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.
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by leading multidisciplinary engineering design projects. You'll manage budgets, schedules, and technical challenges while mentoring teams and developing robust electrical systems...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive the technical development and proposal process for aerospace tooling and automation solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate customer needs into executable proposals, enha...
2 days ago
$130K - $160K *
Engineer cutting-edge healthcare AI models, optimizing user experience and efficiency. Lead impactful initiatives, collaborating with peers to enhance core platform functionalities while ensuring high...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Development Engineer - Liquid Cooling
$85K - $140K *
Drive the design and development of innovative liquid cooling solutions for high-density I/O connectors, enhancing thermal management in AI and ML platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to...
2 days ago
Electronics Design Engineer (BT-26085)
$110K - $130K *
Elevate the field of electronics design by leading innovative projects, collaborating with engineers, and ensuring robust systems comply with industry standards for space exploration environments...
Reposted 1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Take ownership of manufacturing processes by optimizing production methods, ensuring quality, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance efficie...
4 days ago
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
$62K - $237K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative mechanical solutions for rugged environments, overseeing the full design cycle from concept to delivery. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to tackle com...
1 week ago
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
$62K - $237K *
Invent innovative mechanical solutions to complex challenges, guiding projects from concept to delivery. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and prototype state-of-the-art systems for a...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by providing engineering support for complex systems integration, ensuring compliance with standards while managing interfaces and user requirements. Collaborate on assessments and te...
4 days ago
Design Engineer 3 - Chicago, IL - USA
$95K - $115K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and development of complex AV systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure high-quality solutions that meet client needs while mentoring junior engineers and...
1 week ago
$115K - $170K *
Join our team to design and validate innovative mechanical systems for UAS. Collaborate across functions, enhancing product performance while staying informed on cutting-edge engineering advancements...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Chief Engineer (Principal Engineer)
$180K - $220K *
Take ownership of a critical AI domain, architecting systems and directly coding. Collaborate with a shared leadership team, driving impactful outcomes while shaping the technical future of a profitab...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$76K - $114K *
Advance your engineering career by developing, validating, and debugging PCIe switches and NVMe controllers while mentoring junior engineers and enhancing laboratory testing capabilities in a collabor...
3 weeks ago
Internal Acceleration, Research Engineer (ASIC)
$150K - $400K *
Shape the future of AI-driven hardware by collaborating with founders and the ASIC team to develop innovative agents and systems that enhance engineering workflows and solve critical challenges in a f...
5 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Deliver innovative test solutions for semiconductor systems, leading technical engagements and ensuring seamless integration. Collaborate with customers to optimize designs and drive successful implem...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to ensure high-quality aerospace products through proactive quality assurance, process improvement, and customer collaboration. Drive corrective actions and compliance while supporting...
Reposted 4 days ago
$138K - $165K *
Advance your career by leading the architectural evolution of PMIC and mixed-signal products. Drive the full development lifecycle, mentor engineers, and collaborate with customers to create innovativ...
5 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Grow expertise in advanced BAS applications while mentoring peers, troubleshooting complex systems, and supporting projects throughout their lifecycle to drive success and foster innovation in buildin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$79K - $119K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop innovative packaging solutions, ensuring product protection and compliance with specifications. Collaborate on structural concepts and manage documentation wh...
Yesterday
Hardware Engineer, (Defense & Aerospace, North Reading, MA)
$111K - $178K *
Unlock potential by designing and developing advanced test instrumentation for Defense and Aerospace. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust, manufacturable hardware solutions that m...
1 week ago
Hardware Engineer, (Defense & Aerospace, North Reading, MA)
$111K - $178K *
Engineer innovative hardware solutions by leading PCB design and development efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, manufacturable products that meet stringent defens...
1 week ago
Staff Engineer - Manufacturing Engineering
$89K - $148K *
Drive manufacturing excellence by leading engineering projects, optimizing processes, and ensuring compliance in a regulated environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product qua...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining product innovation by integrating electromechanical systems. Leverage your expertise to collaborate with engineers and designers, ensuring seamless functionality while ba...
3 weeks ago
$144K - $184K *
Join us to ensure seamless connectivity for satellite vehicles. As an RF Component Engineer, you'll oversee the lifecycle of RF components, collaborating with cross-functional teams to validate and te...
2 weeks ago
Manufacturing Engineer II - PLY Building
$91K - $128K *
Optimize manufacturing processes and support new product launches while collaborating with cross-functional teams. Drive improvements in production efficiency and quality, ensuring alignment with orga...
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.