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.
Principal Quality Assurance Specialist, External Manufacturing
$150K - $190K *
Champion quality assurance excellence in GMP for drug substance and products, overseeing compliance and methodologies. Collaborate to ensure regulatory adherence while maintaining operational efficien...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, Platform Engineering
$152K - $228K *
Lead the charge in system-level design and engineer solutions crossing team boundaries. Empower those around you through coaching while maintaining hands-on involvement. Drive innovation in data engin...
1 month ago
$80K - $95K *
Help us deliver innovative environmental design projects by leading cross-functional teams through all phases from planning to implementation, ensuring alignment, managing risks, and achieving client...
3 weeks ago
Principal Mechanical Engineer (Starship)
$130K - $155K *
Engineer cutting-edge mechanical systems for revolutionary aerospace projects. Collaborate across disciplines to design, test, and iterate on flight hardware while empowering hands-on engagement with...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading a technical team to enhance collaboration tools in a dynamic, cloud-based environment. Engage with federal clients, drive Agile practices, and ensure toolset efficiency...
3 weeks ago
$106K - $147K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative software solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, shaping product roadmaps, and delivering high-quality user interfaces and APIs that enhance us...
Yesterday
$150K - $180K *
Lead the development and operation of a cutting-edge Security Observability & Data Platform, enhancing endpoint security, threat detection, and incident response while driving innovation in security s...
2 days ago
Senior Substation Project Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts for substation projects, ensuring technical direction, quality, and successful delivery. Collaborate with teams to manage complex projects from design throug...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Integrations Delivery & Support
$148K - $190K *
Unlock your potential as you build and maintain integrations that connect security tools to enhance customer workflows. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, deliver, and support reliable solutio...
2 weeks ago
Assistant Project Manager (MEP Design)
$83K - $104K *
Collaborate effectively with project teams to manage workflows, deliverables, and communications, ensuring high-quality execution across all project phases in commercial and critical environments...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Shape the future of product quality by designing automated tests and performance evaluations, ensuring reliability and scalability in complex systems. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and...
4 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Lead the charge in overseeing complex clinical trials, ensuring timely execution and adherence to budget. Drive collaboration across teams while maintaining high standards for project delivery and sta...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Shape the future of healthcare solutions by leading the design of innovative systems. Collaborate with engineering teams and architectural experts to create coherent, actionable designs for business a...
3 weeks ago
VDC (Virtual Design in Construction) Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Collaborate with teams to enhance construction efficiency by developing 3D models, installation drawings, and schedules. Drive project success through proactive planning, conflict resolution, and effe...
3 weeks ago
Lead Forward Deployed Engineer (AI Enablement)
$194K - $272K *
Elevate AI solutions by leading engineering efforts that transform business workflows. Collaborate with teams to identify opportunities, prototype solutions, and implement scalable AI applications tha...
3 days ago
$90K - $120K *
Reimagine quality assurance by executing and monitoring project-specific quality plans, ensuring compliance, resolving issues, and fostering continuous improvement to meet stakeholder expectations in...
Reposted 1 month ago
Engineering Manager, Identity & Access Platform
$195K - $236K *
Optimize our identity and access platform by leading a skilled engineering team. Drive technical direction, manage architecture decisions, and enhance security practices while fostering collaboration...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Lead the design and management of robust and scalable network infrastructure for hyperscale data centers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high performance and reliability in support...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading product vision and strategy, driving customer insights to align with business goals. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring impactful outcomes f...
3 weeks ago
Senior I&C Engineer Energy - Remote
$90K - $173K *
Lead the design and development of I&C systems for Small Modular Reactors, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create documentation and provide tec...
2 days ago
$82K - $95K *
Join our dynamic team to support and coordinate innovative automation projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, enhance processes, and contribute to impactful solutions while gaining valuable...
3 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Reimagine your career as a Solutions Engineer, collaborating with Sales to craft tailored product demonstrations addressing aviation sector challenges, while influencing product development through cu...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Clinical Trial Manager, Class III Medical Devices
$117K - $156K *
Shape the future of clinical trials by managing the execution and oversight of Class III medical device studies. Collaborate with teams and ensure compliance, quality standards, and operational succes...
1 month ago
Senior Technical Support Engineer
$120K - $137K *
Empower customers as a Senior Technical Support Engineer, solving complex technical issues with modern tools while enhancing user experience, collaborating with engineering, and shaping innovative sup...
3 weeks ago
Senior DL Compiler Engineer - CUDA Tile LPU
$152K - $241K *
Engage with a dynamic team to enhance CUDA Tile, optimizing compiler transformations and performance for NVIDIA GPUs. Drive innovation in deep learning applications, defining APIs and implementing cut...
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.