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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$124K - $170K *

Shape innovative cloud-based solutions as a technical leader, driving best practices in software development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable systems while managi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $135K *

Unlock potential by leading cross-functional quality initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites. Drive improvements, standardize processes, and enhance customer satisfaction through strategic qua...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $140K *

Unlock potential by leading quality initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites. Drive improvements, standardize best practices, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance customer sat...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $253K *

Join a dynamic team to lead complex instrumentation and controls engineering projects in nuclear power. Drive innovation, ensure compliance, and enhance safety through digital upgrades and strategic c...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Technical Services

$199K - $270K *

Shape the future of software development by enhancing tooling, CI/CD, and operational workflows, ensuring teams can seamlessly transition code changes into production with improved speed, quality, and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Engage in identifying and delivering industrial energy efficiency solutions across North America. Collaborate with teams to assess systems, develop technical solutions, and support projects from incep...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Transform the geocoding platform by enhancing data quality and search systems. Leverage ML and LLMs to optimize query understanding and automate data pipelines, impacting over 1 billion API calls dail...

New York, NYRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$69K - $101K *

Champion the reliability of automated systems by providing expert technical support, troubleshooting complex issues, and collaborating cross-functionally to ensure operational excellence and seamless...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$209K - $273K *

Grow your career with a technical leadership role tackling complex challenges while mentoring others and collaborating on impactful projects across multiple engineering teams, elevating standards and...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$105K - $202K *

Engineer robust data platforms by designing scalable pipelines and APIs that support AI-driven healthcare applications, ensuring high performance, security, and operational excellence in a collaborati...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$153K - $213K *

Drive efficiency by automating internal processes, enhancing productivity across teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, implement AI solutions, and ensure measurable impact on w...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative modeling approaches for power utilization across large-scale infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance decision-making and optimize re...

Menlo Park, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$92K - $110K *

Elevate your career by managing technical projects from inception to completion. Ensure customer satisfaction through effective coordination and a customer-focused approach in a dynamic startup enviro...

CanadaRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Engage in innovative software development, collaborating with Agile teams to design, implement, and support solutions for population simulation. Drive project timelines and enhance application process...

Alexandria, VARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $190K *

Elevate your career by ensuring AI systems perform reliably and transparently. As a key evaluator, you'll validate models, design audits, and provide critical insights that drive improvements and supp...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $255K *

Shape the future of cloud security by designing and implementing robust controls. Guide integrations in DevOps, perform comprehensive assessments, and mentor teams to reduce risks in AWS and mobile in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic engineering team in fire alarm design. Drive innovative solutions, optimize project performance, and collaborate across departments to ensure compliance and qu...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Empower growth in a vital industrial sector by leading customer engagement and collaboration in Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota, focusing on advanced rotating equipment solutions for enhancing plan...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$142K - $203K *

Design and optimize AI-ready networking infrastructures to support high-performance computing and data-intensive workloads. Collaborate with customers to assess, plan, and implement scalable solutions...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$76K - $103K *

Join us to design and develop propulsion hardware as a Mechanical Designer. Collaborate with engineers, create detailed CAD models, and ensure manufacturability of mechanical designs. Your expertise w...

Huntsville, ALRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading Digital Test & Evaluation initiatives that integrate modern software solutions into defense workflows, enhancing efficiency and data-driven decision-making across the T&E l...

Mountain View, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Optimize project delivery by leading cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of SaaS engagements. Foster strong client relationships while managing scope, timelines, and budgets to meet...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$94K - $112K *

Drive the development and validation of generator models for renewable projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners throu...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $140K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of innovative AI applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect solutions, mentor engineers, and ensure reliable, secure systems that al...

San Antonio, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$171K - $288K *

Unlock potential by leading the modernization of major build systems for software-defined vehicles. Drive technical progress, influence team direction, and enhance engineering productivity through inn...

Milford, CTRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.