Research Engineer I, II, III or Senior

Position Function:

Research Engineer I

This is the entry level of professional work. Incumbents perform routine engineering work, evaluating, selecting and applying standardized engineering procedures and techniques to assignments with clear, specific objectives; assignments require investigation of a limited number of variables and few complex features. Limited exercise of judgment is required on details of work and in making preliminary selections and adaptations of alternatives. For training and development purposes, assignments may include some work that is typically of a higher level.

Research Engineer II

This is the intermediate level-developing/maturing professional. May be entry level for M. S. who has equivalent experience related to area of specialization and who has the required B. S. Engineering degree. Independently evaluates, selects, and applies standardized engineering procedures; assignments have clear and specified objectives, and require the investigation of a limited number of variables. Incumbent relies on limited experience and exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices

Research Engineer III

This is the fully competent professional, independent researcher level and may be an entry level for PhD who has equivalent experience related to area of specialization in addition to the required B. S. Engineering degree. Plans and executes research. Capable of working independently and without direction on assigned tasks/projects. Plans and conducts work requiring independent judgment in the evaluation, selection, and substantial adaptation/modification of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria. Devises new approaches to problems encountered. Uses a wide application of complex principles, theories, and concepts in the specific field. Works on complex problems of a borad scope where analysis of data requires in-depth evaluation of identifiable factors. Project results may impact MSU research mission; results are visible/impactful in peer community. Requires sufficient professional experience to assure competence as a fully functional research engineer.

Senior Research Engineer

Has full technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments. Plans and directs research projects. Coordinates research and development activities between disciplines. This involves exploration of subject area, definition of scope and selection of problems for investigation, and development of novel concepts and approaches. Works on extremely complex problems that impact the design success of current products or addresses broad design issues of future products or technologies; analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variance factors. Research has substantial impact that extends knowledge and understanding. Maintains liaison with individuals and units within and outside the project, with responsibility for acting independently on technical matters pertaining to own field. This level usually requires extensive progressive professional experience, including work comparable to Research Engineer III level.

Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year.

Salary Grade:  15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Advanced Composites Institute, or ACI, focuses on pioneering transformational composite
technologies in a variety of critical sectors, including aerospace, civil, military, energy, automotive and other emerging markets. It was created at MSU with the donation of a revolutionary stitched composite process and equipment originally developed at NASA by pioneering scientist Marvin B. Dow.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Research Engineer I
1. Using accepted methods and techniques, solves well-defined problems and performs specific and limited portions of broader projects, under technical guidance of an experienced engineer.
2. Applies standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjusts and correlates data, recognizes discrepancies in results, and follows operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes.
3. Defines and improves