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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$210K - $263K *

Join a team that's redefining indirect sales strategies by building and scaling reseller and embedded partner programs. Drive significant revenue growth through strategic alliances and cross-functiona...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Lead the transformation of innovative technologies into market-ready products, collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify customer needs, prototype solutions, and drive commercialization fr...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$210K - $265K *

Transform engineering excellence by redefining AI paradigms, driving innovation, and shaping technical strategies to elevate performance across teams while enhancing the educational experience for stu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $135K *

Elevate user experience by conducting comprehensive UX research that transforms insights into actionable improvements for digital workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline proce...

Denver, CORemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K *

Partner with us to innovate and transform Quality & Regulatory operations through technology and data analytics. Drive automation, improve efficiency, and foster effective digital solutions that enhan...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer innovative solutions by partnering with customers and teams to transform AI and HPC requirements into reliable deployments, driving success through technical depth and collaboration across fun...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Empower our team as an Infrastructure Product Engineer, innovating scalable solutions and transforming complex infrastructure into impactful capabilities that enhance customer experience and performan...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $238K *

Join a dynamic team to leverage AI in enhancing application security. You'll assess vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and shape AI security strategies, driving innovation in a fast-paced environment w...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Take ownership of estimating and bidding for complex data center projects, developing accurate cost models and providing strategic insights to secure new business while collaborating with teams to ide...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$162K - $238K *

Design and optimize R&D operations to enhance organizational effectiveness through data-driven insights, collaboration, and governance. Partner cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement and e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Empower innovation by leading the development of production Generative AI solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and optimize workflows, ensuring operational excellence a...

Florida, USRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$95K - $149K *

Lead the charge in delivering complex product development projects by managing cross-functional teams, ensuring customer satisfaction, and driving operational excellence from initiation to delivery in...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$148K - $256K *

Shape the future of data engineering by architecting scalable, cloud-native data platforms on Azure and Databricks. Influence the organization’s data practices to leverage AI-driven insights, driving...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$85K - $115K *

Empower IT operations by building and managing internal systems, ensuring productivity and security. As the first hire, you'll shape the IT function, streamline processes, and support the team while c...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI integration in product development. Lead the creation of an AI-native PDLC framework, enhancing workflows through innovative AI solutions while collaboratin...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $190K *

Oversee project management for innovative small modular reactor deployments, ensuring timely delivery, customer satisfaction, and effective risk mitigation. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams an...

Wilmington, NCRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$184K - $356K *

Engage in cutting-edge AI innovation by leading the development of an open-source, plugin-based platform that enhances agent optimization and efficiency for scalable AI systems. Drive technical leader...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$104K - $155K *

Lead the charge in customer-focused project management, ensuring effective delivery of technical solutions while coordinating with diverse stakeholders and fostering strong relationships for successfu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $275K *

Champion the development of advanced AI systems by designing and optimizing a flexible Agent Execution framework that integrates seamlessly with various compute environments, empowering teams to condu...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$134K - $241K *

Deliver transformative transportation solutions by leading project teams, enhancing community infrastructure, and ensuring excellence in project execution through strategic planning and collaboration...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$180K - $210K *

Drive regulatory strategy and leadership in a dynamic biotech environment, ensuring compliance and advancing innovative RNA-based therapeutics through effective global regulatory submissions and stake...

North Carolina, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Innovate automation strategies by architecting agentic AI capabilities across business functions, enhancing AI fluency, and delivering measurable value through effective execution and KPI governance o...

Ohio, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$153K - $245K *

Transform the AI Data Center landscape by driving strategic growth and adoption of high-speed test solutions. Engage with key stakeholders to validate complex AI infrastructure and enhance interconnec...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Engineer innovative power system solutions by conducting EMT studies and developing models. Collaborate with leadership to enhance team expertise and deliver quality advisory support to clients in the...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable Workforce Management processes and tools, enhancing operational efficiency and planning accuracy across global Customer Excellence teams...

Tennessee, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.