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.
$110K - $130K *
Transform factory automation by designing and deploying advanced robotics and control systems. Collaborate with a skilled team to enhance production processes and provide real-time support for automat...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to innovative structural design and analysis of concrete products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with industry standards while enhancing pro...
2 weeks ago
Senior/Principal R&D Computer Science Engineer - Space & Flight Systems, Onsite
$117K - $235K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on developing cutting-edge embedded systems for national security. Collaborate with experts to design, integrate, and test innovative software and ha...
1 week ago
Sr. Specialist, Mechanical Design Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative mechanical designs for advanced laser systems, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to develop solutions for military applications. Drive projects from concept to completio...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Power Generation Systems
$110K - $130K *
Tackle complex mechanical challenges by designing and building advanced power-generation subsystems. Collaborate on system integration and rapid prototyping in a fast-paced environment, ensuring desig...
2 weeks ago
$250K - $280K *
Shape the future of robotics as a technical lead driving system integration and mechanical design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance, manage cost engineering, and...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$88K - $134K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing cutting-edge firmware solutions for laboratory systems in biodefense and life sciences. Collaborate with engineers to design, test, and enhance embedded syst...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of healthcare by developing innovative full-stack products. Collaborate across teams to transform complex problems into simple solutions, integrating AI for improved efficiency and us...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform operations by ensuring process reliability and safety. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance, drive continuous improvement, and uphold technology standards in chemic...
Reposted 1 week ago
Supplier Quality / Development Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of supplier quality by enhancing processes and capabilities, ensuring reliability from the ground up, and driving excellence in a regulated nuclear industry environment focused on pro...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$250K - $280K *
Advance your career by leading mechanical integration and architecture for innovative products. Drive system-level performance, collaborate cross-functionally, and set design standards in this pivotal...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Join a team that's driving product innovation in North America, leading the development of new solutions and enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate cust...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Innovate with a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge clinical AI systems. Blend research and engineering to enhance reasoning, evaluation, and data pipelines, driving improvements in healthcare AI per...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's optimizing chemical systems to enhance client operations. As a subject matter expert, you'll troubleshoot, manage maintenance, and ensure compliance while collaborating with cross-f...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $106K *
Elevate manufacturing excellence by driving process improvements, ensuring product quality, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to transition new products to production seamlessly. Champion...
4 weeks ago
Lead Design Electrical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Take ownership of electrical design processes for complex hardware systems. Drive integration and innovation while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and performance t...
Reposted 5 days ago
Staff Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing (R4968)
$155K - $230K *
Champion manufacturing excellence by leading critical processes and initiatives to enhance throughput, reduce costs, and scale operations. Collaborate across teams to implement next-gen production sys...
2 weeks ago
Staff Mechanical Engineer (22401.2)
$87K - $115K *
Unlock potential by driving innovative engineering solutions in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with diverse teams to execute projects, ensuring safety and quality standards while managing complex...
Today
$178K - $253K *
Innovate solutions by applying advanced research to real-world challenges, leveraging machine learning and software engineering to drive impactful projects from conception to execution while collabora...
1 week ago
ILUS - Sr. Product Development Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Lead product development for automated material handling systems. Manage projects, mentor team members, and collaborate across departments to create innovative, reliable, and cost-effective designs th...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Electrical)
$154K - $215K *
Empower the Supply Chain team as you drive supplier development, enhance production ramp-up, and ensure ongoing quality improvement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams while supporting critical m...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving innovative RF design solutions for national defense. As a key contributor, you'll manage the full development lifecycle of high-power RF amplifiers, enhancing performance an...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower operational excellence by leading building systems maintenance, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and enhancing tenant comfort through hands-on technical expertise in high-rise enviro...
6 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Elevate strategic R&D initiatives while leading a diverse team across locations. Drive growth opportunities with key defense and intelligence customers by managing contracts and fostering collaboratio...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Operations
$95K - $115K *
Empower product excellence by leading electrical design defect resolution. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product robustness, yield, and quality while driving corrective actions and continu...
5 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.