ASME GUIDELINES for ENGINEERING GRADES (July 26,2007)

Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade V Grade VI Grade VII Grade VIII
General Acquires Acquires Develops broad Applies broad Independently Applies a Uses creativity, Makes decisions with broad influence on the
Characteristics limited basic knowledge and skills knowledge of applies extensive thorough foresight, and activities of their organizations.
knowledge and knowledge in a specific practice principles and and diversified knowledge of mature judgment in Makes authoritative decisions and
develops basic and develops area. practices in a knowledge of current principles anticipating and recommendations that are conclusive, and
skills. skills in a Evaluates, selects, specific practice principles and and practices of solving have a far-reaching impact on the organization.
Applies specific and applies standard area. practices in broad engineering as unprecedented Demonstrates a high degree of creativity,
prescribed practice area. techniques, Independently areas of related to the problems. foresight, and mature judgment in planning,
techniques and Applies procedures, and evaluates, selects, assignments and variety of Makes decisions organizing and guiding extensive programs
procedures in standard criteria to perform a and adapts related fields. aspects affecting and and activities of major consequence.
accordance techniques, task or sequence of standard Uses advanced their recommendations
with procedures, tasks for techniques, techniques in the organization. that are
established and criteria to conventional procedures, and modification or Applies authoritative and
criteria to perform projects with few criteria. extension of knowledge and have an important
perform assigned complex features. Acquires general theories and expertise impact on extensive
assigned tasks. tasks as part Collaboratively uses knowledge of practices of acquired through organizational
Performs of a broader judgment to principles and sciences and progressive activities.
routine assignment. determine practices of related disciplines to experience to Sets priorities and
technical work Exercises adaptations in fields, and ability to complete resolve crucial reconciles
which does not limited methods for non- function on multi- assignments. issues and/or directions from
require judgment on routine aspects of disciplinary teams. Works on a major unique competing interests
previous details of assignments. Works on multiple project or several conditions. Works on programs
experience. work and in Works on small projects of projects of Keeps informed with complex
Acquires an application of projects or portions moderate size or moderate scope of new methods features.
understanding standard of larger projects. portions of major with complex and
of professional methods for projects. features. developments
and ethical conventional affecting their
responsibilities work. organization, and
recommends
new practices or
changes in
emphasis of
programs.
Works on
programs of
limited
complexity and
scope.
 ASME GUIDELINES for ENGINEERING GRADES (July 26,2007)
Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade V Grade VI Grade VII Grade VIII
Technical Collects data Performs Performs moderate Designs a complete Reviews complete Serves as the Develops standards Performs advisory or consulting work for the
Responsibilities and gathers basic design design tasks. project, system, project documents technical and guidelines. organization for broad program areas or an
information or tasks. Prepares portions of component, or for conformity and specialist for the Leads the intensely specialized area with innovative or
documents. Assists on project documents. process. quality assurance. organization in organization in a important aspects.
Performs other tasks Edits specifications. Prepares complete Develops new the application of broad area of
standard such as: Performs research project documents. techniques and/or advanced specialization or in
computations preparation of and investigations. Designs and improved concepts, narrow but intensely
or analysis. analysis conducts processes, principles, and specialized field.
Prepares CAD documents experiments, and materials, or methods in an
drawings and and reports , analyzes and products. assigned area.
models material interprets data. Assists upper level Keeps informed
Contributes to testing, and Formulates and management and of new
reports and CAD work. solves problems. staff as a technical developments
other analysis specialist or and
documents, as advisor. requirements
well as other affecting the
basic organization for
engineering the purpose of
work recommending
. changes in
programs or
applications.
Interprets,
organizes,
executes and
coordinates
assignments.

