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.
$170K - $180K *
Transform quality management across renewable energy projects by leading initiatives that enhance processes, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement. Collaborate with cross-functional team...
Today
NI Technical Systems Engineer - South East
$115K - $155K *
Drive innovative solutions by collaborating with account teams to identify, design, and implement technical strategies that enhance customer success and strengthen relationships across the Southeast r...
1 week ago
Tools Development Engineer (REMOTE)
$110K - $130K *
Unlock the potential of next-gen AI systems by defining serviceability tools architecture. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create actionable requirements and enhance documentation for compl...
2 weeks ago
Forward Deployed Engineer, AI & Agentforce
$110K - $130K *
Join our AI acceleration team to drive impactful client engagements, rapidly prototype solutions, and demonstrate innovative agentic capabilities, all while collaborating closely with stakeholders to...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Drive the administration and enhancement of Nagios XI monitoring systems, ensuring optimal performance and coverage across diverse environments. Collaborate with IT teams to identify gaps and implemen...
Today
Principal Software Engineer, Collaborative Web Platform
$175K - $219K *
Elevate engineering excellence by guiding technical strategy and best practices across teams. Lead architectural vision, ensure reliability and security, and foster collaboration to build a cutting-ed...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Math Libraries - Consumer and Embedded Platforms
$152K - $287K *
Empower cutting-edge AI applications by enabling CUDA Math Libraries on diverse platforms. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure high-quality performance and compliance, driving innovation in s...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $110K *
Transform your career by developing innovative software solutions in a collaborative Agile environment. Engage in all phases of the software development lifecycle while enhancing cybersecurity and ide...
Yesterday
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Unlock potential by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation of high-performance SoCs. Drive advanced FinFET design challenges, optimize PPA, and ensure robust timing closure in a fully remote environment...
2 weeks ago
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Transform high-performance SoC designs by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, optimizing PPA, and overcoming advanced FinFET challenges. Drive physical design from synthesis to signoff, ensuring robu...
2 weeks ago
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Lead the charge in advanced FinFET physical design, driving RTL-to-GDSII implementation for high-performance SoCs. Collaborate on timing closure and optimization, utilizing cutting-edge tools to push...
2 weeks ago
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Transform high-performance SoC designs by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, tackling advanced FinFET challenges, and driving timing closure for optimal Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) at the Glo...
2 weeks ago
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Optimize high-performance SoC designs by leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, tackling advanced FinFET challenges, and driving timing closure for cutting-edge technology nodes...
2 weeks ago
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Transform high-performance SoC designs as a Senior Physical Design Engineer, leading RTL-to-GDSII implementation, optimizing PPA, and driving timing closure on advanced FinFET nodes. Collaborate on in...
2 weeks ago
Sr Physical Design Engineer (GF 12LP) - 100% remote
$135K - $165K *
Drive advanced RTL-to-GDSII physical design for high-performance SoCs, tackling FinFET challenges and optimizing Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) metrics while ensuring robust timing closure and phy...
2 weeks ago
BIOS Senior/Lead Software Engineer
$120K - $195K *
Drive the development and maintenance of low-level CPU firmware and BIOS software, collaborating with hardware engineers and vendors to ensure reliable system initialization and booting across all pro...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineering Technical Leader
$177K - $257K *
Advance internal AI platforms, enabling efficient engineering workflows for scalable AI agents. Collaborate with teams to build and enhance tools that increase productivity and reduce toil across the...
Reposted today
Software Engineering Technical Leader
$166K - $238K *
Transform high-volume DNS resolver systems as a key engineer, driving exceptional performance in mission-critical environments. Collaborate with teams to develop services on AWS and OpenStack, ensurin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$92K - $110K *
Transform battery design through advanced structural analysis and optimization. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure quality and efficiency in product development while meeting deadlines and e...
1 week ago
$95K - $120K *
Lead the charge in administering and supporting Microsoft cloud and on-premises environments, ensuring seamless operations and project coordination for Microsoft 365 implementations while enhancing us...
2 weeks ago
AI Infrastructure DC Design Engineer IV
$114K - $180K *
Transform infrastructure design by leading complex data center initiatives, driving technical standards, and mentoring teams. Collaborate across functions to enhance operational excellence and innovat...
1 week ago
AI Infrastructure DC Design Engineer IV
$114K - $180K *
Shape the future of data center design by leading complex infrastructure initiatives, enforcing engineering standards, and mentoring teams to drive innovation and operational excellence across multipl...
1 week ago
AI Infrastructure DC Design Engineer IV
$114K - $180K *
Shape the future of data center design by leading complex infrastructure initiatives, enforcing engineering standards, and mentoring teams to drive innovation and operational excellence across multipl...
1 week ago
Platform Engineer - FedD180/FedD181
$123K - $166K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cloud platform reliability and security. As a Platform Engineer, you'll leverage your expertise in Kubernetes and CI/CD to build and maintain robust infrastru...
1 week ago
Sr. Program Manager - Aerospace Defense and Space
$120K - $145K *
Champion the execution of aerospace defense programs, driving operational excellence and compliance. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure project success, aligning with strategic goals while enhancin...
Today
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.