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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$100K - $152K *

Unlock your potential by working in a collaborative team to design, analyze, and improve complex control systems in nuclear power plants, focusing on innovative solutions and critical project executio...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $160K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of engineering by leading architectural decisions, mentoring talent, and driving scalable design within our technical ecosystem, while influencing product and engi...

San Jose, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $225K *

Join a team that's transforming vehicle simulation workflows to enhance safety and performance. You'll develop cloud-based applications, optimize scalability, and engage with users to create intuitive...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $130K *

Champion the maintenance and support of existing software products while ensuring stability and responsiveness to customer needs. Collaborate across teams to enhance features and contribute to future...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $150K *

Transform complex challenges into scalable AI solutions by collaborating with enterprise clients, guiding projects from concept to deployment, and delivering impactful results across the entire custom...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$231K - $304K *

Champion groundbreaking FPGA software advancements through innovative algorithm design and technical leadership, enhancing implementation methodologies and driving superior performance in complex semi...

Colorado Springs, CORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $172K *

Champion procurement excellence by leading strategic initiatives, optimizing processes, and collaborating across functions to drive operational success in a fast-paced, regulated environment. Make a s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Drive the advancement of enterprise Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) capabilities in contested environments, leading technical studies and architectural development to enhance operat...

Washington, DCRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$85K - $100K *

Champion innovative solutions as a System Engineer, driving client success through technology implementation and project management. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and enhance clie...

Tampa, FLRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in ensuring technical excellence and quality across all P&C project deliverables. Provide mentorship, establish engineering standards, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to e...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing exceptional post-sales technical support for federal clients. You'll troubleshoot complex systems, collaborate with engineering teams, and ensure seamless ope...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$99K - $167K *

Develop and maintain robust data pipelines using SparkSQL and Pyspark, ensuring high-quality data for analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data analysis efficiency and support...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of AI engineering by leading technical outcomes, architecting production systems, and mentoring teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation and ensure operational excelle...

Florida, USRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Drive the technical vision for mobile app development, mentoring a team while ensuring high-quality releases and innovative solutions aligned with public safety missions. Work on complex Android archi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $143K *

Join a dynamic team as a Data Engineer, where you'll design and maintain data pipelines using SparkSQL and Pyspark. Your work will enhance data analysis efficiency, impacting industries and driving cu...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $100K *

Lead the charge in diverse civil engineering projects, applying advanced principles to design and oversee site development. Collaborate with teams, manage project scopes, and ensure successful executi...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovative AI solutions by integrating and deploying cutting-edge applications. Collaborate with teams to enhance customer experiences and drive value through advanced technology in a dynamic...

Dallas, TXRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$79K - $127K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing health research through innovative statistical analysis and mentoring. Collaborate with investigators to design studies, prepare publications, and present fin...

Ann Arbor, MIRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Transform the future of autonomous ground support equipment by leading product strategy and roadmap development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, performance, and reliability...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$135K - $150K *

Develop and expand advanced orbit design processes for satellite constellations, applying expertise in orbital mechanics. Collaborate with teams to enhance modeling tools and support mission planning...

Seattle, WARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $150K *

Unlock your potential by leading high-stakes proposals for public agencies in the rail and transit sector. Drive strategy, mentor teams, and craft compelling narratives to elevate project pursuits and...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $145K *

Elevate security standards by leading bug bounty programs, conducting audits, and enhancing software supply chain security. Collaborate across teams to build innovative tools that protect users and en...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by engaging customers to develop tailored solutions using open-source technologies and cloud-native architecture. Drive success through collaboration and innovation, bridging engineer...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing healthcare technology by developing and maintaining our Electronic Health Record platform using Ruby. Collaborate in an agile environment to deliver impactful...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of laboratory informatics by leading technical delivery and customer engagements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize solutions, enhance customer experience, and drive...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks 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.