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.
Software Engineer (Radar R&D and Production Focused)
$140K - $240K *
Join a dynamic team as a Mid-career Radar Software Engineer, focusing on R&D and product engineering for next-gen radar systems. Collaborate on software development, system integration, and support fo...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior/Staff Electrical Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Take ownership of the complete design lifecycle for complex electrical subsystems in an innovative autonomous robotic pharmacy system, ensuring high standards in a regulated environment while collabor...
1 week ago
Senior/Staff Electrical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Help us design innovative electrical subsystems for a groundbreaking autonomous pharmacy dispensing system, ensuring high standards in a regulated environment while leading the full lifecycle from con...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential in a high-impact role, ensuring top-tier security solutions while driving innovation in object-oriented programming and agile development practices with a focus on client satisfaction...
3 weeks ago
$104K - $192K *
Join our dynamic team to develop innovative semiconductor processes that enhance efficiency and yield. Collaborate on cutting-edge technology while making significant contributions to product developm...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$150K - $175K *
Empower product engineering excellence as a Senior Product Engineer focused on NPI of RF components. Lead a dedicated team to enhance manufacturability, yield, and reliability for advanced technologie...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Innovate cutting-edge avionics for next-gen spacesuits, supporting lunar missions. Collaborate across teams in a dynamic environment, managing design, testing, and implementation. Drive advancements i...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$105K - $135K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative nuclear project solutions, providing technical oversight for diverse projects while fostering strong stakeholder relationships and ensuring adherence to qualit...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineer (Communication Systems)
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in advancing Air Traffic Control Communication Systems through expert engineering and testing. Collaborate on operational test cases, ensuring system suitability and performance for cr...
2 days ago
Sr. Staff Thermal Design Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Seeking an experienced Thermal Engineer to lead thermal design and validation for advanced AI computing platforms, focusing on liquid cooling systems and thermal-fluid dynamics to ensure optimal perfo...
Today
Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach)
$160K - $185K *
Lead the charge in equipment engineering, balancing hands-on execution with strategic oversight to enhance manufacturing reliability and team performance in a fast-paced environment...
1 week ago
$110K - $160K *
Advance your career by collaborating with a dynamic team to develop innovative low-carbon solutions. Leverage your expertise in process engineering to support clients in their energy transition, ensur...
Today
$110K - $160K *
Shape the future of low-carbon energy solutions by leveraging your expertise in process engineering to develop innovative strategies for hydrogen and LNG production, while collaborating with clients t...
Today
$110K - $160K *
Shape innovative solutions as a Senior Process Engineer, collaborating with a dynamic team to drive low-carbon energy projects. Leverage your expertise in process modeling and design to support client...
Today
$110K - $160K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on low-carbon solutions. Collaborate with experts to develop innovative processes for hydrogen and LNG, driving impactful projects in a fast-paced...
Today
$105K - $160K *
Lead a dynamic team of process engineers to deliver innovative low-carbon solutions, focusing on hydrogen production and LNG processes. Drive technical due diligence and process modeling to support cl...
Today
$105K - $160K *
Optimize low-carbon energy solutions by collaborating with engineers to develop innovative processes for hydrogen and LNG production, ensuring technical excellence and supporting clients in their ener...
Today
$105K - $160K *
Drive innovation in low-carbon solutions as a Senior Process Engineer, collaborating with a dynamic team to optimize energy transition processes and deliver impactful results for clients in a fast-pac...
Today
$75K - $95K *
Engage in a dynamic role focusing on project engineering within heavy civil construction. Contribute to safety, quality control, and collaboration with teams for project success. Advance your career w...
4 weeks ago
$75K - $95K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team as you drive project success in heavy civil construction, ensuring safety, quality, and collaboration across various projects while enhancing your engineering expe...
4 weeks ago
$75K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading project engineering efforts in heavy civil construction. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency while fostering career growth and professional dev...
4 weeks ago
$75K - $95K *
Drive project success by ensuring quality control, equipment readiness, and milestone tracking in heavy civil construction, fostering collaboration among teams while maintaining safety and compliance...
4 weeks ago
$75K - $95K *
Drive complex infrastructure projects by overseeing construction crews and maintaining quality and safety standards while managing timelines and budgets. Open to travel assignments and hands-on work i...
1 month ago
$75K - $95K *
Lead the charge in delivering complex infrastructure projects, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency while managing on-site activities, subcontractors, and project costs across multiple regions...
1 month ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower your career by leveraging your MBSE expertise to support critical defense projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions that address complex challenges for...
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.