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.
Sr Software Engineer, Audio Intelligence
$160K - $206K *
Elevate audio AI capabilities by designing and implementing innovative conversational systems while optimizing for user experience and real-time performance in smart home settings...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior AI Virtual Assistant Developer
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering secure, scalable IT solutions for Global Manufacturing, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance Virtual Assistant initiatives and ensure alignment with IT strategy...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in shaping the future of energy through advanced power system modeling and compliance assessments. Collaborate with a dynamic team to conduct studies, ensure project quality, and drive...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $140K *
Transform the tech landscape by creating innovative solutions as a Full Stack Engineer. Join a dynamic team, shaping product features that enhance lives while driving best practices in a fast-paced st...
4 weeks ago
Principal Research Scientist - Autonomous Systems
$146K - $234K *
Lead innovative research in autonomous systems, shaping solutions for AI challenges. Collaborate with diverse teams, define research programs, and engage with customers to deliver cutting-edge technol...
3 weeks ago
Structural Engineer (Remote or Hybrid)
$93K - $108K *
Engage with multidisciplinary teams to analyze and design structural systems for industrial projects. Utilize your engineering expertise to develop concepts, perform calculations, and ensure design co...
Reposted 3 days ago
Senior Manager, Research and Technology Enablement
$120K - $145K *
Transform legal research by enabling AI adoption in law firms. Collaborate with leaders to design effective workflows, enhance vendor partnerships, and build internal AI capabilities, ensuring clients...
2 weeks ago
$75K - $125K *
Bring your expertise to a collaborative team as a Technology Design Specialist, handling diverse projects. Utilize Revit for design coordination and documentation across communications, security, and...
1 month ago
Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Champion innovative solutions in instrumentation and control systems for power plants. Collaborate with engineers to design, troubleshoot, and enhance digital systems, ensuring project success and cli...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform the interaction of mobile robots with their environments by developing cutting-edge learning-based manipulation systems that enhance reliability and safety in dynamic settings, impacting rea...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading complex engineering initiatives across Microsoft 365 collaboration services, ensuring secure, reliable solutions while mentoring engineers and enhancing platform health thr...
3 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Virtualization and Linux Kernel
$224K - $431K *
Champion the advancement of open-source Linux kernel support for NVIDIA GPUs. Collaborate with global teams to develop virtualization features in Rust and C, driving technical proposals and enhancing...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to develop and customize software solutions, leveraging your expertise in Java, AWS, and agile methodologies. Collaborate on innovative projects that meet client needs while enhanc...
2 weeks ago
Lead Software Engineer - Technical Track
$131K - $180K *
Lead transformative software engineering initiatives, guiding teams to develop robust, full-stack systems that enhance digital safety research and foster collaboration across projects while mentoring...
3 days ago
Forward Deployed Strategist / Engineer (AI)
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative solutions for university clients by leveraging data and AI. Work collaboratively in cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges and drive impactful edu...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Industrial Controls Integration Engineer
$100K - $130K *
Empower our team by integrating cutting-edge industrial automation solutions. This hands-on role involves collaborating with clients to enhance manufacturing processes through effective PLC integratio...
1 week ago
$100K - $150K *
Lead the charge in enhancing infrastructure reliability and automation for large-scale game development projects, collaborating with teams to implement cloud solutions and streamline CI/CD processes...
3 days ago
$102K - $163K *
Lead the charge in designing and overseeing digital instrumentation and control systems, ensuring compliance with industry regulations while coordinating workflows and schedules with subcontractors to...
Today
$150K - $170K *
Develop high-performance Drools rules for a large-scale underwriting platform, ensuring deterministic and explainable decisions. Collaborate on architecture, optimize rule execution, and mentor junior...
Today
Senior Clinical Scientist - FSP
$110K - $130K *
Champion the clinical execution of complex studies, leading scientific oversight and medical monitoring while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and deliver impactful resul...
4 days ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Containers
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to drive technical vision and operational excellence in cloud-native platforms. Lead engineering efforts, champion security practices, and empower talent while ensuring system stab...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Tenant
$285K - $320K *
Lead the charge in delivering Honeycomb Private Cloud, driving product growth, and collaborating across teams to enhance operational processes while building a high-performing engineering team to supp...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Product Facing
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by architecting innovative financial solutions. As a software engineer, collaborate with diverse teams to build reliable applications that transform customer experiences and streamlin...
4 weeks ago
Transmission Line Engineer (Mid-Level)
$105K - $145K *
Elevate your career by designing and executing overhead transmission line projects. Collaborate across disciplines, mentor junior engineers, and ensure project quality and safety while engaging with c...
3 days ago
Renewable Senior Performance Engineer
$118K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to analyze solar PV energy yield assessments for utility-scale projects. Lead performance modeling and mentor engineers while expanding expertise across various renewable energy te...
2 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.