Managerial No managerial Assigns tasks Assigns tasks to and Assigns tasks to Supervises all staff Supervises a Supervises several Leads an entire program of critical importance.
Responsibilities responsibilities to and coordinates work and directs necessary to staff of engineers organizational Decides the kind and extent of engineering and
at this level. coordinates with entry-level engineers, complete and technicians. segments or teams. related programs needed for accomplishing the
with engineers, technicians and assignments. Plans, Recommends objectives of an organization.
technicians or technicians, or administrative staff. Reviews and schedules, or facilities, personnel,
administrative administrative staff. Plans and approves scopes, coordinates the and funds required
staff. Assists in coordinates detailed budgets, and preparation of to carry out
determining aspects of the schedules for documents or programs
schedule and budget engineering work. assignments. activities for Oversees the
requirements. Prepares scopes, Prepares multiple major technical, legal, and
budgets, and proposals to projects, or is financial issues of
schedules for provide responsible for an entire program.
assignments. professional an entire Determines
Assists with services or obtain program of an program objectives
proposals to provide funding for organization. and requirements.
professional engineering Reviews Develops standards
services or obtain projects or operational and guidelines.
funding for programs. procedures to
engineering projects insure
or programs. compliance with
applicable
policies and
performance
measures.
 ASME GUIDELINES for ENGINEERING GRADES (July 26,2007)
Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade V Grade VI Grade VII Grade VIII
Direction Receives close Receives Receives instruction Receives general Receives Receives Receives Receives general administrative direction from
Received supervision on close on specific direction on key supervision and administrative administrative a board of directors or regional council.
all aspects of supervision objectives. objectives. guidance relating supervision with supervision with
assignments. on unusual or Receives direction Receives guidance to overall assignments assignments given
difficult on unconventional when necessary on objectives, critical given in terms of in terms of broad
problems, and/or complex unconventional or issues, new broad general general objectives
and general problems, and complex problems, concepts, and objectives and and limits.
review of all possible solutions. direction on policy matters. limits.
aspects of Receives a thorough modified Receives direction
work. review of completed techniques, and on unusual
work for application new approaches on conditions and
of sound assignments with developments.
professional conflicting criteria.
judgment.
Communication Possesses Interacts with Possesses effective Interacts with Possesses Routinely Possesses Negotiates critical and controversial issues with
Skills basic oral and staff, general oral and written clients, customers, advanced oral and interacts with exceptional oral and top-level engineers and officers of other
written public, communication officials, u and written clients, written organizations and companies.
communication officials, skills. others. communication customers, communication Conducts presentations and may participate in
skills. stakeholders Assists with client, Attends project skills. officials,, and skills. media interviews.
Interacts with and peer customer, or official meetings and Represents the others. Routinely interacts Represents their organization at important
other staff. level clients. contacts and presents specific organization in Leads project with organization functions or conferences, including media
communication aspects of communications meetings and leaders, clients, interviews as required.
pertaining to specific engineering and conferences makes customers, officials,
assignments or assignment. pertaining to broad presentations. and others.
meetings. aspects of Represents the Initiates and
engineering organization and maintains extensive
assignments. maintains liaison contacts with key
with individuals engineers and
and related officials or other
organizations. organizations and
companies and is
skilled in
persuasion and
negotiation of
critical issues.
Typical Titles Engineer in Training, Engineering Intern, Assistant Engineer, Junior Mechanical Engineer, Senior Engineer, Project Principal Engineer, Director, Program Dean, President, Senior or, Executive or Vice
Engineer, Staff Engineer, Engineering Instructor Associate Engineer, Manager, Associate Engineering Manager, Manager, Division President of Engineering
Project Engineer, Nuclear Professor Professor Engineer,
Engineer, Plant Engineer, Department Head, Senior
etc. Specialty field + Manager of Engineering,
Engineer with no Vice President
qualifiers,
Assistant Professor
Experience 0+ years 1+ years 3+ years 4+ years 8+ years 10+ years 15+ years 20+ years

Education Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program. Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program. Master’s degree or Equivalent. Engaged in life-long learning to maintain knowledge
of contemporary issues.
Doctorate for faculty.

Licensure and Engineer in Training, Engineering Intern Professional Engineer Professional Engineer, Specialty Certification
Certification
 ASME GUIDELINES for ENGINEERING GRADES (July 26,2007)
Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade V Grade VI Grade VII Grade VIII
Professional Member of professional practice Member of professional practice Member of professional Member of professional practice organization, Member of professional Member of professional practice organization.
Activities organization. organization, member of local practice organization, national Board member or officer, national practice organization, Recognized expert on national activity or
program or committee. chair of local program or technical or policy committee member. national Board member or spokesperson for the profession.
committee. officer. Recognized
expert on statewide
activity. Resource for
national activities and
organization.

Community Involved in outreach activities with community service organizations. Organizes and leads community service programs. Serves on local planning or policy Serves on state or national boards.
Activities boards.

Equivalent GS-5 GS-7 GS-9 GS-11 GS-12 GS-13 GS-14 GS-15, Senior Executive Service (SES)
Federal General
Schedule