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.
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by providing engineering analysis and design support for complex projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure product quality and compliance while applying innovative solutions in a...
5 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team focused on advancing manufacturing excellence through engineering leadership, process optimization, and capital project management to drive improvements in safety, quality, and ope...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $100K *
Lead the charge in optimizing engineering processes within manufacturing to enhance efficiency. Collaborate across teams to design, implement, and validate equipment and tooling, driving continuous im...
1 month ago
Senior Process Engineer - Liquid Systems
$100K - $120K *
Champion the design and execution of innovative liquid processing systems in the food and beverage sector, managing projects from scope to delivery while collaborating with diverse teams and mentoring...
Yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Contribute to innovative design solutions for medium- and low-voltage systems, ensuring quality and compliance in electrical engineering projects within aerospace applications as a Principal Engineer...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $100K *
Engineer innovative aerospace components by translating requirements into qualified designs. Collaborate with teams to create detailed CAD models and documentation, ensuring compliance with industry s...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Build innovative embedded systems for cutting-edge ultrasound technology. Partner with engineers to design, validate, and optimize performance, supporting a regulated environment and driving product d...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of ultrasound technology. This role involves designing and integrating embedded systems, optimizing performance, and ensuring regulatory compliance through ri...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Take ownership of developing innovative embedded systems for cutting-edge ultrasound technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal system integration and performance while ad...
1 month ago
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by driving continuous improvement and maintenance of neuro-diagnostics equipment. Collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to enhance product reliability and performance while...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Transform the future of automation by leading complex electrical design projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions in industrial automation, ensuring high perfor...
Yesterday
Senior Research and Development (R&D) Chemist
$100K - $125K *
Drive innovation in chemical research by leading product development and feasibility studies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, scalable solutions are transitioned from l...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineer
$80K - $140K *
Transform the future of aerospace by leading the design and manufacturing of groundbreaking thermal protection systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and compliance, optimi...
Reposted 1 week ago
$88K - $110K *
Accelerate progress at our manufacturing site by optimizing operations, enhancing quality, and driving cost efficiency. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues and implement improvements for saf...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the future of maritime technology by designing and integrating advanced electrical systems for sensing platforms, ensuring robust performance and collaboration across engineering teams...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead software development for robot testing and evaluation, driving team priorities and execution. Collaborate closely with hardware and engineering teams to enhance testing infrastructure and analyze...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Manage the design, fabrication, and operation of test infrastructures for spaceflight hardware, ensuring rigorous testing and data analysis through all development phases. Collaborate with engineers t...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Empower the future of hydropower by delivering innovative mechanical engineering solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and implement projects that enhance water resources and i...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Join our dynamic Hydropower and Water Resources team as an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer, contributing to innovative projects from design to commissioning, while collaborating with multidisciplinar...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Transform hydropower and water resources projects by leveraging your mechanical engineering expertise. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design, analyze, and support innovative solutions fro...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Innovate within the Hydropower and Water Resources team, contributing to mechanical engineering design and analysis for hydropower projects. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure project success fr...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Elevate your career by joining our Hydropower and Water Resources team, where you'll design and analyze mechanical systems for hydropower projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to delive...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Explore a rewarding opportunity as an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer, contributing to hydropower and water resources projects from design to commissioning while collaborating with multidisciplinary...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Unlock your potential as an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer, contributing to hydropower and water resources projects from design to commissioning. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor...
6 days ago
Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro
$130K - $180K *
Shape innovative solutions by leveraging your mechanical engineering expertise in hydropower and water resources projects, guiding them from design to operation while collaborating with multidisciplin...
6 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.