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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$150K - $250K *

Shape the future of autonomous vehicles by tackling complex AI challenges. Collaborate with engineers to enhance deep learning models and apply your expertise in unsupervised learning to scale innovat...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $250K *

Join a talented team to tackle complex AI challenges by enhancing our proprietary algorithmic toolkit and collaborating on deep learning experiments that push the boundaries of research and developmen...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of industrial control systems by leading the development and implementation of sophisticated electrical and control solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project...

Fort Worth, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in optimizing supplier performance and innovation. Drive a team to enhance supplier capabilities, ensuring high-quality product delivery while fostering strategic relationships and con...

South Bend, INRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$97K - $122K *

Advance your career by leading supplier development initiatives that enhance performance and innovation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products while driving continuo...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative software solutions by designing, developing, and testing systems-level software. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet operational specifications and enhance SAP functionali...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$175K - $210K *

Join a team that's innovating the future of energy by integrating large-load facilities into the electric grid, solving complex challenges, and ensuring reliable power supply for high-performance comp...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $85K *

Drive your engineering career while learning the intricate design processes of commercial buildings. Collaborate with senior staff, engage in diverse projects, and explore specialization paths as part...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$126K - $167K *

Transform your future by leading a dynamic team of electrical engineers in our Mission Critical Department. Elevate project outcomes while driving accountability, fostering growth, and cultivating inn...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of passenger rail by leading mechanical systems integration and validation. Collaborate with suppliers and clients to ensure compliance and deliver manufacturable designs for refurbis...

Montreal, QCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$180K - $235K *

Lead advanced R&D initiatives for Solid Rocket Motor technologies, driving feasibility studies, design, and testing. Provide technical leadership across programs and serve as the primary interface for...

Huntsville, ALRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$104K - $134K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative mechanical designs for mission-critical facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, execute complex projects, and enhance mechanical design expertise i...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$93K - $125K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$93K - $137K *

Innovate across capital projects and chemical operations, delivering practical mechanical engineering solutions while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective project execution a...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $120K *

Transform the future of automation by leading innovative robotic solutions. Drive design, compliance, and manufacturing processes while mentoring a high-performing team in a dynamic, growth-stage envi...

CanadaRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $350K *

Drive the development of cutting-edge AI infrastructure to enhance large-scale reinforcement learning and distributed training systems, optimizing performance and efficiency across various layers and...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Grow expertise in advanced BAS applications while mentoring peers, troubleshooting complex systems, and supporting projects throughout their lifecycle to drive success and foster innovation in buildin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$137K - $171K *

Engineer cutting-edge mechanical cooling and hydraulic systems for modular AI data centers. Drive design, integration, and commissioning of innovative solutions, ensuring efficiency and reliability ac...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$117K - $235K *

Innovate in remote sensing research by leading complex projects, implementing cutting-edge solutions, and driving technical excellence in space-based applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary t...

Albuquerque, NMRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Drive your career with impactful identity and access management solutions. Collaborate with teams and clients to enhance security and efficiency through innovative technology implementations and opera...

Tampa, FLRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead network engineering efforts to enhance tactical capabilities in air defense systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure secure information exchange and compliance across all phase...

Huntsville, ALRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Unlock potential by leading technical direction in autonomy systems. Drive ownership of advanced perception, prediction, and planning components with cross-stack influence, facilitating innovation and...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$137K - $231K *

Empower your career by shaping design systems that enhance user experience. Collaborate with teams to build high-quality, interactive UI across platforms, ensuring accessibility and performance while...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$151K - $195K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of design engineering by developing innovative systems that enhance user experience across web and mobile platforms. Your expertise will drive quality and perform...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $156K *

Pioneer innovative maintenance processes and CMMS capabilities, driving global engineering operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance asset management, reliability, and sustainability while...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.