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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$107K - $204K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of advanced materials modeling tools for gas turbine engines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes and drive innovatio...

East Hartford, CTRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$238K - $365K *

Join a team that's redefining lidar technology for autonomy products. Lead the technical strategy, collaborate with experts, and drive innovations from concept to production, ensuring performance and...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Support manufacturers by implementing solutions that enhance operational performance. Collaborate with teams to drive adoption and deliver measurable improvements, ensuring lasting value from the plat...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$128K - $153K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of technology by delivering impactful software solutions. Collaborate on innovative projects, optimize data operations, and enhance user experiences while support...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $280K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of AI in biology by leading a team to design benchmarks and enhance model performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and ensure quali...

San Francisco, CARemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$87K - $109K *

Empower the future of Quality Management Systems by leading digital transformation and validation efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance compliance and efficiency in Quality proce...

Massachusetts, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to bridge design and engineering, enhancing UI systems and creating reusable components that elevate product quality and speed. Collaborate across teams to build, evolve, and maint...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate your career with a key role supporting the global launch and technical operations of radiopharmaceuticals, driving compliance, quality initiatives, and collaboration with CDMOs while leading...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$124K - $238K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of spacecraft systems engineering. Leverage your expertise to lead cross-functional teams in developing complex spacecraft designs, ensuring compliance, and drivi...

Palo Alto, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by owning the end-to-end product surface, driving discovery, design, and migration while collaborating closely with users to solve real market problems in a dynamic healthcare environ...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$82K - $87K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing research through technology. Lead and mentor a talented group of professionals in delivering high-performance computing solutions that support innovative rese...

Indiana, USRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$150K - $180K *

Transform your career with a pivotal role in physical design, leading complex SoC implementations, optimizing performance, and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful tapeout readi...

San Jose, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$83K - $133K *

Lead customer engagement and technical design for critical power projects, ensuring quality and compliance. Collaborate across teams to resolve issues and manage multiple projects, driving successful...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by driving customer success and technical solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance client relationships, identify growth opportunities, and ensure maximum va...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$89K - $125K *

Partner with us to integrate new firms into our IT environment, managing Microsoft 365 migrations and Active Directory consolidations while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$250K - $290K *

Elevate your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategy and innovation in web3 technologies. Shape the future of decentralized systems while ensuring top-tier security and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential by driving strategic initiatives and M&A activities through in-depth research, analysis, and collaboration with senior leadership to inform corporate decisions and shape the comp...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $160K *

Join our innovative Research team to develop scalable models for speech technologies. Collaborate with experts to prototype ideas and optimize systems for efficient data management and ML workflows, a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $90K *

Oversee and coordinate complex construction projects nationwide, managing documentation, submittals, and scheduling while ensuring quality and cost control. Collaborate with project teams to deliver p...

Rockford, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$83K *

Join us to support the EVA Remote Observation Camera project by providing design, testing, and verification expertise. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot hardware and ensure project success in a d...

Houston, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Contribute to the design and analysis of vital water infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and quality. Lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and engage with clients to deliver...

Rancho Cordova, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Lead the design and analysis of water infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance and innovation. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable solutions that enhance community serv...

Oakland, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Engage in the design and analysis of vital water infrastructure projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions, ensuring compliance and quality while mentoring junior engineers...

Riverside, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Empower communities by leading innovative water infrastructure projects. As a Senior Structural Engineer, you'll design and analyze critical facilities, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance...

San Diego, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join us to design and develop secure backend services and APIs that enhance platform capabilities, drive enterprise adoption, and support innovative solutions leveraging AI and modern architecture...

Toronto, ONRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.