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.
Staff Engineer, Fluid and Mechanical Systems (RX) (R6000)
$142K - $214K *
Partner with us to innovate fluid and mechanical systems for advanced UAVs. Engage in hands-on design, analysis, and integration to enhance aircraft performance and reliability while rapidly transitio...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Product Development Engineer
$94K - $129K *
Lead innovative mechanical design solutions in product development, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive projects from concept to production. Empower your career by shaping the future of...
Reposted 1 week ago
$140K - $190K *
Advance your career by designing cutting-edge RF subsystems for innovative products. Collaborate with a talented team to enhance performance and ensure compliance, while tackling complex engineering c...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer - RSD Planning and Coordination
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your engineering career by leading complex projects and teams, utilizing your expertise in engineering principles to drive innovative solutions and foster effective relationships across multip...
Reposted 1 week ago
$115K - $135K *
Elevate product innovation by designing electromechanical systems from concept to production. Manage cross-functional teams to deliver customer-specific solutions in a dynamic environment, ensuring qu...
3 weeks ago
Staff Product Development Engineer - Industrials
$124K - $171K *
Join a dynamic team as a key contributor in driving innovative product development, overseeing projects from concept to production while collaborating across functional areas to ensure high-quality ou...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Take ownership of end-to-end system development on enterprise technology platforms. Collaborate with teams to enhance product presence, oversee technical processes, and ensure efficient project delive...
Reposted 4 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Champion end-to-end system development and maintenance on enterprise platforms. Lead cross-functional teams, enhance web product presence, and drive technical solutions while ensuring efficient projec...
1 week ago
Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer
$92K - $174K *
Join a team that's redefining battery technology for underwater vehicles. You'll develop and test advanced battery systems, collaborating with diverse experts to drive innovations that support nationa...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer
$92K - $174K *
Shape the future of underwater electric propulsion by designing and testing innovative battery systems. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance performance and safety, while driving advancements...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's delivering innovative spacecraft components. In this role, you'll design, prototype, and validate mechanical systems under tight deadlines while ensuring reliability and functionali...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $115K *
Develop and coordinate detailed designs for mission-critical telecommunications systems, ensuring compliance with project requirements. Engage in RFI processes and produce construction drawings using...
5 days ago
$71K - $104K *
Innovate in product engineering by enhancing design, manufacturability, and reliability. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, manage changes, and deliver projects on time, ensuring quality a...
1 week ago
Engineer Packaging Level 2 OR 3
$83K - $155K *
Drive innovative packaging solutions across programs, ensuring compliance with specifications and quality standards. Collaborate with teams to manage design, documentation, and implementation of effec...
5 days ago
$75K - $156K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop software infrastructure for national security programs, utilizing programming and container technologies. Collaborate effectively while driving innovative sol...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $156K *
Join a dynamic team dedicated to developing innovative software solutions for national security. Collaborate with experts, enhance your skills in modern technologies, and tackle challenging problems i...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $156K *
Innovate software-centric infrastructure for national security programs, applying foundational engineering skills in Python and Java. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance cloud-native...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical design projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions, and mentoring junior engineers while ensuring robust, manufacturab...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform the future of sensing hardware by validating and improving core electrical blocks. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, reduce power consumption, and streamline designs from prot...
Today
$70K - $95K *
Engineer innovative HVAC solutions as part of a dynamic team. Leverage your engineering expertise to drive design, analysis, and project execution while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating ac...
1 week ago
Eng-Electrical - Sr Project Engineer
$125K - $165K *
Champion the successful delivery of large-scale building projects, leading a team of engineers while enhancing design processes and ensuring quality outcomes from concept through construction...
Today
$115K - $130K *
Manage the development of mechanical documentation for next-gen quantum computers. Collaborate with engineering and supply chain teams to ensure accurate product specifications and smooth transitions...
Today
Prototype Software Test Engineer
$111K - $132K *
Pioneer innovative testing solutions by developing and maintaining software for prototype validation. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure product quality while troubleshooting Android and Linux d...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead the design and implementation of electrical systems for projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with multi-discipline teams to deliver integrated solutions in power gen...
2 weeks ago
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$250K - $300K *
Empower innovation by porting and optimizing numerical algorithms for Snapdragon platforms. Lead embedded software development, ensuring high-performance solutions while collaborating with a skilled e...
Today
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.