WHAT DOES A LABORATORY ENGINEER DO?
Published: Jan 12, 2026 - The Laboratory Engineer evaluates product interoperability and conformance to industry standards such as Zigbee and Thread through detailed test execution and log analysis. This role involves operating, maintaining, and calibrating complex testing equipment, as well as coordinating with clients and vendors to develop or adjust testing procedures. The engineer also participates in alliance meetings and working groups, guides test events, and serves as an expert on specific testing technologies and standards.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Laboratory Engineer
1. Laboratory Engineer Duties
- Sample Examination: Examine test samples and read measuring instruments, blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, and operational instructions
- Procedure Development: Develop operating, maintenance, and test procedures based on laboratory procedures, standards, and safety policies
- Test Setup: Design, adapt, or direct the building of test setups and equipment to new situations, based on analysis of test specifications and customer requests
- Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance of designated test equipment and laboratory area
- Independent Operation: Operate with minimal supervision within defined limits of responsibility
- Team Communication: Communicate with other engineering staff to receive instructions, convey data, determine equipment availability, and with clients during test setup and performance to demonstrate or otherwise illustrate equipment test methods or discuss test results
- Field Communication: Communicate with UL field representatives to discuss follow-up tests, samples, equipment, methods, or results
- Result Evaluation: Plan tests, evaluate test results, and report opinions and interpretations
2. Laboratory Engineer Details
- Method Validation: Assist PDEs or Engineering staff to modify existing methods or develop and validate new test methods
- Training Development: Develop training seminars and may assist in training other laboratory staff
- Industry Representation: Represent UL at industry-related functions such as seminars and trade shows
- Budget Planning: Assist in developing the annual capital expenditure budget for laboratory equipment and tactical plans for the laboratory
- Lab Support: Assist with laboratory support functions such as calibration, maintenance, validation of test fixtures, shipping/receiving, and purchase requisitions
- Safety Promotion: Promote the safety of staff in all aspects of the job, and assist with safety initiatives as directed
- Process Improvement: Integrate continuous improvement concepts and techniques into all aspects of the job, including 5S organization of the laboratory
- System Tracking: Work with internal Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to track samples, test equipment status and calibration procedures
3. Laboratory Engineer Responsibilities
- Project Planning: Determine project scope and develop a preliminary plan of investigation
- Specification Analysis: Determine project specifications such as cost, time, and sample requirements by analyzing client input, available supplemental data, and product construction, including mechanical drawings and electrical schematics
- Client Promotion: Initiate communication with clients to promote and explain the benefits of new and existing services
- Client Follow-up: Follow up on contacts from clients
- Technical Communication: Communicate with clients to discuss technical issues, explain UL procedures and requirements, convey project cost, and negotiate completion date and sample requirements
- Issue Resolution: Act to address client concerns and to resolve client issues
- Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance to clients in reference to product inspection and follow-up services
- Compliance Review: Examine samples for compliance with UL requirements and notify the client of any areas in which the product is not in compliance or of any changes in project scope or specifications
- Variation Analysis: Resolve engineering issues associated with Variation Notices by analyzing and reporting on the acceptability of the variations
4. Laboratory Engineer Accountabilities
- Standard Evaluation: Evaluates conformance and interoperability of products to industry standards, such as Zigbee, Thread
- Test Execution: Executes test cases and scenarios to verify the product’s functionality
- Meeting Participation: Attend Alliance meetings and working groups
- Equipment Operation: Operates, maintains and calibrates complex test and support equipment appropriately to measure and test customer samples
- Equipment Maintenance: Performs complex maintenance on designated test equipment and laboratory area
- Log Analysis: Performs deep dive analysis into internal logs to understand and identify the root cause of any system issues
- Committee Participation: Active participation in committee work
- Testing Coordination: Coordinate with Vendors or Clients to modify or develop testing for components or End products
- Client Guidance: Coordinate and guide clients on test events, procedures and requirements
- Expert Support: Serves as an expert in specific test standards and testing technology for the scope of responsibility
5. Laboratory Engineer Functions
- Chemical Application: Providing conceptual or practical activities, applying chemistry to industrial processes for the development of new technologies and products
- Design Leadership: Leading analytical and design activities using proven technologies and vested approaches and methods
- Technical Collaboration: Collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide technical guidance for future products
- Solution Development: Developing new solutions under guidance and/or in a team setting or based upon precedents in the organization
- Leadership Interaction: Working together with business leadership at the SPB and EB levels
- Project Communication: Specifies needs, communicates about the project approach and presents the outcomes of the research done
- Experimental Research: Conduct experimental and research activities to add value to specific know-how
- Prototype Oversight: Oversee and make Test products and prototypes, test of pre-production and production products
- Report Writing: Write Test Reports, assisting in the development of Test Methods and DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) studies
- Root Analysis: Analyze the root cause of the problem, and research new technical solutions by experimental process or through an innovative approach
- Failure Analysis: Analyze products and prototypes to determine failure modes