Research Engineer
Research engineers plan, design, develop, and build innovative equipment and technologies using a research-driven process. They perform investigations, testing, modeling, verifications, comparative analysis, and other forms of research to make educated recommendations.
They support and guide organizations or clients in making informed decisions based on this data, which is then used to develop action plans for designing and implementing systems and equipment that supports key objectives.
They also play an active role in strategic planning by providing ongoing research-based input and advice.
Job Overview
Salary
Workplace
How to Start
Job Overview
What does a Research Engineer do?
Research engineers develop, investigate and evaluate new products and equipment to be used in engineering industries. They are involved in a wide range of research activities and the development of new technologies. They are also responsible for improving existing technical processes and creating new innovative technologies. Research engineers find improvement solutions in response to specific problems.
Research engineers usually report to a supervisor. They work in an array of industries, including petroleum, aerospace, and the automotive industry. A successful research engineer should have technical skills, critical thinking skills, research skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
Problem Solving Skills
This role requires you to develop solutions to problems faced by your organization or within your industry. You may receive assignments or you may identify issues yourself and work toward improving relevant processes or components of the product or system. As a research engineer, you need to use creativity to ask questions and look at problems from a variety of perspectives to form more innovative solutions.
Technical Knowledge
Depending on your industry, you need to show proficiency in its relevant tools or equipment. For example, if your role requires you to develop software or technology, you may need familiarity with particular programming languages.
Project Management
These engineers lead teams through the product development process or other projects. You will need to show organization and time management abilities to ensure you and your colleagues stay on track to complete goals on time.
Communication Skills
You need to communicate your findings effectively in both verbal and written formats. Your duties may include conducting presentations or writing reports to convey important information or recommendations to team members, managers or clients. Communication skills include the interpersonal skills you need to collaborate successfully with members of your project teams.
Salary
How much does a Research Engineer make?
The average electronics research engineer salary in the United States is $96,344. Electronics research engineer salaries typically range between $75,000 and $122,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for electronics research engineers is $46.32 per hour.
These are 2025 national salary averages and may fluctuate based on location.
Workplace
What does the workplace for a Research Engineer look like?
Research engineers generally work full-time, which means at least 40 hours each week, often with the option to work overtime as needed. Depending on their engineering specialty, they can work in a variety of environments. Typically, however, they spend most of their time in an office or laboratory setting using tools, software and equipment relevant to their specialized field.
For example, a biomedical research engineer may work in a lab using advanced microscopes to observe and analyze chemical interactions. Meanwhile, a product research engineer may work in an office and use computer software to simulate the design and performance of a product, then write a report on their findings.
How to Start
How to become a Research Engineer?
To begin your research engineer career path, a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. You should have hands-on experience with a wide range of research tools and programs, including verification and testing programs.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a research engineer. In fact, many research engineer jobs require experience in a role such as research assistant. Meanwhile, many research engineers also have previous career experience in roles such as internship or graduate research assistant.
