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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$190K - $240K *

Champion the design and engineering of a cutting-edge perfusion system, leading a team to innovate and scale operations while ensuring quality and reliability in medical device manufacturing...

New Haven, CTRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$111K - $150K *

Drive innovation in renewable energy by conducting power system studies, utilizing advanced software tools, and collaborating with diverse teams to enhance efficiency and support sustainable solutions...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $150K *

Innovate within the healthcare engineering sector by providing expert electrical engineering support, ensuring compliance and enhancing the safety and efficiency of VA facilities across multiple proje...

Vienna, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$92K - $166K *

Pioneer your career in transmission engineering, leading major EPC projects while driving innovation and technology development. Shape processes and tools that enhance project delivery and client sati...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$84K - $129K *

Empower your career by joining a dynamic team in structural engineering, tackling innovative projects in nuclear facilities. Collaborate, guide, and utilize advanced tools to design and analyze struct...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$120K - $145K *

Explore the potential of AI in full-stack development while designing and delivering enterprise applications. Collaborate across teams and mentor engineers, ensuring your expertise shapes cutting-edge...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$171K - $300K *

Champion the evolution of a high-volume data platform, collaborating with engineering and product teams to enhance reliability and efficiency while mentoring senior engineers and driving innovative AI...

San Diego, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $190K *

Innovate software solutions in dynamic environments, collaborating with operators and engineers to rapidly prototype and deploy mission-critical capabilities. Leverage your technical expertise to inte...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $200K *

The Optomechanical Engineer at Scout Space will lead the design and development of hardware systems for on-orbit perception and autonomy capabilities. This role involves creating detailed mechanical d...

Reston, VARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $150K *

Transform project execution by leading multimillion-dollar automated storage solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, budget adherence, and customer satisfaction a...

Romeoville, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join our team to design and build robust infrastructure that meets evolving regulations. Innovate by mastering new technologies and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer experien...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$157K - $184K *

Engineer and elevate our core product by developing innovative features, tools, and infrastructure while collaborating closely with a dedicated team to maintain high-quality standards and drive techni...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $260K *

Shape the future of software development by leading impactful engineering initiatives, mentoring talent, and driving innovation across diverse systems to enhance capabilities and organizational growth...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's committed to designing and developing innovative full stack applications, collaborating across functions to deliver effective technical solutions and enhance business processes in a...

Sterling, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$93K - $140K *

Deliver impactful SampleManager LIMS solutions by configuring, implementing, and integrating in diverse laboratory settings. Leverage technical expertise to enhance workflows and drive successful proj...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $145K *

Elevate your career by overseeing technical operations and project management for battery energy storage systems. Drive cross-functional initiatives, mentor teams, and lead strategic improvements to o...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$180K - $229K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of insurance technology by leading engineering efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance product effectiven...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Empower a transformative team as you enhance employer benefits through elegant full stack engineering, delivering scalable, secure systems for seamless financial interactions across diverse platforms...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$106K - $198K *

Create innovative data solutions by delivering full-stack capabilities across the data lifecycle. Collaborate with teams to design, implement, and optimize data processing pipelines that ensure accura...

Stratford, CTRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $125K *

Lead and coordinate engineering projects, ensuring technical quality and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions while managing resources, schedules, and bu...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$126K - $224K *

Innovate software solutions for oncology applications, enhancing data access and operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and maintain applications that stream...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $250K *

Develop cutting-edge ML workflows and infrastructure, influence company direction, and tackle complex engineering challenges in a fast-paced environment, boosting productivity and innovation across te...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in developing robust ML infrastructure and scalable applications, driving solutions for large-scale challenges while ensuring high-quality software design and functionality in a fast-p...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $135K *

Transform the future of financial products by building end-to-end experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions that enhance user interactions and drive business...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$109K - $164K *

Drive advanced digital forensics and incident response initiatives while mentoring a skilled engineering team. Leverage deep technical knowledge to enhance operational capabilities and ensure exceptio...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.