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.
$95K - $115K *
Optimize the development of engineered components for submarine applications by collaborating with Navy and supplier teams while managing technical documentation and project oversight. Play a vital ro...
Reposted 1 week ago
Sr. Design Engineer - New Product Development Engineering
$90K - $110K *
Engineer innovative designs for outdoor power equipment from concept to production, ensuring manufacturability, compliance, and quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver production-r...
1 month ago
$85K - $117K *
Champion innovative fiber optic cable development by leading cross-functional teams, optimizing processes, and delivering solutions that enhance manufacturing capabilities and meet customer needs...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Neurosurgical R&D
$77K - $129K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of medical technology by designing innovative electrical systems for neurosurgical devices. Leverage your expertise in a collaborative R&D environment to drive im...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Develop reinforcement learning environments to enhance model training and evaluation. Collaborate with researchers and engineers to translate real tasks into computational challenges, ensuring reliabl...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate by building reinforcement learning environments that empower researchers to train models effectively. Collaborate with experts to translate real tasks into computational challenges, ensuring...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer / PM
$110K - $150K *
Empower client relationships and lead project teams to deliver innovative mechanical engineering solutions. Oversee project milestones and drive performance efficiencies while ensuring technical excel...
Reposted 2 days ago
Product Development Engineering Specialist
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovative medical device designs, mentor engineers, and ensure compliance while delivering projects on time and within budget, enhancing quality and innovation in product development...
5 days ago
Manufacturing Project Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Elevate manufacturing excellence by leading project engineering efforts for new model launches. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure timely execution and production readiness in a dynamic automoti...
5 days ago
$100K - $130K *
Drive innovation in medical device manufacturing by optimizing catheter and balloon processes. Leverage your expertise to enhance production efficiency, mentor engineers, and ensure compliance with in...
2 weeks ago
Senior Thermal Systems Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Lead thermal system design and validation for cutting-edge electronic systems. Oversee technical decisions and mentor junior engineers across product lifecycles, ensuring performance and compliance. D...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Transform user safety by studying risks and redesigning product flows. Partner with cross-functional teams to integrate behavioral insights into security and trust initiatives, ultimately reducing har...
3 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$130K - $160K *
Lead initiatives to redesign product flows and enhance safety by analyzing user behavior and risk patterns. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement risk-reducing changes and measure impac...
3 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Optimize user trust by redesigning behaviors that reduce risk on our platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement effective security measures, paving the path for safer and more secu...
3 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Shape user trust and safety by integrating behavioral design strategies to reduce risk. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate product flows and enhancements that prioritize security, ult...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $165K *
Drive innovation in robotics software development, integrating AI and simulation technologies to enhance production environments. Collaborate globally in an Agile setting, leveraging your expertise to...
2 days ago
STAFF Power Integrity R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER
$145K - $180K *
Drive innovation in power integrity solutions for high-speed data communication. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to design, validate, and implement cutting-edge power distribution systems fo...
5 days ago
Engineer, Advanced Packaging Development - Design Enablement & Layout
$95K - $115K *
Empower innovation by developing advanced packaging design rules and test structures. Collaborate across teams to enhance semiconductor processes, analyze data for insights, and leverage AI to streaml...
1 week ago
$250K - $350K *
Lead the charge in developing comprehensive data strategies to enhance research efforts. Collaborate with researchers to source, integrate, and maintain diverse datasets crucial for training models an...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - (Electrical)
$140K - $189K *
Elevate electrical engineering standards by leading critical infrastructure projects, ensuring reliable operations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance safety and efficiency in a...
Yesterday
Senior Product Development Engineer
$95K - $143K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative product development and optimization projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive growth and ensure regulatory compliance in a dynamic R&D envir...
6 days ago
Electrical Engineer III, Design Assurance
$136K - $191K *
Execute circuit board validation and testing, ensuring design integrity through hands-on analysis and automation. Collaborate with engineers to enhance product development and reliability across vario...
Yesterday
$68K - $115K *
Join a team that leads custom-engineered projects, ensuring technical coordination and customer communication from contract through delivery. Balance engineering judgment with strong client relationsh...
Reposted 4 days ago
$68K - $115K *
Manage custom-engineered projects from award to delivery, ensuring compliance with specifications and coordination among teams. Leverage engineering judgment and customer skills to meet project scope...
Reposted 4 days ago
$82K - $137K *
Transform electrical systems management by supporting operations, maintenance, and project execution for power distribution and emergency systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance reliability and e...
Today
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.