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.
Hardware Engineer - Project Execution
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to design innovative hardware solutions, ensuring project success through collaboration and technical expertise. Contribute to cost-effective designs while enhancing manufacturing...
Today
Hardware Engineer - Project Execution
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by applying your hardware engineering expertise to design innovative solutions that meet customer needs. Collaborate across teams to enhance project execution and drive continuous...
Today
Hardware Engineer - Project Execution
$80K - $95K *
Engineer innovative hardware solutions by collaborating across teams to deliver high-quality designs and optimize project execution, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and enhancing manufac...
Today
Sr Software Engineer, Embedded Test Automation
$169K - $195K *
Empower the development of cutting-edge automation for embedded systems in medical robotics. This role involves designing test infrastructure, creating automated tools, and collaborating across teams...
1 week ago
$79K - $147K *
Shape the future of strategic defense by leading engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet performance and budget goa...
Yesterday
$110K - $135K *
Engage in the development of cutting-edge quantum devices for navigation and communications. This dynamic R&D role requires a versatile engineer skilled in optical, electrical, and vacuum systems, rea...
4 days ago
Design Release Engineer - Exterior Launch
$80K - $95K *
Empower the future of automotive excellence by providing crucial onsite support for Exterior vehicle system launches, enhancing quality and readiness in a dynamic environment...
3 weeks ago
$126K - $172K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative robotic automation systems, focusing on custom tooling and intelligent solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to navigate complexities and deliver s...
4 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer - New Technologies
$79K - $118K *
Contribute to innovative electrical engineering solutions, designing and testing cutting-edge systems. Engage with diverse teams to transform ideas into prototypes and set project trajectories through...
Reposted 1 week ago
$92K - $110K *
Transform engineering projects by leading a multidisciplinary team to design, analyze, and verify mechanical systems. Collaborate with sales, manufacturing, and project management to meet specificatio...
2 weeks ago
Research Engineer - RL Infrastructure
$150K - $350K *
Drive the development of cutting-edge AI infrastructure to enhance large-scale reinforcement learning and distributed training systems, optimizing performance and efficiency across various layers and...
2 days ago
Staff Engineer, Electrical Integration & Test (R5204)
$180K - $280K *
Drive the design and development of advanced test systems for cutting-edge UAV technology. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and performance in extreme environments, while mentoring junio...
1 week ago
$130K - $150K *
Shape the future of spacecraft power systems by leading the design and development of high-voltage electronics for innovative orbital projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to prototype, test, and...
Today
$121K - $182K *
Unlock potential by designing and validating innovative algorithms across diverse domains, enhancing systems in networking, data fusion, and electronic warfare. Collaborate with experts to tackle real...
1 week ago
Sr Scientist, Biomaterials R&D
$109K - $174K *
Join a team that's advancing biomaterials research to develop innovative medical devices. Leverage your expertise in materials science and chemistry to support product life-cycles and collaborate acro...
5 days ago
$110K - $125K *
Optimize product development through cross-functional collaboration, research, and customer insights. Lead roadmap prioritization, define user experiences, and ensure quality outcomes while leveraging...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Research Engineer - Environments, Data and Post-Training
$150K - $180K *
Join us as a Research Scientist to innovate in ML post-training methods, driving evaluation and training approaches that shape model behavior and enhance AI capabilities, collaborating with experts to...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Sr Advanced Electrical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Engineer innovative analog/mixed-signal circuits for Space applications. Collaborate with suppliers, perform testing and analysis, and apply electrical engineering principles to ensure reliability and...
3 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of high-speed connector technology. As a Product Development Engineer, you'll collaborate across disciplines to design innovative solutions that meet evolving ind...
2 weeks ago
Senior Design Release Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Lead the design and release of automotive control units, collaborating across teams to meet technical and commercial requirements, ensuring product integrity and compliance with industry standards, wh...
3 weeks ago
$78K - $150K *
Manage the development and integration of mechanical and electrical systems while diagnosing machine failures. Provide mentorship, project oversight, and technical support to ensure efficient product...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Help us drive innovation as a Senior Applications Engineer, providing technical leadership and support for semiconductor test systems. Collaborate with customers to deliver tailored solutions and ensu...
2 weeks ago
$79K - $94K *
Elevate manufacturing processes by providing engineering support, optimizing operations, and leading safety initiatives. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive continuous improvement and innovation i...
Today
$87K - $107K *
Build innovative manufacturing processes to lead complex projects, enhance safety, and reduce defects. Collaborate cross-functionally and leverage expertise in engineering to drive improvements and ac...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Redefine engineering excellence by executing complex tasks in electronics manufacturing, optimizing Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) and fostering improvement initiatives within a collaborative team env...
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.