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.
Senior Engineering Manager, Observability Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading a high-impact engineering team focused on observability. Drive technical roadmaps, enhance platform reliability, and ensure operational excellence while collaborating with...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of dental practice management by leading software development and strategy while optimizing user experiences and ensuring compliance as we expand into new markets, collaborating with...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Machine Learning Engineer
$170K - $270K *
Lead the charge in advancing machine learning evaluations through hands-on infrastructure and customer collaborations, shaping benchmarks for diverse models in a high-ownership role...
1 month ago
Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate - CTA Senior Specialist
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's advancing global health by supporting critical clinical trial submissions. In this role, you'll lead regulatory strategies, ensure compliance, and collaborate with diverse teams to...
1 week ago
$107K - $147K *
Unlock potential by partnering with clients to implement CDI solutions, optimize workflows, and enhance client satisfaction. Leverage your expertise to drive change and ensure best practices in health...
2 weeks ago
Field Application Engineer - San Jose
$91K - $175K *
Empower your career by driving demand and fostering relationships as you provide technical leadership and support for semiconductor solutions. Collaborate with sales teams to influence designs and acc...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Staff Product Success Architect
$171K - $300K *
Lead the charge in scaling AI adoption through strategic engineering, tackling complex deployments, and mentoring talent. Shape the future of the GAIL program by enhancing tooling, standards, and cust...
2 days ago
NPI Manufacturing Engineer - AI Compute Hardware
$160K - $500K+*
Elevate production capabilities by leading NPI for AI compute systems, ensuring robust manufacturing processes from EVT to mass production. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver scalable, efficien...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Software Engineer II, AI Platform
$130K - $198K *
Lead the charge in building AI platform capabilities that power next-gen experiences, enabling teams to create scalable systems and multi-step workflows. Collaborate with engineers to develop reliable...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Owners Engineer - Civil Structural
$110K - $130K *
Lead a team to design and oversee civil structural projects, ensuring quality and technical excellence across all phases. Collaborate with clients and mentor junior engineers while managing diverse pr...
2 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential in cloud-native engineering! Contribute to design, automation, and operations of mission-critical video technologies, shaping scalable platform solutions and operational excellen...
4 weeks ago
Biopharma Production Systems Specialist
$86K - $146K *
Accelerate growth by leading customer consultations and technical sales support in biopharmaceutical production. Collaborate with teams to develop strategies that drive business objectives and enhance...
4 days ago
$157K - $238K *
Join a team that's redefining security by leveraging AI to enhance application safety. You'll assess vulnerabilities, develop innovative security solutions, and shape the AI security strategy across t...
3 weeks ago
$157K - $238K *
Lead the charge in enhancing application security by integrating AI-driven solutions, conducting assessments, and shaping the AI security strategy across the organization. Collaborate with cross-funct...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Mission Planning
$120K - $145K *
Innovate in mission planning by developing autonomous operations for satellite constellations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, prototype code, and optimize algorithms...
2 weeks ago
Senior Generative AI Python Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Unlock innovation by designing backend services in Python and enhancing AI-powered search solutions. Collaborate in agile teams to create impactful enterprise search products while mentoring peers and...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your 7+ years of experience to build robust data systems and pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to transform raw data into actionable insights, enhancing business...
4 weeks ago
Lead Engineer, Store Technology
$130K - $150K *
Shape innovative cloud and hybrid infrastructure solutions while collaborating with diverse teams to ensure security, scalability, and efficiency in store technology operations. Elevate performance th...
3 weeks ago
Principal Technical Consultant - Forward Deployed Engineer, AI Security
$200K - $230K *
Lead a team that operationalizes advanced AI security solutions for enterprises, ensuring integration and compliance across environments. Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into e...
3 weeks ago
Fire Protection & Plumbing Engineer III
$104K - $130K *
Engage with our engineering team to enhance your expertise in fire protection and plumbing design for commercial projects. Collaborate closely with project management, produce construction documents...
2 weeks ago
Fire Protection & Plumbing Engineer III
$126K - $162K *
Engineer innovative fire protection and plumbing solutions for commercial projects. Collaborate with design and project management teams to produce high-quality construction documents and lead complex...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion power system analysis by conducting modeling for transmission planning studies, ensuring compliance with NERC standards, and delivering high-quality technical reports while managing multiple...
6 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Architect scalable systems and infrastructure to meet evolving regulations while collaborating across teams to create exceptional customer experiences in a dynamic environment...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Lead Transmission Line Engineer (Remote)
$120K - $163K *
Empower your career by leading the design of high voltage transmission lines. Utilize advanced engineering techniques and collaborate with multi-discipline teams to deliver innovative solutions and en...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Take ownership of impactful projects, designing and implementing robust backend systems with a high-performing team. Collaborate, innovate, and contribute to a culture of speed, quality, and continuou...
Reposted 2 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.