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Science & ResearchISCO 2149

Research engineer

Research engineers combine research skills and knowledge of engineering principles to assist in the development or design of new products and technology. They also improve existing technical processes, machines and systems and create new, innovative technologies. The duties of research engineers depend on the branch of engineering and the industry in which they work. Research engineers generally work in an office or laboratory, analysing processes and conducting experiments.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

collect samples for analysis

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

manage engineering project

gather experimental data

About research engineer

As a research engineer, you will be at the forefront of technological innovation, combining rigorous scientific methodology with practical engineering expertise. Your day-to-day work involves designing experiments, analyzing technical data, and developing prototypes in laboratory or office settings. You'll interpret technical requirements from stakeholders, execute feasibility studies, and gather experimental data to validate new concepts or improve existing systems across industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or advanced materials.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a research engineer.

1

Experimental Design and Execution

  • Design controlled experiments to test engineering hypotheses and validate technical concepts
  • Gather and document experimental data with precision and accuracy
  • Conduct feasibility studies to assess technical viability of new projects
2

Technical Documentation and Design

  • Create and interpret technical drawings using specialized CAD software
  • Define technical requirements based on project specifications and stakeholder needs
  • Develop detailed technical specifications for manufacturing or implementation
3

Research and Development Management

  • Manage engineering projects from concept through development to prototype testing
  • Conduct scientific research using established methodologies and best practices
  • Improve existing technical processes and systems through systematic analysis
4

Analysis and Problem Solving

  • Analyze experimental results and technical data to identify trends and patterns
  • Troubleshoot technical issues and develop solutions for process improvements
  • Collect and prepare samples for analysis and testing

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.industrial research and developmentindustrial research and developmentThe set of activities that companies carry out to do industrial innovation and introduce new engineering products and services or new industrial production processes.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.collect samples for analysiscollect samples for analysisCollect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.manage engineering projectmanage engineering projectManage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.gather experimental datagather experimental dataCollect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.interpret technical requirementsinterpret technical requirementsAnalyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.execute feasibility studyexecute feasibility studyPerform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the p...define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...
Optional (22) — show
battery designbattery designThe techniques used to design batteries, characterise their properties and performance, including electrochemical analysis and physical measurements, as well as to devise the integration of various co...bioeconomybioeconomyThe production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.scientific literaturescientific literatureThe medium of informing the scientific community, including academic researchers, about the results of scientific research. It constitutes a permanent and cumulative collection of all the findings of ...industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.computational mechanicscomputational mechanicsThe use of modelling and simulation to predict complex physical behaviours in science and engineering. It interacts with other areas in mechanics including solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, but als...cognitive computingcognitive computingThe interdisciplinary field between cognitive science and computer science that involves simulating human thinking processes through a computerised approach. It makes use of algorithms for data mining...perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.apply advanced manufacturingapply advanced manufacturingImprove production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs, and changeovers of products and processes using relevant advanced, innovative, and cutting edge technology.run laboratory simulationsrun laboratory simulationsRun simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.use non-destructive testing equipmentuse non-destructive testing equipmentUse specific non-destructive testing methods and equipment that do not cause any damage to the product, such as X-rays, ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, industrial CT scanning and oth...use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.write manualswrite manualsWrite down instructions about how to properly and safely use equipment, machinery, and systems.conduct experiments on animalsconduct experiments on animalsTest medicines and other product on animals in order to discover their effects.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.use mathematical tools and equipmentuse mathematical tools and equipmentUse portable electronic device to perform both basic and complex operations of arithmetic.develop test proceduresdevelop test proceduresDevelop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of products, systems, and components.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a research engineer do?

Research engineers combine research skills and knowledge of engineering principles to assist in the development or design of new products and technology. They also improve existing technical processes, machines and systems and create new, innovative technologies. The duties of research engineers depend on the branch of engineering and the industry in which they work. Research engineers generally work in an office or laboratory, analysing processes and conducting experiments.

What skills does a research engineer need?

A research engineer needs 13 essential skills, including engineering principles, technical drawings, project management, industrial research and development, scientific research methodology.

Will AI replace research engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for research engineer is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: use mathematical tools and equipment, write manuals, scientific literature. Most resilient: conduct experiments on animals, apply safety procedures in laboratory, bioeconomy.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills13

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