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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$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

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Mountain View, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Charlotte, NCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Atlanta, GARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Detroit, MIRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Dallas, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Houston, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Spokane, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Kansas City, MORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Tampa, FLRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

Green Bay, WIRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

Atlanta, GARemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$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...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

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.