Research Engineer
Snapshot
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.
Research engineers bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application. Your days might involve analyzing existing processes, designing and conducting experiments in a laboratory or office setting, and developing prototypes for new products or technologies. The specific tasks vary significantly depending on your engineering specialization (e.g., mechanical, electrical, chemical) and the industry you work in. You'll collaborate with other engineers and scientists, utilizing your problem-solving skills to drive innovation.
- • Conducting research and experiments to test new concepts and technologies.
- • Developing and designing prototypes of new products or systems.
- • Analyzing data and writing reports on research findings.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $120,630 2025-05 | +7.2% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2025 * | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £51,950 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for research engineer
The outlook for research engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could research engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- manage engineering project
- define technical requirements
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- execute feasibility study
- use technical drawing software
- perform scientific research
Tasks most exposed to automation
- gather experimental data
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a research engineer
09 09:00 · Morning execute feasibility study
10 10:30 · Mid-morning manage engineering project
12 12:00 · Midday interpret technical requirements
14 14:00 · Afternoon collect samples for analysis
15 15:30 · Late afternoon define technical requirements
17 17:00 · Wrap-up gather experimental data
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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collect samples for analysis
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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use technical drawing software
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
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manage engineering project
Manage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.
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gather experimental data
Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
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interpret technical requirements
Analyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.
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execute feasibility study
Perform 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 process of decision making.
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define technical requirements
Specify 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 according to customer requirements.
engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
project management
The 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.
battery design
The 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 components, in order to meet specific requirements for different applications.
cognitive computing
The 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 and natural language processing to imitate the functioning of the human brain.
computational mechanics
The 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 also material science, mathematics and numerical methods.
- engineering principles
- industrial research and development
- scientific research methodology
- technical drawings
- bioeconomy
- CAD software
- industrial engineering
Path to become a research engineer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
1,153 programmes in 25 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 429 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Master of Science in Engineering Research and Innovation
South East Technological University · Ireland
Pre-master Mechanical Engineering
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven · the Netherlands
Aalto-yliopisto · Finland
Machine Learning and Visual Computing
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen · the Netherlands
Certificate in Machine Learning
Atlantic Technological University · Ireland
These are 6 of 1,582.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 3. Source: Opintopolku.fi (Finnish National Agency for Education)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does research engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of educational background is typically needed to become a research engineer?
How does the work of a research engineer differ from that of a development engineer?
What are some of the key personal qualities that contribute to success as a research engineer?
Is there a shortage of Research Engineer in Europe?
How much does Research Engineer pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data