For a technical ladder comprising seven rungs, the role characteristics taken from a chemical industry example, are described below. As a person moves up the rungs, the amount of experience typically available increases as does the typical length of the projects or tasks assigned to that individual. Likewise a person’s project skill level increases, from running simple projects to running complex platform programs that are key to the organization’s sustained business success. Also key is the ability to lead others, which increases as one moves-up the ladder. Example Job Titles and Level Descriptions follow:
Level 1 – Chemist, physicist, engineer, etc.
GENERAL: This is an apprenticeship period, with the incumbent progressively developing his or her professional maturity, judgment, and experience. For the person who continues to develop this period would cover the first few years beyond the bachelor’s degree.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION RECEIVED: detailed
TECHNICAL DIRECTION GIVEN: they give general technical direction to several nonprofessional personnel.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY: none.
SCOPE: seek solutions to technical problems. Work may range from the use of defined methods to exercising some degree of technical judgment.
Level 2 – Research chemist, physicist, etc.
GENERAL: At this stage, the engineer or scientist is working at a professional level and could be termed a journeyman in his or her field. Responsibilities are likely to encompass a project and the person receives general supervision from more senior professionals. May be directing one or more technical personnel who are Level 1 as well as some non-professional assistants.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION RECEIVED: works with little or no technical guidance.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION GIVEN: may give technical direction to a group of professional or nonprofessional personnel.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: minimal.
SCOPE: plans and executes technical programs within his or her area of specialty; expected to initiate new projects within an existing program.
Level 3T – Senior research chemist, physicist, etc.
GENERAL: This level is characterized by concentration in technical or specific specialty leading to recognition within the company, or the profession, on the basis of technical competence.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION RECEIVED: works with little or no technical guidance.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION GIVEN: may give technical direction to a group of professional or nonprofessional personnel.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: minimal
SCOPE: plans and executes technical programs within his or her area of specialty; expected to initiate new projects within an existing program.
Level 3A – Group leader
GENERAL: this level involves technical supervision with responsibility covering several projects and a considerable area of classical supervisory problems. Level 3A is normally considered to be the first line management or supervision.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION RECEIVED: receives general technical guidance from Level 4A
TECHNICAL DIRECTION GIVEN: gives technical direction to the lowest organizational entity which normally consists of 1 to 30 professional and nonprofessional personnel. Such direction includes planning, scheduling, and assignment of work within a program area.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: normally spends 10 to 50% of his or her time on administrative responsibilities. Implements safety, security, and disciplinary policies. Interviews and makes recommendations to hire, transfer, and/or terminate personnel. Responsible for the orientation and development of personnel. Review’s performance and recommends adjustment in compensation.
SCOPE: participates in and pursues patents and other intellectual property. Assists in the preparation, editing, and approval of project reports. Prepares periodic progress reports to higher management. May participate in planning and administrating the budget. Originates, initiates, and tracks new projects within an approved program area.
Level 4T – research associate
GENERAL: the technical specialist exhibits superior scientific proficiency and is a recognized expert in his or her field. He or she would have minimum administrative responsibilities; be expected to perform advanced studies and to give technical guidance to others in the organization.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION RECEIVED: capable of independent work including initiation, planning, and execution of abroad program assignments with no professional guidance.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION GIVEN: may have technical responsibility for those working with him or her in his or her field or specialization.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: minimal
SCOPE: conducts independent research and investigations to define and develop the functional theory about proposed product or process. Conceives and expands theories pertaining to new applications of existing products and/or processes along with the modification of product and/or processes in order to broaden the scope and application. Invents and designs complex products and processes and may assist in engineering these into production. Analyzes and evaluates the scope and objective of inventive ideas.
Level 4A – section manager
GENERAL: this level is normally considered to be the second line management or supervision with responsibility for substantial technical activity.
TECHNICAL DIRECTION RECEIVED: minimal
TECHNICAL DIRECTION GIVEN: gives technical direction to one or more organizations, entities, or professional and nonprofessional personnel (normally in excess of 25 people). Such activity includes the planning, implementing, coordinating, and interpreting of one or more technical platforms.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES: normally spends 20 to 60% of his or her time on administrative duties. Responsible for safety, security, and disciplinary action. Initiates action to hire, compensate, transfer, and terminate personnel. Responsible for appraising, counseling, orienting, and developing lower levels.
SCOPE: establishes program objectives in line with company’s interests. Establishes budget for approval by higher management and controls expenditures within the approved budget. Originates and initiates new program areas. Responsible for inter-and intra-company liaison. Participates in the formulation, interpretation, transmission, and administration of research and development policy and actions. Participates in patent decisions. Reviews and communicates technical programs to higher management. Conceives and recommends new programs to broaden the product or process application, modifies the existing product or process, and creates entirely new products or processes.
Level 5T and Level 5A – Senior research associate and department head, lab directors, etc.
GENERAL: in order to emphasize personnel can and do attain growth beyond that of level 4T or 4A, this level would include those personnel who have demonstrated outstanding technical excellence and normally have received national or international recognition for their contributions. The stature of this level is comparable to that of the top research and development management function. He or she covers a wide organizational span for his or her contributions and can affect not only top research and development management, but also corporate management. The duties of this level are primarily that of a consulting an independent research nature coupled with broad latitude for the selection of programs.