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.
$101K - $162K *
Drive innovation by designing and delivering high-performance electronic products. Collaborate with a skilled team to own all aspects of hardware design, from conception to production, ensuring excell...
1 week ago
Senior Thermo-Mechanical Engineer
$140K - $185K *
Drive innovation in advanced heat exchanger systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, analyze, and validate high-performance solutions for next-generation energy applications, ensu...
1 week ago
Senior Thermo-Mechanical Engineer
$140K - $185K *
Transform the thermal management of the Power Conversion System, owning the heat budget and critical thermal interfaces. Collaborate across disciplines to optimize hardware performance while ensuring...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$85K - $161K *
Lead the design and development of innovative medical device firmware. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and drive technical excellence to enhance patient outcomes through hig...
1 week ago
$100K *
Shape the future of OSD manufacturing by providing expert process engineering support, ensuring compliance with GMP standards, and collaborating closely with clients and stakeholders to troubleshoot a...
3 weeks ago
Principal Research & Development Engineer/Scientist - Electrochemistry
$177K - $222K *
Drive innovative R&D initiatives in electrochemistry, leading projects from concept to scale-up, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance technologies and processes in metal refining...
3 weeks ago
Principal Mechanical Systems Engineer, IPT Lead
$198K - $300K *
Elevate aircraft design by leading the development of innovative mechanical systems, ensuring modularity and producibility for high-rate production. Drive integration and testing of critical component...
1 week ago
Staff Electrical Engineer - Robotics
$109K - $174K *
Innovate in the realm of robotics as a key contributor to advanced electromechanical systems. Drive cross-functional collaboration and lead compliance efforts to enhance patient care through cutting-e...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Drive process optimization and innovation in manufacturing to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement improvements and ensure compliance w...
Yesterday
Mechanical Engineer, Vehicle Integration & Product Design
$100K - $140K *
Drive innovation by designing vehicle-specific mechanical interfaces for autonomy systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance product reliability and manufacturability while directly impacting techno...
1 week ago
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer, Enterprise AI Productivity
$200K - $275K *
Empower business transformation by designing and deploying innovative AI solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive productivity improvements, architect scalable platforms, and define success m...
3 weeks ago
R&D Manager, Quantum Computer Science (1425)
$163K - $278K *
Shape the future of quantum computing as a leader in research, guiding a multidisciplinary team toward breakthrough advancements that support national security and innovation in technology. Drive coll...
Reposted 1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Optimize interconnection strategies by analyzing grid injection points, managing agreements, and ensuring compliance throughout project construction. Collaborate with teams to enhance project economic...
2 days ago
Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer
$90K - $120K *
Join a dynamic engineering team to enhance manufacturing processes, drive continuous improvement, and ensure product quality. Utilize your expertise to troubleshoot and optimize operations, fostering...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform engineering solutions by leveraging advanced CAE techniques and finite element analysis. Collaborate across teams to drive product performance, durability, and innovation in dynamic automoti...
3 weeks ago
Research Engineer, Synthetic Data
$130K - $155K *
Lead the development of innovative synthetic data solutions to enhance model capabilities. Own the end-to-end process from data generation to validation, ensuring high-quality datasets that drive impa...
1 week ago
$80K - $90K *
Explore your engineering expertise in a dynamic role focused on civil projects. Collaborate with a team to tackle diverse challenges, manage projects, and build client relationships, all while deliver...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and developing advanced electrical systems for analytical instruments, collaborating across disciplines to ensure seamless integration from concept to production while men...
1 week ago
Senior Thermal Analysis Engineer
$140K - $179K *
Empower the future of space exploration by developing advanced thermal systems for spacecraft. Collaborate across teams to ensure optimal vehicle performance and health throughout missions, driving in...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the technical execution of complex military flight simulation projects, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with defense standards. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and serve as the...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Take ownership of developing and maintaining high-quality software across the full technology stack, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that enhance industrial ope...
2 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer-DARPA, TS/SCI
$150K - $250K *
Drive innovation by leading the design and development of advanced electrical systems. Oversee integration, testing, and logistics support for complex defense projects, leveraging extensive expertise...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff High Speed Analog IC Design RD Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Design innovative high-speed analog ICs in a collaborative R&D environment. Lead product development phases from design through to production, working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve cu...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $140K *
Deliver transformative process engineering solutions to enhance Enterprise-level efficiency and ensure seamless integration across project teams, utilizing advanced methodologies and best practices to...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $140K *
Join a team that's driving process innovation. As a Process Engineer, you'll enhance Enterprise processes, lead project facilitation, and sync cross-team efforts to achieve optimal solutions across th...
2 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.