Skills & Competencies for Research and Development Engineer

Research and Development Engineer job profile

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JOB SUMMARY for Research and Development Engineer

Conducts research and development activities for an organization.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Research and Development Engineer

Applies research theories, principles, and models when conducting experiments and research activities. Summarizes research results and communicates findings to internal and external bodies. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures projects are on time and within budget. Develops technical documentation for all projects.

Research and Development Engineer SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$126,179
TOTAL 50%
$133,040
Job Level
P03
Job Code
RD14000168
Education/Degree
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent
Reports To
Top Management

Research and Development Engineer Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Research and Development Engineer skill and competencie below to view definitions.
INDUSTRY COMPETENCIES JOB FAMILY COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES
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6 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Research and Development Engineer

1 Industry Competency – Engineering Analysis
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Applying analytic principles and methods to identify the properties and state of a system, device, or mechanism.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the key elements of engineering analysis in solving specific problems or issues.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in project planning and analysis to identify opportunities and needs.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Checks project data and resources for engineering analysis to determine specifications.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Controls engineering workflows to create and evaluate operational reports.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs resource consumption patterns by measuring the effectiveness of the engineering analysis function.
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2 Industry Competency – Root Cause Analysis
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Identifying and analyzing the causes of issues to reduce recurrence using problem-solving techniques.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the methodologies of root cause analysis and its applications.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows best practices and data-gathering techniques for an effective root cause analysis.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements resolutions and plans based on root cause analysis reports and related research.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads and mentors cross-functional teams with the implementation of appropriate root cause analysis techniques.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops simulation or engineering methodologies with a structured problem-solving approach.
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3 Research and Development Engineer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Research and Development Engineer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Research and Development Engineer
Proficiency Level - 5

2 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Research and Development Engineer

1 Job Family Competencies – Programming
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains computer programming principles and procedures.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers user requirements and defines system functionality for computer programming.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs code review across a variety of programming languages.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Improves existing computer programs to maintain efficiency and reliability.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops custom code to support assessments using multiple programming languages.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Technical Writing
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Writing about technical processes, instruction, and explaining efficiently how it works.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains technical writing principles, like single sourcing, content reuse, and dependency limiting.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Focuses on writing both technical and creative content for a targeted application and system.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Reviews the accuracy of technical and non-technical documentation.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees the implementation of new technical writing guidelines to ensure it is done correctly.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops best practices and processes to enable the scaling of growth in technical writing.
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3 Research and Development Engineer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Research and Development Engineer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Research and Development Engineer
Proficiency Level - 5

9 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Research and Development Engineer

1 Core Competencies – Analytical Thinking
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Gathering, organizing, and analyzing information to identify the root cause of organizational problems and develop alternative solutions accordingly.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Identifies tools that assist analytical thinking.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers necessary information from various channels to support decision-making.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Examines information or a situation thoroughly and in detail.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates the cost, return, risks, and achievements before recommending a solution.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Forecasts customers' expectations and formulates strategies to ensure customer satisfaction.
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2 Core Competencies – Innovation
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-The ability and process of implementing new ideas and initiatives to improve organizational performance.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Names our key stakeholders from a business value chain perspective.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the planning, implementation, and management of training programs that foster process improvements.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Participates in the redesign of organizational structures to reflect business priorities.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Trains others on various business and operation topics.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Forecasts the short-term and long-term impact of various business cases on P&L performance.
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3 Research and Development Engineer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Research and Development Engineer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Research and Development Engineer
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Research and Development Engineer skills and competencies

There are 6 hard skills for Research and Development Engineer, Engineering Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Cost Estimation, etc.
2 general skills for Research and Development Engineer, Programming, Technical Writing.
9 soft skills for Research and Development Engineer, Analytical Thinking, Innovation, Attention to Detail, etc.
While the list totals 17 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Research and Development Engineer, he or she needs to be skilled in Analytical Thinking, be skilled in Innovation, and be skilled in Attention to Detail.

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