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 *
Explore a pivotal role in R&D, driving innovation in Medium-Voltage solutions. Collaborate with global teams to enhance product quality and compliance while contributing to IP development and project...
1 week ago
Mechanical Engineering Design Lead
$200K - $260K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of transit infrastructure by leading mechanical design for HVAC and vertical transportation systems. This senior role involves project management and technical lea...
Today
Mechanical Engineering Design Lead
$200K - $260K *
Partner with us to lead mechanical design for complex transit infrastructure projects. This senior role focuses on HVAC and vertical transportation systems, ensuring excellence in engineering and proj...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Lead the development of innovative test solutions, enhancing the semiconductor testing landscape with cutting-edge technologies and strategic customer collaboration across global teams, delivering hig...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Transform the semiconductor testing landscape by leading the development of innovative test solutions. Collaborate with global teams to architect, debug, and implement high-performance testing strateg...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's redefining analog hardware design, driving innovative mixed-signal technology from concept to silicon. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance performance and efficiency in cuttin...
Today
$120K - $150K *
Tackle complex product development projects by leading multidisciplinary teams, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and engineering standards while fostering collaboration and maintaining pr...
3 weeks ago
Electro Mechanical Design Engineer
$97K - $130K *
Lead the design and integration of complex electro-mechanical systems, focusing on automated manufacturing processes. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop innovative solutions and ensure complia...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Lead complex engineering projects from concept to completion, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence. Collaborate cross-functionally, mentor junior engineers, and drive design compliance while...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the technical execution of advanced electro-optical systems, driving complex projects from design to delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve technical challenges and ensure inn...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Empower the future of engineering by leading complex projects, ensuring design quality, and mentoring a dedicated team to achieve excellence within budget and timelines while fostering collaboration a...
4 weeks ago
Staff Engineer, Supply Chain (R6215)
$170K - $260K *
Lead the charge in enhancing supplier performance through strategic development, quality assurance, and process improvement in the aerospace sector, ensuring timely delivery and cost efficiency while...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical engineering projects, conducting system studies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovati...
2 days ago
Engineer, Rotating Equipment Reliability
$80K - $95K *
Drive reliability improvements in rotating equipment by identifying issues, developing action plans, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance safety, quality, and performance in a dyna...
1 week ago
$167K - $209K *
Innovate mechanical design and integration for ruggedized sensor systems and avionics. Lead product lifecycle from concept to production, tackling complex challenges across aerospace and defense appli...
Yesterday
$120K - $140K *
Drive new machinery development by creating innovative concepts and prototypes. Lead technical projects from inception to testing, collaborate with teams to enhance efficiency, and mentor peers in bes...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $150K *
Innovate mechanical systems from concept to deployment, collaborating with a dynamic team to tackle challenges in mechatronics and robotics, ensuring scalable manufacturing and effective design soluti...
2 weeks ago
$93K - $134K *
Drive the design and development of electromechanical systems for naval platforms, ensuring reliability and performance in demanding environments. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver m...
1 week ago
Principal Optical Engineer - 3
$108K - $162K *
Shape the future of optical engineering by designing and analyzing advanced imaging systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-performance optical solutions for critical aerospac...
5 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Shape the future of aviation safety by developing electrical test plans and managing certification projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance while...
Reposted 6 days ago
Staff Electrical Engineer - New Technologies
$152K - $229K *
Innovate robust electrical solutions by leading design, testing, and prototyping of cutting-edge electronic assemblies and circuits in a dynamic, collaborative environment that drives key weapon syste...
Reposted 1 week ago
$73K - $120K *
Champion the optimization of manufacturing processes in advanced satellite communications, driving efficiency and quality through innovative design and strategic planning while ensuring a seamless tra...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Load Integration & Model Development
$175K - $210K *
Join a team that's innovating the future of energy by integrating large-load facilities into the electric grid, solving complex challenges, and ensuring reliable power supply for high-performance comp...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $140K *
Drive innovation in electrical design across diverse sectors, overseeing projects from concept to execution. Engage with clients, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with safety standards w...
Yesterday
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing complex electrical systems for DoD projects. Collaborate with clients and manage project scopes while ensuring compliance with industry standards and regu...
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.