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.
Sr. Scientist I - Analytical Chemistry and Molecular Biology - FSP
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of analytical chemistry by leading high-throughput testing, sample analysis, and documentation in a dynamic lab environment. Collaborate with a team to ensure compliance with safe...
3 weeks ago
National Manager I, Power Generation & Transmission
$110K - $130K *
Lead the growth of national Power Generation and Transmission accounts. Develop strategic relationships, identify opportunities, and drive revenue through collaboration with internal teams and clients...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Design robust distributed systems with zero-knowledge proofs. Contribute to building Rust-based rollup nodes and sequencers. Ensure security while enabling rapid development to scale smart contract ap...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the accounting department's daily operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with GAAP, and effective team management. Drive efficiency in accounts payable and receivable while...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Partner Technology Architecture
$202K - $334K *
Lead the charge in developing a high-performing team of Partner Technology Architects, driving partner growth through technical excellence, solution strategy, and AI adoption while ensuring impactful...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Shape innovative solutions for public safety and more as a Staff Solutions Engineer. Collaborate with regional teams to enhance technical pre-sales support, craft winning strategies, and deliver best...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$127K - $191K *
Create robust, scalable solutions that enhance user experiences for bank administrators and customers. Lead the charge in system design and architecture while guiding and mentoring peers to elevate co...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a pioneering team as the first Support Engineer, driving enterprise customer success while collaborating closely with engineering to triage issues, build support frameworks, and enhance product k...
Reposted today
$90K - $110K *
Join our team to deliver innovative waste management solutions. Collaborate with clients to optimize operations through tailored technology integrations and enhance sustainability efforts while drivin...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Generalist Engineer (Video Games)
$110K - $130K *
Drive the revitalization of classic games by designing and refining emulators for modern platforms. Collaborate with a talented team to enhance performance, compatibility, and player experience while...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by designing and deploying GenAI applications that drive business solutions. Collaborate with teams to integrate AI technologies, ensuring scalability and security while staying ahead...
4 days ago
Software Engineer, AI Platform
$185K - $215K *
Innovate by designing and operating AI products that enhance engineering workflows, ensuring compliance in a regulated environment while driving continuous improvement and integrating cutting-edge tec...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$120K - $140K *
Architect data solutions by leveraging 10+ years of experience in Databricks and SQL. Collaborate with stakeholders to analyze requirements, generate reports, and troubleshoot discrepancies, ensuring...
Yesterday
Full Stack Engineer (Go and React)
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by developing innovative cloud-native applications that drive next-gen conversational AI solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable backend services and...
Yesterday
Security Engineer, Detection & Response
$110K - $130K *
Champion our security posture by designing and automating detection and response systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance incident response and improve security practices, ensuring...
1 week ago
Full Stack Software Engineer - Open Core Ventures
$110K - $130K *
Develop innovative web applications and AI-enhanced tools to streamline workflows, supporting the launch of up to 100 companies monthly. Contribute to open source projects and enhance internal systems...
4 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead the evolution of cloud and DevOps solutions, driving automation and best practices while enhancing software delivery efficiency and reliability for impactful global initiatives...
4 weeks ago
Senior Product Marketing Manager
$120K - $145K *
Oversee go-to-market execution for diverse product suite, driving initiatives and sales enablement. Transition to 0-1 product ownership, guiding products from definition through launch, with a clear p...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Thermal Performance Engineer, Heat Balance - Kiewit Power Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Lead thermal performance analysis for power plants, modeling cycles, conducting tests, and collaborating with teams to ensure optimal performance and compliance with project requirements. Occasional t...
2 weeks ago
Protection & Controls Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead Protection & Controls projects from kickoff to closeout, ensuring high-quality engineering deliverables and effective customer coordination. Collaborate with teams to manage project risks and del...
Today
Customer Quality Engineer (H/F)
$80K - $95K *
Transform customer satisfaction by leading quality analysis and improvement projects. Collaborate with diverse teams across multiple sites to ensure product excellence and responsiveness to client nee...
3 weeks ago
Technical Product Manager (Spectrum Dominance)
$180K - $220K *
Innovate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on translating complex defense requirements into actionable software features, driving product adoption and revenue growth in the Spectrum Domina...
3 days ago
$98K - $164K *
Unlock potential by leading power system engineering efforts to design innovative electrification solutions for EHV/HV substations, ensuring project execution success and maximizing business developme...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$104K - $170K *
Lead the charge in managing complex power systems studies projects for mission critical facilities, ensuring accurate execution, budget adherence, and client satisfaction while collaborating with inte...
Reposted 1 month ago
Controls Engineer - Lifecycle Services
$68K - $187K *
Support and enhance client systems by providing technical expertise, leading installations, and troubleshooting mechanical and electrical equipment. Collaborate with teams for continuous improvement a...
2 weeks 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.