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.
$75K - $94K *
Innovate by leading product development for drilling fluids and additives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify market opportunities and enhance product performance, ensuring technical...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovative thermal solutions for power products, utilizing advanced simulations and engineering expertise to meet customer...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Lead product development by guiding a team through design, prototyping, and testing. Drive innovation in fluid systems while managing projects from concept to launch, ensuring quality and alignment ac...
Today
$105K - $200K *
Unlock potential by driving innovation in underwater robotics and autonomy. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and test advanced systems for Navy missions, enhancing capabilities in...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform product development through customer engagement, leading cross-functional teams and technical initiatives. Drive innovation and enhance reliability by managing the full lifecycle of complex...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive product development by collaborating with customers and R&D teams, managing full lifecycle activities from requirements to deployment while ensuring technical excellence and customer satisfactio...
Reposted 1 week ago
$300K - $350K *
Elevate brand vision by crafting a cohesive look and feel across products, marketing, and digital platforms. Collaborate with a small team to design user-centric experiences and develop features swift...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate electrical designs for groundbreaking medical products. Lead cross-functional teams in developing and enhancing devices that improve women's health, ensuring impactful contributions from conc...
5 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive innovative AI projects that enhance business processes while owning the end-to-end execution from conceptualization to launch, balancing complexity and impact in a dynamic environment...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
R&D Engineer - Dec 2026 & May 2027 Graduates
$90K - $130K *
Explore innovative 3D printing technologies and techniques while collaborating with a dynamic R&D team. Tackle complex engineering challenges and contribute to the development of next-generation print...
2 weeks ago
$117K - $172K *
Elevate semiconductor innovation by collaborating on complex inspection systems, driving high-impact solutions, and enhancing product performance through rigorous testing and analysis in a dynamic, fa...
1 week ago
R&D Engineer - Signal Processing
$121K - $265K *
Contribute to the development of advanced signal processing algorithms for autonomous underwater vehicles, supporting detection, classification, and tracking in underwater environments while collabora...
3 weeks ago
$108K - $130K *
Champion innovation by developing cutting-edge software solutions in an agile environment, collaborating with teams to enhance data operations for major financial institutions and retailers, while ens...
2 days ago
$90K - $110K *
Grow your career with hands-on R&D in developing sustainable high-performance materials. Collaborate with a dynamic team to innovate, test, and commercialize new products that meet challenging environ...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$118K - $177K *
Drive innovation in R&D for a national cyber program, leading a team to develop scalable solutions through rapid prototyping and analysis, ensuring alignment with customer needs and technical feasibil...
Yesterday
Mechanical Product development Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Develop innovative solutions by supporting R&D projects, collaborating with teams on medical product design, including CAD and FEA, while ensuring compliance with risk assessments and validations for...
3 weeks ago
R&D Product Development Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in innovative product development, transforming designs into market-ready solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver technical excellence and push industry standards in our B...
3 weeks ago
R&D Product Development Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative product development by leading design and launch efforts for Busway solutions while collaborating across teams. Ensure adherence to industry standards and deliver high-quality outc...
3 weeks ago
R&D Manager, Project Management, New Product Development
$93K - $140K *
Champion project execution and governance in Advanced Surgical R&D. Lead cross-functional teams to enhance predictability, manage risks, and drive impactful results in a fast-paced, regulated environm...
1 week ago
$83K - $93K *
Contribute to the testing and validation of innovative robotics systems, ensuring quality and reliability. Collaborate closely with engineering teams to execute test plans, document findings, and trou...
Reposted today
Research & Development Chemical Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Grow your career with a dynamic R&D team, driving innovative chemical processes to enhance productivity and efficiency. Collaborate across functions to implement breakthrough solutions in a fast-paced...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Design innovative aircraft components, ensuring compliance and manufacturability while collaborating with stakeholders to meet project timelines and deliverables in the aerospace sector...
5 days ago
$80K - $110K *
Grow your career with us as you lead design projects for US Navy test facilities, collaborating on innovative electrical solutions. Utilize AutoCAD and your engineering expertise to empower the team t...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Member of Technical Staff, Design Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Engage as a Design Engineer, bridging design and engineering to create user-centric interfaces. Architect smooth interactions within our platform while implementing a robust design system that enhance...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager - New Product Development
$120K - $145K *
Lead and mentor a dynamic engineering team in the development of innovative orthopedic products, ensuring project success through collaboration across functions and effective management of resources f...
Reposted 1 week 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.