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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior CI Engineer Transportation
$90K - $105K *
Unlock potential by driving continuous improvement initiatives across operations. Leverage data analytics and engineering methodologies to enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost, while collaborat...
4 days ago
Project Engineer (junior career)
$70K - $130K *
Join our dynamic team as we drive AI adoption forward! You'll coordinate training engagements, manage events, and enhance team communications, all while supporting our mission to innovate and improve...
2 days ago
Lead Electrical Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$118K - $180K *
Lead a team in tackling complex electrical engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery through effective coordination, technical oversight, and client engagement. Drive innovation and mentor te...
1 week ago
$157K - $174K *
Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...
5 days ago
Field Technical Service Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in solving customer polymer processing challenges by leveraging a decade of expertise in polymer materials and scientific molding. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive product devel...
4 weeks ago
$180K - $200K *
Elevate the engineering department by driving delivery, managing teams, and ensuring production quality. Lead hands-on development while fostering innovation in AI-driven systems to enhance operationa...
1 week ago
RF Automated Test Equipment Engineer
$120K - $160K *
Elevate your career by designing and implementing software-based automated test systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance RF testing solutions, utilizing cutting-edge technologies an...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $225K *
Create innovative data solutions by designing scalable pipelines and AI tools. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data quality and security, driving impactful analytics and machine lea...
Today
$190K - $220K *
Partner with us to tackle complex engineering challenges, leveraging deep expertise in TypeScript, Postgres, and AWS. Collaborate closely with our VP of Engineering to innovate and deliver impactful p...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Parts and Reliability Engineer
$120K - $200K *
Champion parts engineering and reliability assurance for space missions. Lead selection, qualification, and reliability analysis of components, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure miss...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Technical Program Manager, Industrial Controls, R&D
$144K - $211K *
Lead the charge in managing complex Industrial Controls workstreams, ensuring seamless execution of NPI programs. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative automation solutions on time and within...
Yesterday
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - AI & Developer Platform
$115K - $185K *
Lead the charge in transforming developer workflows and API architecture for enterprise AI applications. Collaborate with engineering teams to eliminate friction and enhance the developer experience a...
Yesterday
$87K - $135K *
Drive your career forward by leading systems engineering for a cloud-based enterprise system. Engage in architecture development, integration, and modernization efforts while ensuring security and ope...
6 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Play a key role in designing and optimizing enterprise-scale cloud environments and CI/CD pipelines, collaborating cross-functionally to enhance operations, automate processes, and support mission-cri...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's redefining B2B product design by optimizing user experiences across diverse workflows, integrating AI-powered features, and creating impactful solutions for multiple user types. You...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $115K *
Optimize project delivery by supporting automation and control systems from execution to closeout. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, budget, and schedule adherence while devel...
Today
$75K - $110K *
Engage in the successful delivery of automation projects, supporting execution through commissioning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality, budget, and schedule adherence while de...
Today
$180K - $200K *
Shape the future of technology as a senior technical leader, driving complex initiatives and mentoring engineers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, secure cloud-native solut...
1 week ago
$115K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to design rugged hardware for advanced robotics, collaborating with engineers to create production-ready CAD models and optimize mechanical packaging for high-density systems in ch...
5 days ago
$89K - $148K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your electrical engineering expertise to support military vessel operations. Collaborate with teams to ensure safe, reliable electrical systems while managing design and...
6 days ago
$120K - $165K *
Unlock potential by leading hydro turbine design and engineering projects, optimizing asset performance, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enh...
2 weeks ago
$101K - $188K *
Drive the innovation of semi- and fully autonomous systems. Engage in research, algorithm development, and optimization to enhance AI and machine learning applications for diverse mission challenges...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape and support enterprise networking solutions by delivering pre-sales technical leadership and post-sales support. Leverage deep expertise in Wi-Fi, LAN, cloud, and Zero Trust security to ensure o...
4 weeks ago
$150K - $157K *
Drive quality assurance initiatives by applying biomedical engineering principles to enhance product development and compliance, ensuring effective oversight of medical devices and supplier quality th...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Innovate core infrastructure and systems for agent-native applications, ensuring high availability and performance while enabling a culture of developer efficiency and confidence in delivery...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
What does an R&D engineer do?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.