Engineer Career Paths
	General Path					Problem Solving
	Behavioral Dimensions					Innovation/Creativity
	Technical Expertise					Autonomy/Exercise of Judgment
	Project Management
General Path
Associate Engineer		Learns activities and tasks associated with own work/role
				Learns to work/cooperate with co-workers
				Depends on others for instructions, guidance and direction
Engineer		Composite level between learning stage and full competency stage
				Makes a significant contribution to the work team
				Typically works with only moderate guidance on projects with a short-term focus
				Continues on the steep part of the learning curve within one’s discipline
Career Engineer		Demonstrates full mastery and competency in own work area
				In performing all aspects/components of job expertly, is a fully independent contributor
				The level at which a fully qualified technical/professional might stabilize for many years, or even until retirement
Consulting Engineer		Viewed as an expert in a given field for a business unit or department
				Shares own expertise for the good of the organization
				Develops, mentors, and coaches others
				Progression to this level is limited based on business need
Principal Engineer		Provides strategic leadership or vision to the organization
				Is recognized across the organization for expertise
				Typically provides cross-disciplinary expertise
				Progression to this level is limited based on business need (e.g., revenue contribution, cost control, need for specialized expertise)
Behavioral Dimensions
Dimension			Intent				Key Job Requirements
Technical Expertise			Breadth and depth of knowledge in discipline					Breadth and depth of skills
								Experience in the discipline
								Critical skills
								Qualifications relevant to the discipline
Project Management			Effective and timely resource deployment and decision-making					Scope/impact of the project
								Ability to work with/through others
								Ability to work within project time frames
								Resources allocation
								Organization/prioritization
Problem Solving			Development of effective and well-prioritized solutions using appropriate tools and technologies					Complexity of work, including: ambiguity of environment, number of possible solutions and complexity of possible solutions
								Types of decisions
								Business judgment, “economic sense”
								Skills across discipline
								Sense of when to seek help
Innovation/Creativity			Recognition of opportunity for improvement; effective selection and application of ideas/solutions that challenge the status quo					Degree of strategic thinking
								Thinking “outside the box”
								Originality
								Capacity to anticipate change
								Initiative
								Flexibility, adaptability
Autonomy			Scope and impact of assignments and degree of judgment applied					Judgment
								Self-sufficiency
								Resourcefulness
								Self-motivation
								Taking on responsibility
								Capacity to affect outcomes
								Balancing of risks
Technical Expertise
Breadth and depth of knowledge in discipline
Associate Engineer				Builds experience through on-the-job training
				Works on routine tasks which provide experience and familiarization with the staff, methods, practices and programs
Engineer				Performs engineering/scientific work requiring application of standard techniques, procedures and criteria while continuing technical development
				Applies proven methods in helping to complete more complex assignments
				Builds depth of critical skill set within a specific discipline
Career Engineer				Applies the analytical approach to the solution of a wide variety of problems
				Assimilates the details and significance of various engineering/scientific analyses
				Meets full professional development requirements for the job
				May begin to build breadth of experience across disciplines
				Performs assignments with numerous interactions, resulting in sound solutions for complex issues
Consulting Engineer				Performs work characterized by a high level of uncertainty with results having significant impact on the department or organization
				Applies broad knowledge across disciplines and coordinate cross-discipline efforts
				Carries out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques or procedures
				Commits to professional development by strengthening qualifications within area of expertise (e.g., involvement in associations, completion of certifications or specialized courses)
Principal Engineer				Selects problems for research to further the organization’s objective or major projects
				Advises company officials on complex aspects of extremely broad and important projects or issues of high strategic values
Project Management
Associate Engineer				Understands key concepts in own area
				Conducts defined work assignments
				Handles short-term tasks
				Performs assigned tasks in order to meet project objectives
Engineer				Conducts projects with well-defined scope in own discipline
				Handles projects that have a short-term focus
				Assumes responsibility for substantial assignments within larger projects
				Collaborates with others in managing and completing project assignments
