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.
$140K - $170K *
Execute complex, cross-functional initiatives while navigating ambiguity and redefining operational models. Your strategic insights and leadership will propel projects to success and enhance overall o...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$175K - $400K *
Elevate your career by leading strategic sourcing for datacenter rack development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive supplier strategies, manage vendor relationships, and ensure quality...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Unlock potential by leading regional rail engineering projects, driving growth initiatives, and fostering client relationships. This role demands technical expertise and strategic vision to ensure suc...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Lead the charge in regional rail engineering, driving project delivery and strategic growth. Leverage technical expertise to manage client relationships and mentor teams, ensuring quality execution ac...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Elevate your career by leading regional rail engineering projects, driving growth initiatives, and fostering client relationships. Bring your expertise to manage multidisciplinary teams and ensure qua...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Lead the charge in expanding our rail engineering practice across regions. Drive project delivery, foster client relationships, and mentor teams while ensuring quality and compliance in all rail proje...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Lead the charge in expanding our rail engineering practice by providing strategic oversight, technical expertise, and fostering client relationships across multiple regions, ensuring successful projec...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Lead the charge in expanding rail engineering practices across regions, providing technical expertise, managing client relationships, and ensuring successful project delivery while mentoring teams and...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of rail engineering by providing strategic leadership, managing key client relationships, and overseeing project delivery across multiple regions. Your expertise...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of rail engineering by providing strategic leadership, managing key client relationships, and overseeing project delivery across multiple regions. Your expertise...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Champion regional growth by leading rail engineering projects, fostering client relationships, and ensuring quality delivery across multiple states. Leverage your expertise to mentor teams and drive s...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Lead the growth of our rail practice by providing technical expertise, managing client relationships, and overseeing project delivery across multiple regions. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality...
3 weeks ago
$140K - $200K *
Shape the future of rail engineering by leading strategic initiatives, managing client relationships, and overseeing project delivery across multiple regions. Drive growth and ensure quality execution...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Federal & Regulated Infrastructure
$215K - $315K *
Lead the charge in building secure, compliant infrastructure for our DaaS platform. Drive engineering excellence while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet the needs of regulated customer...
3 days ago
Capital Project Engineer - CommissioningCC&S -Pulp/Paper industry - Remote w/travel
$137K - $183K *
Empower your career by leading capital projects in commissioning. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure successful startup and adherence to safety standards while traveling extensively to drive pro...
6 days ago
Capital Project Engineer - CommissioningCC&S -Pulp/Paper industry - Remote w/travel
$137K - $183K *
Lead the commissioning process for capital projects in the pulp and paper industry. Collaborate with diverse teams, oversee testing procedures, and ensure safety compliance while traveling extensively...
6 days ago
Senior Software Safety Engineer
$135K - $175K *
Engineer your career with a Senior Software Safety Engineer role focused on developing safety-critical autonomous systems. Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to enhance software safety process...
1 week ago
$110K - $120K *
Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of customer solutions by leveraging technical expertise to design, implement, and optimize innovative open-source solutions, engaging with clients and directly impacting product direc...
4 weeks ago
Manager, Operations Program Management
$125K - $211K *
Join our dynamic team as you lead new product launches in hardware manufacturing. Oversee cross-functional collaborations, manage operational risks, and drive high-quality production strategies that s...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Power Systems Engineer - Modeling
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead complex interconnection studies and provide expertise in transmission planning. Collaborate with clients and staff to innovate solutions that shape the future of energy acr...
1 week ago
Applied ML Engineer - Edge Devices
$130K - $160K *
Transform ML research into production-ready models, enhancing workflows and systems. Collaborate with scientists to develop efficient pipelines for deploying models rapidly and reliably, optimizing pe...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Instrumentation & Electrical Project Engineer - Natural Gas
$90K - $120K *
Champion innovative engineering solutions for gas transmission projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance design quality and operational performance while ensuring compliance with...
1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer
$140K - $160K *
Lead the charge in embedding AI solutions across clinical, product, and operations teams, ensuring validated and governed features are shipped. Own initiatives end-to-end, enhance AI fluency, and buil...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer
$145K - $165K *
Design and deliver AI solutions within clinical and product teams, spearheading validated features while ensuring compliance. Collaborate across functions to enhance AI fluency and operational capabil...
4 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.