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“Research and Development Technician” will probably not be replaced by robots.

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Job Description

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 17-3027.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 57,180.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 27.00
Currently, there are 45,510 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Mechanical Engineering Technicians”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Research and Development Technician”

Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
Test equipment, using test devices attached to generator, voltage regulator, or other electrical parts, such as generators or spark plugs.
Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
Inspect lines and figures for clarity and return erroneous drawings to designer for correction.
Confer with technicians and submit reports of test results to engineering department and recommend design or material changes.
Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
Operate drill press, grinders, engine lathe, or other machines to modify parts tested or to fabricate experimental parts for testing.
Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
Devise, fabricate, and assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.
Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.
Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing.

Related Technology & Tools

Brazing equipment
Surface grinding machines
Hex keys
Scribers
Ring gauges
Safety goggles
Metal inert gas MIG welding equipment
Tensile testers
Locking pliers
Metal cutting taps
Twin-screw extruders
Rotational molders
Twist drills
Sheet metal slitters
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Signal conditioners
Durometers
Dial calipers
Wire cutters
Impact testers
Arc welding equipment
Torque meters
Straight screwdrivers
Polishing machines
Sine bars
Rotameters
Metallographs
Dry rod ovens
Taper plug gauges
Guided bend weld test units
Air compressors
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Clamp-on ammeters
Bend test fixtures
Hydraulic universal testers
Ultrasound inspection equipment
Punch presses
Fatigue testers
Spot welders
Lathes
Granite surface plates
Safety gloves
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Hardness testers
Dynamometers
Power drills
Force sensors
C clamps
Digitizing tablets
Protractors
Digital multimeters
Dynamic mechanical analyzers DMA
Screw gauge micrometers
Spirit levels
Compression testing machines
Measuring tapes
Computerized numerical control CNC vertical milling machines
Vibration testers
Drafting plotters
Wire strippers
Socket wrench sets
Drill presses
Vernier height gauges
Band saws
Marking gauges
Screw thread gauges
Temperature sensors
Extrusion machines
Pressure sensors
Milling machines
Micrometers
Signal generators
Power grinders
Belt sanders
Power shears
Switched amplifiers
Microprocessors
Nut drivers
Adjustable wrenches
Welding masks
Scroll saws
Go/no-go gauges
Vacuum molders
Steel rules
Coordinate measuring machines CMM
Plane-parallel gauge blocks
Linear amplifiers
Hacksaws
Phillips head screwdrivers
Utility knives
Dial indicators
Heat treatment furnaces
Shear testers
Slip joint pliers
Layout squares
Portable welding equipment
Soldering equipment
Injection molding machines
Load cells
Track burning machines
Metal cutting dies
Bore gauges
Strain gauges
Long nose pliers
Combination milling machines
Electronic comparators
Offset screwdrivers
Snap gauges
Vernier calipers
Hand brakes
Anemometers
Combination squares
Positioning jigs
Freon recovery equipment
High-voltage amplifiers
Optical compound microscopes
Optical comparators
Mill files
Claw hammers
Fluid meters
Center punches
Slotted screwdrivers
Personal computers
Pedestal grinders
Computerized numerical control CNC lathes
Arc-joint pliers
Oscilloscopes
Cylindrical grinders
Screw pitch gauges
Power sheet metal shears
Stick welding machines
Laptop computers
Gas welding equipment
Accelerometers

Bentley MicroStation
IBM CATIA V5
National Instruments LabVIEW
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Dassault Systems SOLIDWORKS
CNC Mastercam
Microsoft Project
Computer aided design CAD software
Corel WordPerfect
Web browser software
Spectral Dynamics STARModal
Spectral Dynamics STARAcoustics
MSC Software Adams
Microsoft Visual Basic
Autodesk Revit
Creo Parametric Pro/ENGINEER
Microsoft Excel
Autodesk Inventor
The MathWorks MATLAB
Three-dimensional 3D solid modeling software
C++
Wolfram Research Mathematica
Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
ANSYS Mechanical
Robotic control software
Computerized numerical control CNC programming software
SAP
Microsoft Office
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
PTC Creo Parametric
Soft Servo Systems LadderWorks PLC