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.
$70K - $117K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in structural engineering to ensure the integrity and safety of marine vessels. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support critical naval operations and e...
1 week ago
Chief Product Engineer - Audio Technology
$205K - $282K *
Join us in shaping the future of audio technology as a Chief Product Engineer, overseeing product engineering strategies, licensing, and R&D integration for consumer audio innovations. Drive technical...
1 month ago
Senior Software Engineering - Autonomy Build & Integration
$115K - $164K *
Elevate your software engineering career as you lead projects, enhance CI/CD workflows, and mentor team members, ensuring high quality and reliability in our autonomous driving technology initiatives...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to transform enterprise OS infrastructure through modern practices, leveraging your Python expertise and operational skills to drive modernization, package migrations, and effective CI/CD impl...
3 weeks ago
Power Engineer, Physical Electrical
$140K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to execute complex physical electrical designs for medium- and high-voltage substations and utility-scale projects, ensuring quality and compliance from concept through constructio...
3 weeks ago
$229K - $258K *
Empower a dynamic engineering team to deliver innovative security tools. Own product development from roadmap to rollout, fostering collaboration and driving results in a fast-paced environment focuse...
2 weeks ago
Senior AI Engineer with RAG and Agentic architectures
$150K - $180K *
Champion the development of LLM-powered applications and agentic systems. Drive complex use cases from ambiguous problems to production, ensuring high-quality and scalable AI solutions that address us...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Transformation Engineering
$131K - $196K *
Unlock potential by developing AI-driven applications and data pipelines. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency through innovative technical solutions, ensuring quality and scalabil...
Today
Technical Program Manager-Flight Software
$151K - $251K *
Drive the planning and execution of Flight Software development programs, ensuring seamless coordination between engineering and program management for timely delivery of spacecraft software systems...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Develop and enhance software solutions, collaborating with senior developers to ensure alignment with industry standards and methodologies. Engage in all phases of the development process while workin...
4 days ago
Principal Structural Engineer – Data Center Infrastructure (FE)
$132K - $238K *
Champion innovative structural engineering solutions that ensure the integrity of data center products and manufacturing facilities. Collaborate across disciplines to create scalable designs from conc...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Desktop Application
$180K - $195K *
Drive the development of the Hypori app for Windows while enhancing iOS and Android functionalities. Collaborate in an agile environment, focusing on secure software practices, troubleshooting, and de...
1 week ago
$160K - $200K *
Drive innovation by designing and developing scalable backend services, collaborating closely with engineering teams to enhance platform performance and reliability while mentoring junior developers a...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform the future of AI systems by building robust data pipelines and APIs. Collaborate with Product to refine specifications and enhance user experience, ensuring high-quality delivery and continu...
2 weeks ago
Sr Staff Outbound Product Manager - AI Assistant
$190K - $334K *
Lead the charge in shaping the future of AI solutions by driving market success for our Assistant portfolio. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user adoption and ensure seamless integr...
2 days ago
Software Engineer, Home Design Experience
$130K - $160K *
Shape the future of home design by leading technical architecture and delivery for a groundbreaking 3D application, collaborating closely with product teams to transform ideas into seamless experience...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Site Design
$110K - $130K *
Lead large-scale engineering projects by overseeing design tasks, ensuring compliance, and mentoring team members. Collaborate with project managers to deliver high-quality solutions that meet client...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager - Engineering Design
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing complex multi-disciplinary projects across diverse sectors, ensuring alignment with client goals and project scope from initiation to closeout. Foster collaboration and ove...
3 weeks ago
Manager, Software Engineering - Engineering Tools
$120K - $148K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of AEC software by leading engineering talent and enhancing workflows. Drive innovation in Autodesk Revit add-ins and tools while fostering a collaborative enviro...
1 week ago
Program Chief Engineer, RSX (Remote considered)
$190K - $275K *
Champion innovation in aerospace as a technical authority, leading system architecture and integration for advanced interceptor products while ensuring mission success and technical integrity across m...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive field engineering excellence by installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting cutting-edge hardware systems. Collaborate with teams to enhance product design and ensure reliable operations in dyn...
2 weeks ago
$132K - $251K *
Deliver high-quality SAP ABAP solutions by developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting programs for aftermarket and depot operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performa...
Yesterday
Software Engineer - ML Ops (R37)
$140K - $270K *
Unlock your potential by managing ML systems at scale, ensuring uptime and observability. Collaborate on deploying and scaling models, while enhancing platform reliability through advanced engineering...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic team to lead complex civil engineering projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary experts to design and implement innovative transportation solutions that en...
2 weeks ago
Senior Connector Development Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of interconnect technology by leading the design and development of innovative connector solutions, ensuring top performance and reliability for clients worldwide...
Reposted 6 days 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.