What does a R&D engineer do?
The Research and Development (R&D) Engineer in Wood is an essential figure in innovation within the wood industry, combining scientific creativity and technical expertise to envision tomorrow’s solutions.
missions of Research and Development Engineer in Wood
Their primary mission is to design new materials, products, and technologies based on wood, while striving to improve their performance in terms of durability, mechanical strength, thermal or acoustic insulation, and aesthetic properties. They are at the forefront of research, proposing alternatives to traditional materials while promoting the ecological benefits of wood.
Within a multidisciplinary team, the R&D Engineer in Wood leads complex projects in collaboration with other engineers, technicians, and sometimes designers or academic researchers.
They manage the entire research process, from identifying needs to developing prototypes and analyzing their performance. This approach requires mastery of modeling and simulation tools to optimize the design of new products. The engineer must also ensure that the projects they oversee comply with current regulations, particularly environmental standards and sustainable development criteria.
Technological monitoring plays a central role in their work. The R&D Engineer in Wood must stay informed of the latest scientific advances, technological innovations, and market trends to anticipate the sector’s future developments. They explore innovations in wood treatment, assembly, or resource optimization. Their ability to identify innovation opportunities helps enhance companies’ competitiveness by offering solutions that are increasingly efficient and tailored to current market needs.
In parallel with their technical work, this engineer plays a strategic role. They contribute to defining the company’s innovation and eco-design strategies. Their research is part of an ecological transition approach, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of the developed products. By proposing solutions based on sustainable wood use and integrating technologies that reduce CO₂ emissions or improve energy efficiency, the R&D Engineer contributes to the evolution of industrial practices toward a more environmentally-friendly economy.
What qualities are needed to do this job?
Finally, their skills are not limited to the technical aspect. The R&D Engineer must also be an effective communicator, capable of presenting their results to various audiences, writing technical reports, and, in some cases, participating in the drafting of patents to protect the innovations developed. Their versatility and open-mindedness make them a key player in the sustainable evolution of the wood sector.
With the presence of three laboratories and two research centers on the Wood Campus, ENSTIB is the ideal school for training as a Research and Development Engineer in the wood industry.