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.
$88K - $105K *
Join an innovative team to develop cutting-edge traffic products that enhance safety and independence for the visually impaired. Leverage your engineering skills in a collaborative environment to crea...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion innovative designs and calculations for tubular steel transmission structures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and project specifications. Collaborate with teams and clients to de...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Advance your career as a Mechanical Design Engineer, leveraging 7-8 years of automotive powertrain expertise. Collaborate on engine and transmission systems, manage projects, and ensure supplier coord...
4 days ago
Principal Engineer Manufacturing
$103K - $155K *
Champion manufacturing excellence by optimizing welding and fabrication processes for marine propulsion systems, collaborating with engineers to enhance production efficiency and sustainability while...
2 days ago
Principal Engineer Manufacturing
$89K - $134K *
Transform manufacturing processes by designing and documenting procedures, enhancing productivity, and ensuring quality for a critical national security program. Collaborate with engineering teams to...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Advance engineering solutions by managing multiple projects, ensuring technical accuracy, and collaborating with suppliers. Utilize your expertise in automotive powertrain to drive innovation and deli...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive engineering excellence by leading a team focused on product sustainment, fostering collaboration across functions, and ensuring timely project execution to enhance product quality and efficiency...
5 days ago
$95K - $100K *
Elevate quality standards by leading audits, driving continuous improvement, and collaborating across teams to ensure compliance and enhance production quality. Manage customer relationships and defin...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer innovative solutions in embedded systems, driving end-to-end development of prototype hardware. Collaborate in a dynamic team to define architectures, design systems, and enhance technologies...
3 weeks ago
$79K - $129K *
Lead innovative R&D projects in automotive systems, managing resources and timelines while driving continuous improvement and collaboration across teams to optimize manufacturing processes and ensure...
1 week ago
$95K - $105K *
Transform the testing landscape as you validate RF components and ensure optimal performance through precise electrical tests, data verification, and collaborative reporting with cross-functional team...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$95K - $105K *
Join a team that's advancing RF technology by conducting electrical tests and ensuring the quality of components. Collaborate with engineers and prepare comprehensive reports that will drive innovatio...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Engineer, Flight Sciences, Design - Ranger (R6357)
$170K - $260K *
Unlock the potential of aircraft design by leveraging your expertise in aerodynamic modeling, CFD analysis, and performance optimization. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance aircraft ef...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Take ownership of product development projects, leading technical teams through all phases from concept to production while managing risks and ensuring alignment from design to marketing...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to enhance production processes and quality controls, driving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in a high-reliability electronics environment through robust engineering...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior RF Design Engineer - Core BU
$140K - $170K *
Advance your career by leading design and development of cutting-edge RF devices, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating cross-functionally to drive high-quality product outcomes in a dynamic e...
3 weeks ago
Early Career Mechanical Design Engineer - Base Operations
$70K - $107K *
Transform the future of aerospace by designing and evaluating mechanical systems. Collaborate with engineers to ensure designs meet requirements while supporting the U.S. Air Force's Test Operations a...
2 weeks ago
Senior Research and Prototyping Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation by designing and testing prototypes in a dynamic lab environment. Collaborate with technical leads to translate experimental needs into practical hardware solutions while ensuring the...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$60K - $110K *
Unlock your potential by driving mechanical design and process innovation within a collaborative team. This role encompasses end-to-end product development, from concept through manufacturing, ensurin...
3 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer - ATE (Contractor)
$90K - $140K *
Join our innovative team to create and validate cutting-edge power electronics products. Drive the design process from concept through production while collaborating across disciplines to optimize per...
4 weeks ago
$134K - $179K *
Lead a dynamic team in engineering design, ensuring project efficiency and quality from development to closeout while exceeding client expectations and fostering staff growth...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical Engineer (Hardware Design)
$125K - $140K *
Innovate the future of electrical hardware design from concept to certification. Lead cross-disciplinary teams while taking ownership through all stages of product development, mentoring peers, and en...
4 weeks ago
Product Engineering Supervisor
$88K - $105K *
Drive product engineering excellence by leading teams in new product development, optimizing processes, and ensuring alignment across functions to enhance quality, efficiency, and scalability in manuf...
1 week ago
$70K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering high-quality engineering projects from conception to completion, ensuring accuracy and efficiency while managing resources and timelines effectively...
2 weeks ago
$70K - $95K *
Engineer innovative solutions by managing equipment design and project execution, ensuring quality and accuracy from start to finish. Collaborate effectively with teams and customers to meet project o...
3 weeks 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.