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.
Manager, Design Development Engineering, R&D
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in R&D by leading product development and mentoring engineers. This role emphasizes organizational growth, technical excellence, and collaboration to elevate engi...
4 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Advance your career by owning the optical subsystem design and integration for high-power directed energy systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions in a fast-p...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$160K - $220K *
Join a collaborative team to own and elevate the web presence through design and interactive experiences, ensuring brand consistency and performance while utilizing modern frameworks and technologies...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$121K - $195K *
Unlock potential by designing and delivering high-performance electronic products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a dynamic environment, owning all aspects of hardware design from developm...
Today
$80K - $95K *
Drive project success and customer satisfaction as you lead R&D initiatives, manage projects from concept to commercialization, and foster strong relationships with sales and technical teams to ensure...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of AI with innovative research and engineering in reinforcement learning. Collaborate on high-impact projects to develop models that enhance human-computer interaction and autonomy. D...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Empower your career by tackling complex challenges in product engineering. Join a dynamic team where your innovative solutions will shape the future of recruiting technology and drive impactful outcom...
6 days ago
New Product Development Engineer
$95K - $110K *
Transform mechanical plumbing product concepts into manufacturable solutions. Lead cross-functional teams through design, prototyping, testing, and commercialization, ensuring performance, cost, and q...
6 days ago
Senior Engineer - Electrical & Electronics Product & Process Technologies
$110K - $130K *
Advance automotive innovation by leading the development of cutting-edge electrical and electronic systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance manufacturability and drive technology from concept to p...
6 days ago
Research Scientist, Simulation
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing robotic locomotion and manipulation through advanced simulation techniques. Own the full pipeline from real-world reconstruction to synthetic data generation, enabli...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate production efficiency by developing work instructions and designing test fixtures. This role requires translating engineering designs into manufacturable processes within a fast-paced satellit...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join us to lead product design efforts across platforms, crafting high-quality visuals and interactions that enhance user experiences and drive product growth. Collaborate on innovative projects while...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$150K - $200K *
Design and optimize avionics and control systems for aircraft, ensuring integration and testing excellence. Collaborate on innovative solutions while leading engineering activities and supporting syst...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing project delivery and operational excellence. Lead capital and expense projects, collaborating with diverse teams to improve safety, reliability, and profitabi...
1 week ago
$110K - $140K *
Elevate your career as a Senior Project Engineer, leading complex projects, mentoring teams, and ensuring technical excellence while fostering strong client relationships and meeting project objective...
3 weeks ago
Senior Research & Development Test Engineer - Onsite
$115K - $172K *
Drive the development of innovative therapeutic solutions by leading verification and validation activities for medical devices. Collaborate across functions to ensure compliance and performance meets...
Reposted 1 week ago
$86K - $129K *
Contribute to innovative R&D efforts by designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, and developing new technologies to drive strategic growth and enhance product offerings in priority markets...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in developing manufacturable designs from concept to production, driving high-quality solutions. This role thrives in collaboration, mentoring, and delivering innovative engineering re...
Reposted 2 days ago
$95K - $120K *
Lead the charge in structural engineering projects, enhancing design execution, fostering client relationships, and mentoring while advancing technical and leadership skills for long-term career growt...
Reposted yesterday
$161K - $241K *
Transform advanced tool design and structural optimization by leading a dynamic engineering team. Drive excellence through mentorship, compliance, and collaboration, ensuring innovative solutions meet...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Manage the lifecycle of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, enhancing reliability and performance. Lead troubleshooting efforts, support continuous improvement initiatives, and provide technical gu...
2 weeks ago
$89K - $149K *
Lead a dynamic team to develop innovative digital products that enhance customer experiences through cutting-edge technologies, including AI/ML, IoT, and cloud solutions, while setting standards for n...
4 days ago
$89K - $149K *
Empower our team to innovate and build transformative digital products that enhance customer experiences through cutting-edge technologies, spanning from embedded systems to AI/ML solutions...
4 days ago
$89K - $149K *
Lead a distributed team to develop innovative digital products that enhance customer experiences through advanced technologies, including AI/ML, IoT, and cloud solutions, while setting standards for n...
4 days ago
$131K - $218K *
Empower innovation in laser interferometry as you lead software development for precision measurement systems, collaborating cross-functionally to enhance semiconductor manufacturing with cutting-edge...
3 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.