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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$215K - $240K *

Shape the future of commercial operations by leading strategy, workflows, and data integration. Collaborate with senior leaders to enhance brand performance and drive operational excellence across cro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Build your career as a Software Architect, driving Cloud-Native solutions for the Royal Canadian Navy. Collaborate on innovative projects, enhance operational readiness, and develop cutting-edge train...

Ottawa, ONRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Elevate the security of AI agents by uncovering vulnerabilities and shaping industry standards through impactful research and responsible disclosure across diverse platforms and technologies...

New York City, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $194K *

Engineer cloud-based data platforms that drive AI insights for applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, scalable, and high-quality data management, leading design disc...

San Diego, CARemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to innovation and excellence, driving projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product development and ensure quality standa...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $220K *

Join a team that’s redefining cloud spend management by leading engaging technical sales cycles, crafting compelling product demos, and assisting clients across varied industries to achieve outstandin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building robust and innovative data capabilities. You will design and maintain pipelines, improve data integrity, and collaborate across teams to enhance insights and s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$132K - $251K *

Optimize cost modeling and benchmarking for complex assemblies, driving transparency in supplier negotiations across various defense products. Lead should cost assessments and develop models to enhanc...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $185K *

Lead the charge in advancing speech and audio models by defining data specifications, evaluating methodologies, and collaborating with customers and labs to enhance machine learning research in dynami...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$190K - $234K *

Empower transformative initiatives as you manage strategic technical programs across engineering and operations, driving excellence in tooling and integrations while mentoring a high-performing team i...

Mountain View, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Transform AI agent systems by owning technical decisions and delivery from design to production. Collaborate with stakeholders, develop workflows, and ensure reliability while mentoring engineers and...

Georgia, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining identity management across diverse platforms. You'll architect secure authentication and authorization systems, ensuring seamless access for users and organizations while...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead innovative technical solutions by collaborating with sales teams to address customer needs, manage engineering projects, and deliver custom system designs from concept to production, ensuring hig...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $110K *

Lead the execution of R&D tax credit projects, managing client engagements from start to finish while ensuring compliance and accuracy in documentation and reporting. Collaborate with cross-functional...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$95K - $110K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional field service support for imaging equipment. This role involves extensive travel, advanced troubleshooting, and mentoring junior engineers to ensure top-tier...

South Carolina, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$143K - $196K *

Champion innovative solutions in healthcare coding by leading cross-functional teams, optimizing product strategies, and enhancing customer experiences through data-driven insights and agile methodolo...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $200K *

Transform backend services and REST APIs in a collaborative environment. Leverage your software engineering skills to support cyber training initiatives, utilizing modern technologies and cloud infras...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$161K - $299K *

Optimize critical materials supply chains by collaborating across teams to identify risks, develop new sources, and enhance resilience. Drive initiatives to improve supplier capabilities and mitigate...

Grand Prairie, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in developing end-to-end AI workflows, integrating LLM systems, and enhancing production reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and elevate AI engineering pra...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $165K *

Pioneer in leading a dynamic team of Solution Engineers, optimizing multi-discipline datacenter solutions across data protection, storage, compute, and networking. Drive collaboration to shape industr...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $260K *

Shape the future of fleet navigation by owning end-to-end projects, delivering high-quality software across platforms, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance user experiences in complex envir...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Innovate cloud-based software solutions for the energy sector, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance power systems engineering processes. Leverage cutting-edge technologies to drive pro...

Austin, TXRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$153K - $234K *

Lead the charge in validating advanced sensor systems for autonomous vehicles. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and execute comprehensive validation campaigns, ensuring robust performance and...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$75K - $90K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive integrated AV system projects, ensuring effective communication and support between business units and development teams while managing on-site testing...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$155K - $170K *

Lead complex research initiatives by transforming business questions into actionable insights. Collaborate with clients to design robust studies, ensuring methodological integrity and advancing resear...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

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.