				Builds ability to coach and guide junior staff on project activities
Career Engineer				Conducts projects with broad scope
				Is a seasoned professional capable of handling projects that have a short- to mid-term focus
				Uses organization and resource management skills to plan, conduct and supervise assignments
				Applies organization skills in ensuring staff and other resources work in concert to meet project objectives
				Delegates portions of project work to others; oversees assignments
Consulting Engineer				Conducts complex projects requiring additional specialized knowledge
				Handles projects that have a mid- to long-term focus
				Plans and conducts assignments that are broad in scope and have significant impact to the organization
Principal Engineer				Conducts complex projects involving multiple disciplines or business units
				Handles projects that have a long-term focus
				Plans and directs projects and supplies technical inspiration, leadership and consultation to professional coworkers
Problem Solving
Development of effective and well-prioritized solutions using appropriate tools and technology
Associate Engineer				Uses readily available information; frequently elevates issues to supervisor
				Makes sound decisions on routine matters by applying explicit rules
				Often plays a supportive role in problem solving
Engineer				Solves problems in straight-forward situations
				Recognizes when a decision is required or a problem exists and follows established decision authority or standard problem solving procedures
				Works with others within and outside own discipline to efficiently evaluate decision and/or solutions
Career Engineer				Solves moderately complex problems
				Pinpoints strengths and weaknesses of various alternatives and selects or recommends appropriate decisions and/or solutions
				Adjusts decisions and/or solutions to changing circumstances or new information
				Outcomes of decisions have high impact
Consulting Engineer				Makes well-thought-out decisions on complex or ambiguous issues
				Considers system impact and mid- to long-term business or economic effects of decisions and/or solutions
				Evaluates processes to improve future decisions
				Consulted by peers and others on complex issues and problems
Principal Engineer				Sought as a resource for resolution of unique or complex business problems
				Accurately defines cross-functional issues
				Employs a full range of organizational resources to gather information, involve others and acquire timely approvals
Innovation/Creativity
Recognition of opportunity for improvement; effective selection and application of ideas/solutions that challenge the status quo
Associate Engineer				Uses alternative methods or resources for getting routine work done when temporary obstacles arise
				Is receptive to new ideas
				Approaches problems with curiosity and an open mind
Engineer				Makes worthwhile, incremental improvements to existing programs, products and procedures
				Makes innovative yet practical suggestions for improving work processes in own area
				Brainstorms or experiments with ideas
Career Engineer				Anticipates change and directs or redirects efforts
				Looks for and finds ways to improve operations
				Challenges conventional wisdom by suggesting viable alternatives
Consulting Engineer				Develops creative yet workable solutions to difficult, complex problems
				Stimulates creative ideas from others
Principal Engineer				Enhances the business by introducing, developing or offering breakthrough products, services or technological advancements
				Champions innovative opportunities that expand the organization’s current business
Autonomy/Exercise of Judgment
Scope and impact of assignments and degree of judgment applied
Associate Engineer				Uses established procedures to perform assigned tasks
				Exercises limited judgment on details of work when less common methods or procedures are necessary
				Investigates and uses available resources to efficiently complete assignments
Engineer				Uses judgment in making adaptation of standard methods and techniques
				Performs work that is varied and somewhat complex, but typically involves limited discretion
				Ensures that assignments are completed accurately and on time
Career Engineer				Independently performs most assignments with instructions only as to the general results expected
				Receives technical guidance on unusual or complex problems and supervisory approval on proposed plans for projects
				Has appreciable latitude for unreviewed actions or decisions
Consulting Engineer				Applies breadth of knowledge and work experience to influence project initiatives
				Guidance received relates largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts and policy matters
				Applies judgment and experience in assessing risk and reward scenarios for project assignments
Principal Engineer				Demonstrates a high degree of foresight and mature judgment in planning, organizing and guiding extensive engineering/scientific projects
				Works with wide latitude for unreviewed action or decision
				Makes decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative and have significant impact on extensive engineering/scientific activities of the organization