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.
$145K - $165K *
Shape the future of public infrastructure as a Senior Civil Engineer. Lead complex projects, mentor teams, and foster client relationships, while delivering innovative solutions that enhance communiti...
3 weeks ago
Senior Packaging Development Engineer I
$81K - $112K *
Contribute to innovative packaging solutions for medical devices, ensuring compliance and functionality. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance processes and drive continuous improvement in a fast...
1 week ago
Senior Packaging Development Engineer I
$81K - $112K *
Lead the charge in developing and improving packaging systems for medical devices, ensuring compliance and functionality through collaboration and technical expertise. Drive continuous improvement ini...
1 week ago
$81K - $197K *
Tackle exciting challenges in high-performance computing and electronic trading by leveraging your low-level programming expertise, driving solutions in a collaborative environment focused on innovati...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Mechanical Design
$95K - $115K *
Drive mechanical design excellence for mission-critical facilities, overseeing project execution and mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure accurate construction document...
2 days ago
Senior Packaging Development Engineer I
$81K - $112K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing packaging systems for medical devices. You'll lead projects, ensure compliance, and collaborate cross-functionally to drive innovation and continuous improvem...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower manufacturing excellence as a Process Engineer in a dynamic environment. Drive optimization and improvements in Polyimide production by leveraging your technical expertise, while collaborating...
3 weeks ago
Manufacturing & NPI Engineer (Product Data & Arena PLM)
$140K - $180K *
Transform the future of cybersecurity by architecting and delivering innovative server appliance products. Collaborate with a skilled team to ensure quality and efficiency in manufacturing processes...
6 days ago
Senior Packaging Development Engineer I
$81K - $112K *
Optimize packaging processes for medical devices by leading design, testing, and compliance initiatives. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure quality and efficiency in packaging systems, driving c...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to transforming concepts into high-quality product designs, collaborating with sales and manufacturing to ensure customer needs are met while utilizing advanced engineerin...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion the development of cutting-edge modem algorithms for our satellite communications platform, collaborating with engineers across disciplines to ensure robust integration and performance valida...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of manufacturing by leading process improvements, troubleshooting issues, and supporting production efficiency. Collaborate with teams to enhance methods, drawing accuracy, and ensure...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Design Engineer
$175K - $225K *
Unlock potential by leading electrical design and R&D for advanced aerospace hardware, ensuring robust integration of high-reliability electronics that meet rigorous performance and safety standards t...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Quality Engineer Specialist - Semiconductor / Electronics
$124K - $151K *
Unlock potential by integrating quality principles into the design and development of innovative electronic and semiconductor products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust quality...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement embedded software solutions while collaborating with hardware engineers. Your expertise will drive project success and improve product functionalities in a...
Reposted 5 days ago
RESEARCH ENGINEER - Experimental/Computational Mechanics
$88K - $105K *
Drive innovative research and testing projects in advanced materials and dynamic events. Collaborate with clients, manage tasks, and leverage technical expertise to develop solutions that meet project...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as you provide systems engineering expertise for international THAAD initiatives, ensuring seamless communication and technical support for critical defense operations while coll...
3 weeks ago
$123K - $206K *
Shape the future of medical devices by leading a dynamic team in process development for new product introductions, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards while fostering talent growth in a co...
6 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career with this hands-on role, supporting testing processes and validation in a regulated lab environment. Lead projects, mentor staff, and ensure compliance while driving innovation in...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's focused on leading engineering projects across various industries. Oversee design teams, ensure adherence to standards, and collaborate with clients for seamless execution of comple...
4 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineer (Payload Design & Integration)
$85K - $105K *
Drive innovation by supporting the design, testing, and integration of payload hardware for DoD projects. Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure project success throughout the developme...
3 weeks ago
$107K - $204K *
Join a dynamic team as a Radar Cross Section Engineer, focusing on testing, analysis, and signature-reduction for advanced aerospace systems. Leverage your expertise in RCS chamber operations and rada...
Reposted today
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as a Senior Engineer, driving product development and technical excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions while ensuring compliance with...
6 days ago
Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering
$110K - $135K *
Transform your career by leading equipment engineering projects in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production capabilities and drive innovation...
6 days ago
$130K - $141K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of airborne technologies by applying your advanced mechanical engineering expertise to develop high-performance solutions for military aircraft, ensuring mission...
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.