investigators and / or other faculty and research personnel with administrative responsibility for the research program or teaching facility. Gathers, analyzes, prepares and summarizes annual and semi-annual reports. Provides direction and guidance to lower level R&D Engineers. Implements related business processes. | Functions as project manager for complex engineering assignments. Represents the unit and / or Principal Investigator to whom they are responsible at meetings and conferences in matters related to engineering design considerations and financial requirements. Provides cost analysis using time schedules and budgetary considerations. Provides engineering information and advice to Principal Investigators and / or other faculty and research personnel with administrative responsibility for the research program or teaching facility. May prepare bid packages for outside vendors. May serve on professional committees in field of specialization. May supervise in-house fabrication of prototypes. Schedules and assigns projects to staff. Ensures work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Analyzes and resolves work problems or assists staff in solving work problems. Provides direction and guidance to lower level Development Engineers. Plans, organizes, and performs the work of a professional engineering team engaged in a specialized engineering field of a training and / or research program. May lead a team of engineering professionals. |
| Education 1 | Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training | Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training | Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training | Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training |
| Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities | Basic knowledge of engineering principles and methods to perform entry-level professional engineering functions. Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the field. Analytical skills, and strong skills in attention to detail. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Analytical and judgment skills to conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations. Ability to work in a collaborative manner. | Working knowledge of engineering principles and methods in order to independently perform professional engineering design work of limited scope and complexity. Working knowledge necessary to begin independent application of principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments. Organizational abilities and decision-making to prioritize work assignments. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work in a collaborative manner, to assist in identifying any challenges or barriers. | Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work. Thorough knowledge necessary to apply principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments. Demonstrated organizational and decision-making abilities to prioritize competing work assignments in order to meet deadlines and adherence to quality standards. Strong analytical and judgment skills to independently conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations. Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Ability to work in a collaborative manner; identify challenges and barriers and recommend resolutions. Ability to lead and influence others. | Advanced knowledge associated with the planning, development, and fabrication of engineering systems. Advanced knowledge of specialized design work as well as the overall field. Strong creativity and problem solving abilities to apply principles, practices and procedures within discipline to complete difficult assignments. Strong project management skills needed to assume responsibility for accomplishment of research objectives. Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. Advanced interpersonal and presentation skills. Ability to work in a highly collaborative manner; readily assess complex challenges and barriers and recommend effective resolutions. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and influence others. |
| Environment | Classroom, office, laboratory, research facility, research field stations or remote sites | Classroom, office, laboratory, research facility, research field stations or remote sites | Classroom, office, laboratory, research facility, research field stations or remote sites | Classroom, office, laboratory, research facility, research field stations or remote sites |
| Career Path | R&D Engineer 2 TX | R&D Engineer 3 TX | R&D Engineer 4 TX | R&D Engineer 5 Engineering > R&D Engineering > Supervisory and Management |