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.
$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
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
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
$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
$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
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading advanced electrical engineering projects, designing and implementing innovative systems that enhance safety and efficiency. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality s...
Today
Software Engineer (Radar R&D and Production Focused)
$140K - $240K *
Drive innovation in radar software engineering and R&D while collaborating on transformative technologies for next-gen radar products. Contribute to system integration and support deployed capabilitie...
Reposted 5 days ago
$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
$62K - $140K *
Grow your career with diverse technical challenges as you collaborate with senior engineers to define, analyze, and document system requirements for multi-domain national security programs, leveraging...
3 weeks ago
$62K - $140K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of national security through innovative systems engineering. Collaborate with experienced engineers to define and document requirements, while applying foundation...
3 weeks ago
$62K - $140K *
Collaborate with engineers to define and document system requirements while gaining hands-on experience in model-based engineering and technical design to support multi-domain national security progra...
3 weeks ago
$145K - $165K *
Drive complex failure analysis and testing strategies for high-performance DRAM modules. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance reliability and performance, mentoring junior engineers whil...
Reposted 1 week ago
Electrical / Embedded Engineer 3
$99K - $220K *
Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge electronic solutions for advanced applications, focusing on wireless sensor devices and robotics. Enhance team expertise while creating reliable electronic d...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Pioneer innovative electrical designs and product development, leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions. Engage in prototyping, testing, integration, and troubleshooting to pus...
3 weeks ago
$155K - $205K *
Shape the future of robotics by designing efficient systems infrastructure for AI-driven applications, optimizing low-latency pipelines, and collaborating across teams to enhance performance from edge...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$102K - $163K *
Transform complex engineering challenges into innovative solutions for superconducting magnets in medical devices. Leverage your expertise to enhance product performance, ensure compliance, and drive...
Today
$93K - $134K *
Lead the design and development of mechanical systems for DoD programs, ensuring feasibility and compliance with specifications. Collaborate on technical documentation and support system integration t...
1 week ago
$128K - $176K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in healthcare by leading complex projects that enhance patient outcomes. Collaborate across functions to deliver impactful solutions and navigate challenges in a...
1 week ago
Mechanical Engineer, Precision Systems
$130K - $200K *
Contribute to precision machine design by rapidly prototyping and building advanced mechanical systems for semiconductor fabrication, ensuring accuracy at the nanometer scale while collaborating with...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineer, Precision Systems
$130K - $200K *
Transform the future of semiconductor technology by designing and prototyping cutting-edge precision mechanical systems. Collaborate in a fast-paced environment to deliver innovative solutions that me...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$98K - $148K *
Advance operational excellence by leading manufacturing improvements, optimizing resource management, and enhancing process designs. Collaborate with teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives...
Yesterday
$100K - $122K *
Drive operational excellence by optimizing manufacturing workflows and capacity planning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product flow and implement lean methodologies, ensuring eff...
5 days ago
Senior Supplier Development Engineer (R5487)
$110K - $130K *
Empower supplier success through specialized engineering expertise, enhancing performance, quality, and delivery in the aerospace sector. Collaborate on new designs and streamline the onboarding proce...
1 month 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.