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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$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in managing projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver results on time while effectively co...

Arkansas, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$182K - $212K *

Lead quality assurance efforts in rolling stock engineering, overseeing vehicle procurement and rebuilds. Collaborate with teams to ensure high standards and timely delivery while supervising inspecti...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$125K - $150K *

Empower a dynamic team of engineers to innovate e-commerce solutions, driving growth through collaboration with product managers and stakeholders while leveraging AI to enhance development processes a...

Houston, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$158K - $197K *

Join a team that's redefining engineering innovation through advanced structural and thermal-mechanical modeling. Lead high-fidelity simulations to drive next-gen interconnect technology, collaboratin...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$133K - $178K *

Advance R&D financial strategies by leading planning, reporting, and analysis. Collaborate across teams to evaluate investments and enhance financial processes, ensuring informed decision-making and o...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Transform our data infrastructure by leading design and deployment of scalable systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data management, mentor engineers, and shape our technical ro...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$185K - $225K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of innovative project management, collaborating with scientists and engineers to drive complex client engagements. Your expertise will ensure successful delivery an...

Redwood City, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$170K - $220K *

Lead the charge in optimizing distribution networks to enhance efficiency, service performance, and cost-effectiveness. Drive strategic initiatives, evaluate operating models, and implement transforma...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $220K *

Pioneer innovative solutions by collaborating with defense clients to operationalize real-time intelligence. Design and deploy data pipelines and applications on Palantir Foundry, ensuring mission-cri...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of energy by optimizing power systems. Leverage your expertise in mathematical optimization and transmission planning to develop innovative solutions for grid cha...

Austin, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $280K *

Drive system architecture definition and refine requirements in a collaborative, agile environment. Engage with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with customer needs and technical solutions...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$214K - $220K *

Join a team that's redefining hardware design for high-performance systems. Lead innovative projects from concept to production, collaborating with top-tier partners to ensure reliability and manufact...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$100K - $146K *

Lead the charge in advancing downstream filtration technologies by partnering with customers and internal teams to solve complex bioprocessing challenges, drive technology adoption, and enhance custom...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Help us drive growth by identifying and closing automation opportunities. Collaborate with technical teams to deliver tailored solutions, build lasting customer relationships, and exceed sales targets...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Innovate noise control solutions for large-scale AI data centers. Lead acoustic studies, model sound propagation, and recommend effective mitigations while collaborating across engineering teams to en...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $150K *

Champion transformative AI adoption by working closely with enterprise clients, designing and executing integration solutions that elevate their operations and automate processes, while ensuring susta...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Pioneer advanced electrical systems design and validation for mission-critical hardware, leading cross-functional efforts in RF integration, mechanical design, and production readiness while addressin...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Transform the future as you design and validate cutting-edge electrical systems. Own the full hardware lifecycle and lead technical direction, ensuring top-level performance across mission-critical pr...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Join a founding team to architect and develop advanced multi-radio systems, integrating various wireless technologies into high-performance hardware for critical communication applications. Drive inno...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Champion your career by designing and validating complex electrical systems, ensuring high performance across hardware lifecycles while leading technical initiatives within a collaborative engineering...

Boston, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$139K - $188K *

Drive innovative IT solutions by leading multi-disciplinary teams, establishing operational policies, and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives that enhance overall organizat...

Minnesota, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by bridging engineering and user needs through exceptional technical documentation. This role requires translating complex information into clear, actionable content for training mate...

New Jersey, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$170K - $243K *

Unlock potential by leading AI infrastructure planning and network architecture. Collaborate with clients to design scalable solutions for high-performance computing and AI workloads, ensuring optimal...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$148K - $261K *

Transform the infrastructure landscape by architecting and scaling a Kubernetes-based platform that enables rapid deployment of innovative robotics solutions while mentoring engineers across teams to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate and customize Teamcenter-NX integration while developing tools and workflows. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experience through training, documentation, and testing for optimal perfor...

California, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.