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.
Technical Leader - EMF Engineer
$115K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by leading research on electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and RF exposure. Collaborate with utilities and stakeholders to develop solutions and technical guidance for emerging en...
Yesterday
$80K - $90K *
Unlock your potential by designing prompt strategies that enhance data annotation and localization workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive AI-driven solutions, ensuring quality and...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to tackle end-to-end computer vision challenges, ensuring reliable performance in real-world conditions. You'll optimize models and systems for vehicle detection, tracking, and ana...
3 weeks ago
Applied AI Engineer, Enterprise
$150K - $180K *
Transform enterprise AI deployments by designing, building, and enhancing systems that drive significant business results while fostering strong partnerships with customers and engineering teams...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Systems Triage (Metrics & Analysis)
$160K - $193K *
Lead a team to develop metrics and analysis tools that enhance decision-making for autonomous driving software. Engage in hands-on data analysis, manage workflows, and drive insights to improve system...
6 days ago
?Mechanical - Mid & Experienced Designer
$83K - $145K *
Join our team as a Mechanical Designer specializing in HVAC, where you'll lead innovative projects across diverse sectors, collaborate with engineers, and enhance client experiences through expert des...
2 weeks ago
$82K - $172K *
Advance your career as an Embedded Linux Software Developer, contributing to the evolution of mission-critical devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance networking capabilities and d...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advancing AI safety research by defining impactful agendas, mentoring teams, and driving real-world change through innovative projects and collaborations with governments and AI lab...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer (Technical Leadership) - Central Growth
$175K - $210K *
Innovate and lead the technical vision for large-scale product systems, driving cross-functional initiatives and engineering excellence while mentoring teams to enhance growth and impact across multip...
1 week ago
Staff Engineer, Experience Engineering
$214K - $295K *
Pioneer the development of innovative user experiences across platforms, harnessing deep technical expertise and leadership to enhance product design. Collaborate broadly to drive operational excellen...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$138K - $173K *
Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...
1 week ago
Quality Engineering Lead / Automation Architect
$117K - $143K *
Join a team that's redefining quality engineering by leading the transition to automation. Drive strategy, mentor a global QA team, and enhance testing frameworks to ensure high-quality software deliv...
1 week ago
$144K - $195K *
Innovate and lead the design of identity management solutions, ensuring security and integration across platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experience and manage critical issues in a dyn...
1 week ago
Principal Product Manager, AI Software Factory
$150K - $180K *
Transform the software development landscape by defining a cohesive end-to-end experience, integrating planning to verification workflows across teams. Lead product strategy and execution, influencing...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$117K - $201K *
Unlock potential by leading AI-driven endpoint management, enhancing security and user experience while transitioning to autonomous operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining data engineering by designing and maintaining robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable datasets for...
1 week ago
SR Regulatory Project Manager - R&D Advisory
$100K - $120K *
Transform life science R&D operations by leading initiatives that enhance efficiency and effectiveness across research, clinical, regulatory, and quality domains. Drive change through strategic projec...
1 week ago
Member of Technical Staff, AI Researcher (New Stealth Startup)
$250K - $400K *
Shape the future of AI by designing evaluation frameworks and feedback systems that enhance model performance. Collaborate across teams to translate research into scalable solutions, driving impactful...
Today
Software Engineer 4 - AI Native
$88K - $180K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI-native software development. Drive engineering excellence by orchestrating autonomous agents and maintaining high-quality standards in a FedRAMP-authorized e...
3 weeks ago
$245K - $260K *
Join a team that's redefining Digital Employee Experience and Unified Observability. As a Solutions Engineer, you'll partner with sales to drive technical strategies, solve complex challenges, and enh...
1 week ago
Senior SI/PI Engineer - AI and Compute Server Design
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to optimize high-speed interconnect performance through SI/PI simulation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance design quality and resolve signal issues across various a...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $90K *
Advance your career by managing project documentation, coordinating schedules, and ensuring quality control on large-scale construction projects across the U.S. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliv...
3 weeks ago
$104K - $141K *
Elevate supplier quality management in R&D by ensuring compliance, data integrity, and continuous improvement across the supplier lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support our mi...
2 weeks ago
$68K - $131K *
Optimize procurement processes by managing purchase orders and vendor returns. Collaborate with teams to ensure timely deliveries and compliance, while maintaining strong relationships and accurate re...
Yesterday
Lead Product Engineer - (AIOps for Observability) - Remote
$100K - $170K *
Transform your career by leading the development of AI-powered observability solutions that enhance operational efficiency and system resilience across multi-cloud environments. Drive innovation in au...
Reposted 2 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.