Job: Research Engineer

wbeaty Says:

Feb 22, 2007 - Sounds more like an research engineering technician... Well, more like jack of all trades. Over half is technician work. But this job also requires analog/dig design, microwave PCB design, optics, machine shop, embedded VB, C/assembler, high voltage design... as well as skilled repair of all sorts of bizarre devices not taught in any tech school. I suspect that they want engineers with physics knowledge so they won't get killed by high-power high-voltage equipment.

boxa888 Says:

Apr 23, 2007 - u seem like a really smart man is there anything u have come across in your life thats out of the ordinary with your research. stuff that messes with physics and stuff that would be cool . thanks

picmario Says:

Jan 27, 2008 - Such a waste of workforce :D I mean why to give someone such a trivial tasks? Nice intro anyway.

pkhamidar2com Says:

Jun 28, 2008 - really nice

clkdragzta Says:

Aug 16, 2008 - how much do u earn a year?

anengineeringmind Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Im an engineer. Take a look at the video above for some more answers about what engineers do all day! I feel you man!

loltehinternet Says:

Sep 26, 2008 - In the US, people are paid for operating far below their potential.

dirtchew Says:

Oct 25, 2008 - Looks like a really fun job. Do you have any interesting stories about lab jokes/accidents?

biowerks Says:

Nov 19, 2008 - Watching your videos I've always assumed that you were a professor or something like that. At any rate it must be fascinating to be around all of those interesting devices and be able to "tinker" with all of the tools.

CONCERTMASTER69 Says:

Dec 29, 2008 - you give someone such trivial tasks so that it isn't the individuals (i.e., grad students post-docs) who actually do the research don't end up wasting their time (and the federal grant money that usually pays their salaries) fixing things (even though though they're perfectly capable of it or perfectly able to figure out how).

CONCERTMASTER69 Says:

Dec 29, 2008 - -don't +that

wbeaty Says:

Dec 29, 2008 - how much do u earn a year? It would be $70K-$80K for an outside electronics company. Pay at universities is lower. My first really fun job was running Tech dept. at Boston's science museum, and paid $20K with engineering degree. I'd been making way way more at a HW/SW company, before dumping the normal engineer salary and going after the fun. But back then I didn't have house payments, family, etc. I guess it was the nerd equivalent of hitchhiking Europe for a couple of years.

riknapeclipse Says:

Feb 22, 2009 - Wow. This field is under mechanical engineering, right? I've always wanted to become and RnD engineer when I graduate, albeit under wireless technology. Thanks. This video really amplified my desire to do my best in my courses today.

wbeaty Says:

Feb 22, 2009 - Nope, it's the electronics and computer department. We create analog stuff and embedded controllers, design PCBs, help with the physics side, etc. Our mechanical people I think are more considered "machinists," and run the machine shop. BUT... it's probably different in other places like Physics, SpaceAero, etc., and at other universities.

riknapeclipse Says:

Feb 22, 2009 - ah. I see... I'm so excited nyihaha. I hope you don't mind me asking, but is there such a field/degree called "electronics and communications" engineering (not electronics and computer engineering)?

wbeaty Says:

Feb 22, 2009 - Sure. You just specialize in analog electronics rather than digital, then go into "RF" the radio circuitry field and microwave etc. Power electronics.

mklvebu Says:

Mar 5, 2009 - Awesome! I like the real world shop!

mklvebu Says:

Mar 5, 2009 - riknapeclipse: Auburn University has a wireless engineering program.

hottdog2007 Says:

Mar 20, 2009 - woot! woot! go dawgs u know what I'M talkin' about!

Fullperson Says:

Apr 19, 2009 - I want to go into physics, but as research, not as a guy who fixes things.... I also heard physics is like math. It gets you the tools but you really can't find a job to do outside of teaching.

wbeaty Says:

Apr 19, 2009 - I want to go into physics, I'd get to the nearest college library and read lots of "PRL," the journal "Physics Review Letters." That should give a good view of current physics. Yep, physics is math first, PhD minimum requirement. But you could go into experimental. Then there's the other tradition. Get a normal 9-5 day job in hardware or software or the Swiss Patent Office, and work on physics/inventing/etc. in your spare time. Get lucky like Einstein and others, and strike it rich.

prototype9000 Says:

Jul 30, 2009 - you should go for lockheed martin they pay really good for skills like that should have never quit there for dell to be laid off.

10601a Says:

Aug 22, 2009 - I'm surprised they let you touch anything!

novatodeguitarra Says:

Sep 22, 2009 - wow jack nicholson is an engineer

nikkiglider Says:

Oct 4, 2009 - I have ended up a physics teacher, though I never had any intention of doing so (my degree is in Biology). I wanted to tell you that you are my hero.