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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$130K - $170K *

Lead the evolution of our design system by building accessible, reusable components and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and streamline adoption across products...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $500K+*

Help us define, design, and validate power architecture for AI data centers, driving innovation in power efficiency and system performance. Collaborate across teams to bring cutting-edge solutions fro...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Drive innovative structural design solutions for utility projects, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams while mentoring junior engineers in a fast-paced environmen...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Engage in a dynamic role overseeing large projects and teams, ensuring successful delivery through effective stakeholder coordination and project management. Contribute to innovative power delivery so...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of rail vehicles by designing innovative structures and components. Leverage your expertise in 3D CAD and materials to create efficient, compliant designs that en...

Montreal, QCRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$140K - $185K *

Drive technical excellence by developing standards and processes for commissioning, ensuring consistent execution across projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance workforce capabili...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$280K - $330K *

Empower a dynamic engineering team by leading technical architecture, enhancing system reliability, and driving scalable solutions that support rapid growth in a fast-paced fintech environment. Foster...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$90K - $120K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in AI and automation solutions across retail. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, deploy, and support enterprise-level applications that enhance m...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading power systems engineering for transmission protection. Drive compliance, enhance reliability, and guide teams in innovative solutions to shape the future of energy with adv...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Elevate user experience by designing and implementing high-performance UIs. Engage in collaborative architecture decisions while developing scalable, visually stunning applications that empower users...

Menlo Park, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Engineer innovative civil designs for utility-scale solar and battery projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create site layouts, grading, and drainage plans, ensuring compliance and ef...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$101K - $206K *

Innovate with a team that's transforming healthcare through AI-driven software. Lead the development of scalable solutions, mentor engineers, and enhance workflows in a dynamic environment that impact...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Empower your career by developing AI-driven test automation solutions for airline APIs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance testing workflows and ensure high-quality software delivery i...

Miami, FLRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Create real-time user interface applications for automated aircraft systems, collaborating with a dynamic team of engineers. Lead the design and implementation to enhance pilot experiences, ensuring s...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $135K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of renewable energy through the design of utility-scale solar PV and battery storage systems. Collaborate with experienced engineers and drive the successful exec...

Denver, CORemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Drive engineering excellence by leading a multidisciplinary team to design, develop, and scale integrated hardware and software systems, ensuring reliability, quality, and operational effectiveness in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$150K - $350K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge reinforcement learning algorithms and frameworks. Collaborate on scaling research and training systems, focusing on your strengths to enhance AI capabilitie...

San Francisco, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $173K *

Optimize supplier performance and quality in a dynamic aerospace environment. Lead critical supplier assessments from qualification to delivery, ensuring compliance with high engineering standards and...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$72K - $99K *

Join a team that's dedicated to innovating insurance products, driving growth, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Collaborate with key stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle while contributing...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$124K - $134K *

Innovate and optimize our core fintech systems, leveraging AI-driven technologies while owning end-to-end product development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure impactful user experien...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $150K *

Shape the future of geometric modeling by developing innovative algorithmic solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior developers, and focus on delivering quality code while enh...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $160K *

Drive operational excellence by leading process and manufacturing engineering initiatives. Collaborate across teams to enhance efficiency, product quality, and scalability while fostering a culture of...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$223K - $317K *

Drive the evolution of a robust Fulfillment platform, shaping architecture and strategy while mentoring teams. Lead modernization efforts to enhance scalability, reliability, and performance, ensuring...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$185K *

Accelerate software development by leading a team of engineers, driving technical strategy, and ensuring delivery of scalable, customer-focused solutions with operational excellence...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $160K *

Lead the future of automation across a vast manufacturing network, providing strategic vision and technical solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity in operations. Act as a key expert driving...

Mentor, OHRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.