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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$206K - $242K *

Transform external attack capabilities by developing scalable workflows and automating reconnaissance processes. Drive innovation in offensive security, mentor teammates, and contribute to a high-impa...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $243K *

Join a team that's driving sustainment transformation and adoption across programs. As a Project Engineer Staff, you'll lead initiatives, coordinate projects, and enhance processes to ensure successfu...

Florida, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $150K *

Drive product vision and growth at the intersection of AI and science. Leverage strategic and technical expertise to define, prioritize, and enhance cutting-edge product capabilities while collaborati...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape your career by developing innovative automation solutions for complex material handling challenges. Collaborate with a diverse team to design, engineer, and implement high-performing systems tha...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $200K *

Unlock potential by joining our engineering team to build high-performance, user-facing trading products. Shape the future of real-time web applications while collaborating across the stack to deliver...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $170K *

Lead the charge in developing and maintaining electrical engineering standards for correctional facilities. Oversee design reviews, ensure compliance, and provide technical expertise to enhance system...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative virtual calibration environments that enhance simulation-based workflows. Collaborate cross-functionally to improve calibration processes and support the inte...

Milford, MIRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Shape user experiences by designing intuitive UI for Playground and Console. Collaborate with senior designers on impactful feature work, enhancing product impressions while gaining fluency in our des...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $184K *

Design and develop intricate IC substrate layouts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize performance, cost, and manufacturability of high-speed ASIC packages while enhancing layout pro...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $193K *

Join a team that's redefining software engineering excellence by leading high-performing teams in building and modernizing enterprise applications. Drive technical strategy, foster innovation, and ens...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $113K *

Shape the future of renewable energy by leading preliminary substation design for utility-scale solar and BESS projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure technical excellence from con...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $165K *

Champion safety in innovative nuclear fuel recycling by evaluating hazards, developing safety documents, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate in a dynamic team to enhance safety measu...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative civil engineering solutions for diverse land development projects. Collaborate with teams, mentor staff, and ensure high-quality design while promoting efficie...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$63K - $111K *

Unlock potential by joining a collaborative team focused on geotechnical and environmental engineering projects, driving innovative designs, investigations, and solutions to support sustainable constr...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $270K *

Lead the charge in transforming healthcare workflows with AI solutions, optimizing performance, and collaborating across teams to create scalable systems that enhance clinical and revenue outcomes...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $160K *

Transform your career by leading a high-impact Developer Infrastructure team. Drive technical strategy, enhance developer experience, and foster a culture of growth and accountability while collaborat...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Join us to empower enterprise customers with innovative sourcing solutions, manage complex RFPs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive procurement success while leveraging cutting-edge...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$111K - $125K *

Elevate your career by leading impactful engineering projects, ensuring quality and budget adherence while leveraging advanced AI tools. Collaborate with a dynamic team to shape sustainable built envi...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing critical technical programs, enhancing research infrastructure while ensuring impactful collaboration across teams. Empower researchers to translate their wor...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$130K - $155K *

Champion robust Design-for-Test methodologies to enhance ASIC and SoC production quality. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and drive manufacturing test readiness for high-volume...

Irvine, CARemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career with a role focused on firmware validation, engaging in test strategy development, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the quality and performance of firmware thr...

Washington, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining generator research through innovative solutions, managing technical projects, and engaging with industry leaders to enhance generator reliability and performance, shaping...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's transforming healthcare by leading the development of a high-performance Speech Platform. Leverage your audio expertise to mentor engineers, collaborate with scientists, and drive i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in advanced mechanical design for controllable propulsion systems. Manage a talented engineering team, tackle complex design challenges, and ensure alignment of mission goals with engi...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$200K - $300K *

Lead high-speed analog circuit design initiatives, focusing on broadband amplifiers, clock generation, and custom components. Collaborate on next-gen optical transceiver development while ensuring sys...

Irvine, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.