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.
$110K - $130K *
Advance your career by designing and refining laser diode fabrication processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance device performance and reliability, driving innovation in emerging m...
1 week ago
Chief Engineer, Long-Range Missile Systems
$220K - $300K *
Lead the technical direction of a long-range missile program, overseeing multidisciplinary teams from concept to production. Drive system architecture, integration, and flight testing while ensuring m...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower innovative building designs by leading mechanical engineering teams. Drive the design of HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection systems across diverse sectors, ensuring high-quality deliverables...
1 week ago
$110K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining building solutions by leading mechanical designs for diverse sectors. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to create innovative systems and ensure high-quality proje...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $160K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of mechanical engineering by leading the design of innovative mechanical systems for diverse building sectors. Collaborate with architects and engineers to produce...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Seeking a proactive Test Engineer to lead integration and verification of software products, ensuring compliance with specifications through automated and manual testing. Collaborate within R&D to enh...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Dielectric Materials Development and Analysis
$120K - $145K *
Innovate advanced ceramic and dielectric materials for high-voltage environments. Lead projects from concept to production, balancing technical challenges with program delivery in a multidisciplinary...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of coffee technology by leading innovative mechanical design, prototyping, and manufacturing readiness, while embracing diverse engineering challenges in a fast-paced startup environm...
3 weeks ago
Technical Development Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Drive technical excellence by developing detailed plans for manufacturing, optimizing processes, and managing cross-functional teams to enhance product development and operational efficiency, while en...
Reposted today
$70K - $95K *
Empower innovation by leading quoting projects for advanced packaging systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver accurate cost reports, technical proposals, and system designs that...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by managing engineering tasks and coordinating project activities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success while developing your skills in a dynamic envir...
4 days ago
$80K - $100K *
Transform structural designs for varied projects, ensuring innovative solutions and excellence from concept to construction in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment...
Reposted 1 week ago
Applied Research Engineer, Chip Design
$192K - $356K *
Champion innovative solutions in ASIC design by applying LLMs and agentic systems. Collaborate effectively to enhance engineering productivity and accelerate progress, pushing boundaries from research...
Reposted 1 week ago
$142K - $161K *
Join our team to support the architecture and development of embedded systems for autonomous vehicles, enhancing integration between hardware and software in a hands-on production environment. Make an...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Manufacturing/Production Engineer - Space Electronics
$110K - $160K *
Take ownership of manufacturing processes for space electronics, ensuring compliance with AS9100 standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production efficiency and quality while p...
2 weeks ago
$116K - $143K *
Deliver innovative engineering solutions to enhance asset performance, safety, and reliability. Lead projects, solve complex technical issues, and foster a culture of continuous improvement in a dynam...
1 week ago
$207K - $300K *
Join a team that's pioneering research in machine learning and robotics. Lead innovative projects focused on uncertainty estimation and automated system diagnosis, driving advancements in adaptive per...
1 week ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Fuel Systems Design
$110K - $130K *
Champion innovative fuel system designs for aviation, port, and railyard projects. Leverage your expertise in mechanical engineering to deliver high-quality solutions while collaborating with multidis...
Yesterday
$95K - $234K *
Champion the management of multi-disciplinary teams in nuclear fuel experimentation, ensuring project milestones and quality standards are met while fostering collaboration with national and internati...
3 weeks ago
$62K - $99K *
Join a team that's committed to delivering innovative construction solutions while supporting engineering projects through collaboration, technical analysis, and hands-on fieldwork. Ideal for recent g...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing innovative software solutions. As a full-stack developer, you'll design, build, and maintain applications while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver i...
2 weeks ago
Principal Manufacturing Engineer- Payloads
$181K - $232K *
Elevate manufacturing processes for mission-critical payload systems, ensuring quality and precision in assembly. Collaborate with design teams and customers to translate requirements into executable...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Engineer innovative electrical systems and components, leading projects that enhance safety and efficiency. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality solutions while mentoring junior engineers an...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of production by resolving technical challenges to meet quality and productivity targets in a dynamic automotive manufacturing environment, while collaborating with engineers and lead...
Reposted today
$120K - $200K *
Engineer innovative solutions across the stack, enhancing user experience and scaling systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality product features using cutting-edge techn...
3 days 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.