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.
$95K - $115K *
Champion the lifecycle sustainment of hypersonic weapons systems, ensuring operational readiness and technical integrity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align engineering solutions with fl...
1 week ago
$76K - $150K *
Join a strategic team to drive engineering investment returns and create demand through advanced technical support, collaborating closely with sales and customers while promoting innovative solutions...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $195K *
Take ownership of designing automated systems and robotic equipment for remote operations in radiological environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective integration and perf...
1 week ago
Chief Engineer Principal - Software
$118K - $204K *
Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...
Yesterday
Senior Electrical Engineer (USA)
$120K - $145K *
Empower your career as a Senior Electrical Engineer, leading cutting-edge designs for high-capacity data centers, while collaborating with top industry professionals on impactful, mission-critical pro...
4 weeks ago
$88K - $154K *
Optimize and integrate the manufacturing process for hazardous materials, taking ownership from design through commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safety and efficiency i...
3 weeks ago
Lead Mechanical Engineer 2 - Nuclear
$134K - $205K *
Join a dynamic team influencing nuclear power systems design. Contribute to modification packages, technical specifications, and engineering analyses to enhance operations and lead projects, ensuring...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the development and integration of advanced nuclear energy systems by applying systems engineering methods to translate objectives into clear, verifiable requirements and solutions, while collab...
Yesterday
$125K - $150K *
Optimize the AI core systems transforming public records into actionable data. Collaborate with research and engineering to enhance scalability, efficiency, and accuracy across national applications...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Software Verification & Validation Engineer
$168K - $280K *
Lead the charge in enhancing flight software validation and verification processes, impacting critical aerospace projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with rigorous st...
1 month ago
Senior Controls Engineer, Manufacturing
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of dental technology by leading software development for specialized machines, shaping the future of custom prosthetics manufacturing in a dynamic, high-growth env...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Linux Development Engineer – eLxr Distribution
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of Linux development by enhancing a Debian-based distribution. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable platform capabilities for mission-criti...
1 week ago
$250K - $300K *
Accelerate progress at a forward-thinking company by leading a dynamic engineering team, fostering a culture of excellence while delivering innovative product features and driving technical growth. Co...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
3D Electrical Design Engineer III
$95K - $115K *
Transform the future of renewable energy by leading 3D design for utility-scale battery and solar projects. Collaborate with engineers, mentor designers, and ensure project success through innovative...
3 weeks ago
$145K - $175K *
Empower progress at the forefront of semiconductor technology by managing process transfers and product qualifications with cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional yield and reliability standards...
3 weeks ago
$107K - $204K *
Join our team to lead the development and modernization of a critical software platform, driving architectural updates and AI integration while mentoring junior developers and ensuring compliance with...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Application Engineer - Ultrapure Water & Microelectronics
$109K - $154K *
Engage with clients as a technical expert, driving innovative water treatment solutions. Oversee proposal lifecycle, collaborate globally, and leverage engineering expertise to design custom ultrapure...
Today
Senior Application Engineer - Ultrapure Water & Microelectronics
$109K - $154K *
Pioneer innovative Ultra Pure Water treatment solutions as a key technical contact, leading bid strategy and project execution while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored clien...
Today
$72K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as you collaborate on innovative electrical designs, progressing from basic tasks to complex projects while ensuring quality and efficiency in a supportive environment...
6 days ago
Lead Scientific EngineerProgrammer
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of innovative modeling capabilities to enhance our advanced simulation framework, collaborating with engineers to integrate numerical methods and apply machine learning for mo...
3 days ago
(Senior) Robotic Sales Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining automation by leading technical sales efforts, collaborating with clients to identify automation opportunities, and transforming production challenges into innovative sol...
1 week ago
Systems Engineer - Research Infrastructure & Lab Platforms - Government Customer
$120K - $140K *
Unlock potential by architecting and enhancing next-gen research platforms, driving automation and reliability to provide researchers with cutting-edge tools. Collaborate in a dynamic environment brid...
Reposted 3 days ago
$143K - $241K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable data solutions, optimize performance, and enhance software architecture while adhering to coding standards and leveraging AI to...
3 weeks ago
$126K - $167K *
Shape the future of mission-critical facilities by leading electrical design projects. Collaborate with design and project management teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring compliance with co...
1 week ago
$192K - $289K *
Elevate enterprise-level IT solutions by leading architecture and engineering for a diverse portfolio of ~190 platforms. Drive technical performance and strategy, collaborating with senior leaders to...
3 days 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.