Explore R&D Engineer Jobs

R&D engineers turn ideas and scientific insights into practical products, technologies, and processes. They plan and conduct experiments, build prototypes, analyze results, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to move concepts from early research toward real-world use. Browse vetted R&D Engineer opportunities on Ladders, including roles paying $100,000 or more.

What R&D Engineers Do

Responsibilities vary by industry and employer, but often include designing experiments, evaluating materials or systems, developing prototypes, documenting findings, and improving product performance. R&D engineers may also assess safety, quality, cost, reliability, and manufacturability while coordinating with product, manufacturing, software, and regulatory teams.

Industries and Specializations

R&D engineering opportunities span technology, aerospace, automotive, energy, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, advanced materials, and manufacturing. Specializations may include mechanical, electrical, chemical, biomedical, software, and materials engineering. The work can range from fundamental research to applied development and product optimization.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek a relevant engineering degree and experience with technical research, experimentation, data analysis, and problem-solving. Depending on the position, valuable skills may include CAD or simulation tools, programming, laboratory methods, design controls, technical writing, and knowledge of industry standards. Strong communication and collaboration skills help engineers explain findings and align research with business and customer needs.

Find R&D Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Use Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Review each listing for its responsibilities, required qualifications, location, and compensation details to find R&D engineering roles that fit your experience and career goals.

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$117K - $195K *

Join a team that's developing cutting-edge avionics architectures for diverse missions. Leverage your expertise in command and data handling to optimize system performance and ensure seamless integrat...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of software systems for autonomous aviation, managing architecture, integration, and performance across airborne, ground, and cloud environments to enhance operation and reliabili...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$99K - $158K *

Join a team that's leading innovation in print and packaging processes. Drive complex projects, enhance workflows, and ensure top-tier color management across multiple business units while collaborati...

Chicago, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$110K - $130K *

Innovate in custom laser design and integration, driving product development from concept to production. Collaborate across teams to enhance VCSEL technology, ensuring quality and manufacturability in...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $222K *

Lead and mentor a team in tackling complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction while coordinating multi-discipline efforts in the nuclear power sector...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your engineering career by leading innovative conveyor and sortation projects. Drive technical solutions from concept to execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operati...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$185K - $225K *

Launch innovative full-stack solutions, owning features from backend to UI. Collaborate with a remote team to enhance agent workflows and ensure secure, reliable experiences in a regulated financial e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of high-security software solutions for government clients, ensuring seamless deployment and compliance by integrating innovative technologies in air-gapped environments while col...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of power connector innovation, leading product development initiatives while driving cross-functional collaboration and mentoring engineering talent to deliver hig...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $170K *

Manage technical design leadership for industrial projects, coordinating PLC/DCS, HMI, and motion control systems. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality project outcomes while supporting clie...

Cincinnati, OHRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$180K - $195K *

Unlock your potential as you collaborate to develop enterprise Android applications, enhancing user experience through innovative design, coding, and testing. Join a dynamic team focused on delivering...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on enhancing life science R&D efficiency. As a Functional Business Analyst, you'll drive process improvements and support change management initiatives acr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $165K *

Unlock compliance excellence by leading product safety initiatives across engineering and manufacturing. Ensure adherence to critical standards for data center and IT equipment, driving quality and pe...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $150K *

Transform scientific research with innovative AI methods. Collaborate across teams to design, test, and implement state-of-the-art models that advance academic discovery and impact the future of scien...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$225K - $265K *

Partner with us to lead a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation and efficiency in our travel marketplace. You'll manage project lifecycles, enhance collaboration, and champion a custome...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$103K - $181K *

Empower a dynamic Agile team in developing critical mission applications, utilizing your expertise in enterprise software development and fostering effective collaboration to enhance solutions for com...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$100K - $115K *

Advance the development of EV charging infrastructure by supporting project management activities, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring project controls are effectively maintained a...

Los Angeles, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in transforming innovative ideas into impactful AI-driven solutions for public health and medical research. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop MVPs that enhance scientific disco...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$128K - $188K *

Drive your career with impactful technical sales in the medical device sector. Lead customer engagements, identify new business opportunities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance pr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $153K *

Lead the enhancement and administration of enterprise endpoint security technologies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize security processes and improve detection capabilities in a g...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $110K *

Optimize real-time automation solutions across manufacturing and enterprise levels. Collaborate with engineering teams to design, implement, and enhance systems using diverse programming and design to...

Richmond, VARemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Transform your career by engineering innovative automation solutions across industries. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance operational efficiency and drive real-time information systems from t...

Raleigh, NCRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$92K - $110K *

Elevate your career by engineering real-time automation solutions across industries. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, implement, and optimize systems that enhance operational efficiency and...

Philadelphia, PARemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Partner with us to enhance project operations and drive continuous improvement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and ensure timely delivery of integrated customer soluti...

Houston, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does an R&D engineer do?question toggle

    An R&D engineer researches, designs, tests, and improves products, technologies, or processes. The role may involve experiments, prototyping, data analysis, technical documentation, and collaboration with product and manufacturing teams.

  • What qualifications are typically required for R&D engineer jobs?question toggle

    Many roles require a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or a related field. Employers may also look for relevant research or product-development experience, technical problem-solving ability, and familiarity with tools or standards specific to the industry.

  • Which industries hire R&D engineers?question toggle

    R&D engineers work in industries such as technology, aerospace, automotive, energy, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, materials, and manufacturing.

  • How can I find R&D engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse R&D Engineer listings on Ladders, where professional jobs are vetted and pay $100,000 or more. Check each listing for compensation, location, responsibilities, and qualifications.

  • What skills are useful for an R&D engineer?question toggle

    Useful skills include experimental design, data analysis, prototyping, technical writing, and engineering problem-solving. Depending on the role, employers may also value CAD, simulation, programming, laboratory methods, or regulatory knowledge.