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.
Senior Engineering Manager, OLO
$250K - $270K *
Lead the charge in enhancing the guest web ordering experience by managing a team of full-stack engineers. Drive product innovation, optimize conversion rates, and ensure engineering excellence across...
3 weeks ago
$83K - $116K *
Tackle complex technical challenges by delivering exceptional field support for bioprocessing products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer satisfaction and drive service excel...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Champion the development of an autonomous AI platform through full-stack engineering, enhancing multi-agent systems and ensuring robust quality and safety standards across production deployments...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform structural engineering solutions by designing and analyzing systems for mission-critical environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency in...
Today
$99K - $120K *
Build innovative building automation systems in a fast-paced, remote environment. Lead design projects while mentoring junior engineers, collaborating with diverse teams to ensure high-quality deliver...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Field Application Scientist, Pathway & NGS Analysis Software, QDI
$100K - $124K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful scientific software demonstrations and training. Collaborate with diverse teams to address customer needs and enhance bioinformatics solutions, driving innovati...
1 week ago
Regulatory Publishing Technical Consultant (Regulatory Systems)
$100K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a Technical Consultant, providing expert support in regulatory publishing systems and document management. Collaborate with teams and clients to troubleshoot issues, enhance s...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Elevate your career by driving data engineering excellence in Palantir Foundry, transforming legacy systems into robust pipelines and applications while collaborating with cross-functional teams to de...
1 week ago
Applied AI Engineer (Full-Stack)
$125K - $150K *
Unlock innovative AI solutions by designing and building full-stack applications. Collaborate with teams to transform ideas into production-ready software, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and enh...
Yesterday
$106K - $198K *
Lead the charge in developing mission-critical Command & Control solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define system requirements and create innovative architectures that meet diverse...
Today
$113K - $169K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of software applications by providing technical expertise and customer solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product development and enhance...
1 week ago
Engineering Manager - Secure Access
$140K - $170K *
Advance your career by leading a dynamic team in developing secure access solutions. Drive technical direction, manage project delivery, and mentor engineers while balancing customer reliability with...
1 week ago
$130K - $160K *
Develop innovative measurement solutions by leveraging data science expertise to solve complex marketing challenges. Collaborate closely with customers and cross-functional teams to deliver insights...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Build innovative software solutions by leveraging your backend expertise in Ruby or Python. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences while maintaining high standards for cod...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior AI Software Engineer, Agentic Systems & Data Fabric
$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by joining a cross-functional team to design and implement scalable AI workflows on a multi-cloud data platform, ensuring secure data governance and integration for enterprise applica...
2 weeks ago
Substation Engineering: Principal Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Unlock your potential as a senior technical leader in utility substation engineering, driving quality standards and innovative solutions for complex projects while mentoring a growing team and collabo...
1 week ago
Fabrication Business Development Manager
$100K - $120K *
Unlock growth by developing customer relationships and driving sales in metal fabrication. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver value-added solutions, enhance market presence, and suppor...
3 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer - Power System Studies
$80K - $120K *
Contribute to power system studies for high-voltage substations, ensuring reliability and compliance. Collaborate with engineers, support project documentation, and drive continuous improvement initia...
1 week ago
Senior Computer Systems Validation Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Transform validation processes by ensuring compliance and data integrity for computerized systems in a regulated environment. Collaborate with teams to develop strategies and mentor junior members whi...
1 week ago
Design Verification Engineer - Compute
$160K - $500K+*
Accelerate progress at the forefront of silicon verification. Own and enhance methodologies, manage test execution, and drive crucial reviews to ensure successful design transitions from concept to pr...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Process Engineer, Commercialization & Scale-Up
$95K - $115K *
Transform the manufacturing landscape by engineering robust, scalable processes that translate formula standards into production realities, ensuring seamless handoffs and collaboration with co-manufac...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $180K *
Build a robust data foundation to elevate Market Intelligence. Drive automation and streamline data workflows, enriching insights for research and publishing, while ensuring data integrity and accessi...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - 26402
$110K - $140K *
Drive your career with a dynamic team focused on developing innovative software solutions for the electric and gas distribution market, enhancing functionality and integration while mentoring junior d...
Today
$90K - $110K *
Join our team to enhance security and automation in delivery pipelines, driving consistent deployments and compliance through modern DevSecOps practices alongside skilled professionals...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $153K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing healthcare quality through innovative testing strategies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust, user-centered products while mentoring jun...
3 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.