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.
$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...
1 week ago
Acoustics Engineer, Capacity Delivery
$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...
Yesterday
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - Data Enablement
$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...
Reposted 1 week ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Engineer, Solutions Architecture - Networking
$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...
Reposted 3 days ago
Sr Site Reliability Engineer, Platform
$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...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
REMOTE role for Teamcenter & NX Engineer
$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...
4 weeks ago
Lead Software Platform Engineer, MLOps
$200K - $270K *
Join a team pioneering AI/ML platform engineering, enhancing scalable infrastructure to empower scientific innovation. Shape the future of distributed systems and MLOps, collaborating across teams to...
Reposted 6 days ago
$110K - $177K *
Lead the charge in software development across a cross-functional team while ensuring quality and technical excellence. Balance hands-on coding with team leadership to deliver high-value applications...
Reposted yesterday
$75K - $110K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative civil engineering projects, delivering high-quality site designs, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance renewable energy and infrastructure d...
3 weeks ago
$78K - $103K *
Support customers by providing expert technical assistance for refrigeration systems, ensuring optimal application and performance. Collaborate with sales teams and engineers to enhance product offeri...
Today
Senior AI Data & Analytics Engineer II
$137K - $231K *
Optimize data infrastructure and AI solutions to drive impactful analytics and automation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect scalable data models and pipelines, ensuring high-qualit...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Public Sector
$180K - $200K *
Champion innovation by developing scalable backend solutions and troubleshooting complex issues within our Cyber-Physical Systems platform. Collaborate with global teams to enhance performance and ens...
Yesterday
Senior System Software Engineer, Agentic Retrieval
$184K - $356K *
Unlock your potential by developing cutting-edge pipelines for multi-modal content retrieval. Collaborate with experts in Generative AI and enhance user experiences through innovative software solutio...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform energy solutions by leading diverse projects, conducting analyses, and collaborating with clients. Utilize engineering expertise to drive efficiency and sustainability in various sectors, en...
2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Trajectory Generation & Controls
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of autonomous driving by leading trajectory generation and controls. Collaborate across teams to deliver safe, optimized solutions while enhancing vehicle performance through innovati...
2 days ago
Principal Software Engineer, Core Engine
$179K - $341K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance C#/.NET integration for Unity Engine, driving performance and reliability. Collaborate with experts to deliver key technical solutions and advocate best practices for de...
1 week ago
$140K - $185K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product strategy, manage roadmaps, and enhance customer experiences. Lead product initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals while mentoring j...
1 week ago
$186K - $280K *
Transform design verification processes by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance methodologies, automate tooling, and implement infrastructure that accelerates product development from...
2 weeks ago
Coherent DSP Applications Engineer
$130K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the integration and optimization of cutting-edge coherent DSP optical solutions, collaborating with hyperscale customers and engineering teams to drive product success and...
Today
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.