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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$79K - $119K *

Transform manufacturing processes by designing innovative tooling solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production efficiency and drive continuous improvement initiatives in a...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovation in optical interconnect technologies, leading the design and development of advanced solutions for high-performance computing and networking applications, while collaborating with...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$90K - $105K *

Drive development of innovative 3D printing resins for digital dentistry by conducting research, optimizing formulations, and supporting scalability while ensuring high quality and usability in a coll...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative power connector solutions through design, verification, and customer collaboration. Contribute to product development and ensure manufacturability while driving n...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovation by leading R&D efforts to develop and enhance cutting-edge technologies, processes, and products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives and mentor jun...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Pioneer innovative product development for cutlery and foodservice solutions. Lead technical initiatives, enhance product performance, and collaborate across teams to drive sustainable advancements in...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$165K - $276K *

Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions. Drive project execution from design to certification, ensuring alignment with technical...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$165K - $276K *

Champion the engineering execution of complex in-flight entertainment and connectivity projects. Lead multidisciplinary teams, develop strategies, and ensure technical solutions meet customer and qual...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Optimize vehicle software integration for advanced driving systems, ensuring conformity and uptime. Collaborate across teams to troubleshoot and enhance testing processes, while maintaining communicat...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $155K *

Shape innovative mechanical and plumbing designs, ensuring compliance with military standards while leading projects across diverse regions and enhancing engineering excellence...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $170K *

Unlock potential by enhancing enterprise processes through engineering methodologies, facilitating project teams, and ensuring integration across initiatives to drive efficiency and effectiveness in o...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$100K - $120K *

Drive robust industrial process development for defense-grade steel forgings, ensuring compliance and stability through statistical analysis, while collaborating with teams to optimize production and...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$71K - $107K *

Support manufacturing technology transfer and method validation for OTC and VMS products while ensuring compliance with GMP and GLP standards. Collaborate on analytical testing and documentation withi...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$90K - $180K *

Join a team that drives cutting-edge semiconductor development, executing experimental designs for novel fabrication methods in a dynamic environment. Enjoy autonomy and contribute to R&D processes im...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Shape the future of powertrain engineering by leading major projects, managing budgets, and ensuring quality in casting processes. Collaborate with teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet prod...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Join a dynamic team as you tackle engineering challenges, optimize resources, and drive innovation in systems design. Collaborate with experts, enhance your skills, and contribute to cutting-edge solu...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$75K - $90K *

Engage in cross-functional collaboration to drive New Product Introductions, optimize component performance, ensure quality improvements, and support engineering transitions from design to production...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$90K - $110K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing products throughout their lifecycle, integrating customer needs and engineering principles. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality solutions in a dy...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $105K *

Transform the testing landscape by developing and maintaining advanced applications, validating systems, and troubleshooting complex issues in HVAC and automation environments. Collaborate with teams...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$105K - $131K *

Transform engineering projects by leading design teams, managing deliverables, and ensuring quality standards. Collaborate across disciplines to drive project success while maintaining effective commu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Develop high-performance semiconductor assembly equipment by designing, testing, and documenting mechanical subsystems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance existing products and support...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $115K *

Transform your expertise into innovative single-use medical products, leading design from concept to launch. Collaborate across teams to ensure manufacturability and compliance, while driving continuo...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining machine learning implementation to drive impactful research and innovate within a collaborative environment. Contribute to projects, open source, and author scientific pa...

Berkeley, CARemote

3 weeks ago

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

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in designing and implementing integrated electrical and control systems. Collaborate with teams to deliver customer solutions, manage project budgets, and ensure successful startup act...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Contribute to innovative mechanical designs for power distribution systems, collaborating with engineering and manufacturing teams to meet global customer needs while ensuring compliance with safety s...

1 week 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.