4756-4758: Research and Development Engineer 1, 2, 3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Title | R&D Engineer 1 TX | R&D Engineer 2 TX | R&D Engineer 3 TX |
| Job Code | 4756 | 4757 | 4758 |
| Bargaining Unit | TX | TX | TX |
| FLSA | Non-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. |
| 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 CX 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 CX ending |
| Key Resp 01 | Under direct supervision, participates in the construction, assembly, and laboratory and field testing of equipment and instruments. | Under general supervision, designs and prepares engineering plans and specifications of moderate complexity for novel laboratory equipment and instruments. | Provides full range of professional engineering services to research projects; meets with research staff in the design and development phase. |
| Key Resp 02 | Under direct supervision, participates in engineering and mathematical analysis of experimental data or in the mathematical solution of physical and engineering problems. | 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. | Determines project specifications and parameters. |
| Key Resp 03 | Acquires skills to independently perform more complex analyses, assembly, laboratory, field testing of equipment and instruments. | Gathers and analyzes data; prepares formal engineering reports, drawings and status reports. | Performs design, construction, assembly and testing of complex experimental equipment and instrument systems. |
| Key Resp 04 | Gathers and analyzes data. Develops formal engineering reports, drawings and status reports. | Work subject to review by a more senior level Engineer. | 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. |
| Key Resp 05 | Work is subject to review by a more senior level Engineer. | Assists with implementation of business processes. | Gathers, analyzes, prepares and summarizes annual and semi-annual reports. |
| Key Resp 06 | Provides direction and guidance to lower level R&D Engineers. | ||
| Key Resp 07 | Implements related business processes. | ||
| 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 |
| Spec Cond 1 | Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations. | Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations. | Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations. |
| KSA 01 | Basic knowledge of engineering principles and methods to perform entry-level professional engineering functions. | Working knowledge of engineering principles and methods in order to independently perform professional engineering design work of limited scope and complexity. | Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work. |
| KSA 02 | Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the field. | Working knowledge necessary to begin independent application of principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments. | Thorough knowledge necessary to apply principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments. |
| KSA 03 | Analytical skills, and strong skills in attention to detail. | Organizational abilities and decision-making to prioritize work assignments. | Demonstrated organizational and decision-making abilities to prioritize competing work assignments in order to meet deadlines and adherence to quality standards. |
| KSA 04 | Effective written and verbal communication skills. | Effective written and verbal communication skills. | Strong analytical and judgment skills to independently conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations. |
| KSA 05 | Analytical and judgment skills to conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations. | Ability to work in a collaborative manner, to assist in identifying any challenges or barriers. | Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills. |
| KSA 06 | Ability to work in a collaborative manner. | Ability to work in a collaborative manner; identify challenges and barriers and recommend resolutions. | |
| KSA 07 | Ability to lead 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 |
| Career Path 1 | R&D Engineer 2 | R&D Engineer 3 | R&D Engineer 4 |