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.
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative electrical engineering solutions for complex industrial projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams from concept to construction, ensuring quality and client satisfaction while fostering b...
2 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Java | Mainline
$160K - $200K *
Join a team that's enhancing IT Operations by designing scalable software solutions. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll lead development efforts, mentor peers, and ensure high-quality software that...
Yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Transform customer engagement by providing expert pre-sales technical support, leading complex solution development, and delivering impactful presentations to ensure tailored solutions meet client nee...
2 days ago
(Sr) Project Manager, Non-Interventional Trials Team
$110K - $130K *
Join our team to manage full-service clinical trials, ensuring project delivery meets quality, time, and cost expectations while serving as the primary contact between sponsors and the organization...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$132K - $157K *
Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring compliance and transparency in financial reporting. As a Senior Data Analyst, you'll collaborate across departments to organize data, draw insights, and suppor...
5 days ago
$122K - $165K *
Lead the charge in shaping data engineering practices, enhancing quality and delivery standards for enterprise data products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive scalable solutions and en...
4 weeks ago
Sr Mechanical Architect - Remote
$160K - $246K *
Engineer cutting-edge mechanical architectures for next-gen data centers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize designs for servers, HPC, and AI systems, ensuring high performance and ef...
2 weeks ago
$126K - $188K *
Shape the future of security operations by leading SOC Engineering to enhance telemetry, detection, and automation capabilities. Drive technical excellence, scalability, and strategic initiatives whil...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform enterprise product design by leading user-centric AI solutions, ensuring intuitive interfaces for complex workflows. Collaborate across teams to elevate design standards and enhance user tru...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$160K - $280K *
Join us to architect and build a cutting-edge web platform, driving marketing innovation through AI agents. Own technical decisions, enhance user experiences, and ensure seamless integration with our...
1 week ago
Senior Transmission Line Engineer 2 - Grid
$100K - $152K *
Unlock your potential by designing high-voltage transmission lines, leading project teams, and collaborating with clients. Utilize your engineering expertise to drive innovative solutions and mentor j...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Autonomy Actions Sustaining
$172K - $229K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of autonomous vehicle software by diagnosing and deploying solutions. Join a dynamic team to enhance capabilities and resolve complex challenges in a high-stakes e...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Elevate your career by driving innovative structural designs for light-gauge and cold-formed steel systems in modular and prefabricated buildings, ensuring compliance with California codes and enhanci...
Reposted today
Senior Red Team Engineer - Frontier AI Security (Remote US)
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...
Reposted 2 days ago
$171K - $190K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of scalable data platforms. Drive innovation in cloud data architecture and pipeline automation, collaborating across teams to deliver impactf...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $187K *
Transform energy efficiency initiatives by leading a skilled engineering team. Drive project execution, mentor talent, and enhance program delivery across multiple states, ensuring impactful cost savi...
Today
$105K - $115K *
Optimize security measures by leading technical solutions to mitigate information risks. Ensure compliance with corporate policies and oversee incident response, safeguarding all computing platforms a...
2 weeks ago
Fusion Product Engineer Senior Consultant
$75K - $124K *
Lead the charge in transforming risk management and compliance through innovative solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable enterprise applications that enhan...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer, Backend (Go)
$110K - $130K *
Innovate by building robust Go microservices for a multi-tenant AI platform. Collaborate with global teams to design API-first services, ensuring reliability and performance in production environments...
3 weeks ago
Principal Electrical Expert Global Design Standards
$160K - $235K *
Help us drive innovation in electrical engineering for data center projects, leading complex design, mentoring teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate across functions to o...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Core Engineering, Trusted Data Platform
$209K - $273K *
Advance your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategic execution and operational excellence while ensuring a reliable data platform aligns with enterprise goals and custo...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Structural Engineer Energy - Remote
$90K - $173K *
Lead the charge in innovative structural engineering for complex nuclear and commercial projects. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure safety and compliance while delivering high-quality designs a...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading the design of innovative applications that empower network teams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create user-centric solutions, transforming complex data into i...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower clinical research by leading studies in infectious diseases, ensuring scientific integrity and collaboration with stakeholders. Drive trial design, monitor data, and support medical activities...
4 days ago
INGENYX- Senior Quality Management Systems Manager
$152K - $175K *
Shape and enhance the global Quality Management System for medical devices by driving compliance, governance, and continuous improvement while leading a dedicated team across multiple sites to meet re...
Reposted 1 week 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.