Explore R&D Engineer Jobs

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.

What R&D Engineers Do

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.

Industries and Specializations

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.

Skills and Qualifications

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.

Find R&D Engineer Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$127K - $190K *

Drive innovative research development projects, overseeing team operations and coordinating activities. Lead a skilled workforce, ensuring adherence to best practices while fostering a collaborative e...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $171K *

Transform complex software integration and testing processes by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring seamless collaboration, and driving best practices in a dynamic environment. Elevate system per...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative R&D projects in electrical switchgear systems, enhancing performance and safety. Collaborate with teams to implement solutions and lead junior engineers while ensuring compliance with...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$192K - $289K *

Unlock your potential as a key technical authority, leading a diverse engineering team to enhance national security initiatives through innovative software solutions in an agile, collaborative setting...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$92K - $110K *

Elevate packaging solutions by developing, testing, and launching innovative designs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance quality, efficiency, and sustainability in manufacturing proces...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $155K *

Design impactful electrical systems for train control modernization, ensuring compliance with national codes. Lead multiple projects while delivering advanced engineering solutions and managing comple...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$69K - $92K *

Empower product innovation by developing and testing pastry items, ensuring quality and market alignment. Collaborate with a Food Technologist to create prototypes and analyze data, driving culinary c...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and developing innovative products and solutions. Oversee departmental operations with autonomy, ensuring quality and efficiency while managing a team and driving technica...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Shape innovative product designs and lead engineering initiatives while managing teams. Drive technical improvements and ensure quality standards are met in a collaborative environment, leveraging you...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform utility-scale solar and energy storage projects through technical due diligence, system design, and performance optimization, ensuring efficient energy production and project success...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$150K - $180K *

Drive the design of cutting-edge GPU server infrastructure, optimizing performance and reliability. Collaborate with vendors and teams to shape hardware standards for a rapidly expanding AI platform...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$80K - $95K *

Champion innovative solutions as a Field Application Engineer, blending technical expertise with hands-on support. Collaborate with customers and teams to tackle complex challenges while traveling 40...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Champion the development of innovative hardware test boards and platforms for high-speed electro-optical devices, contributing to cutting-edge optical networking solutions in a dynamic R&D environment...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $220K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior FPGA Developer, leading the architecture and implementation of cutting-edge FPGA systems for spacecraft, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver hi...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $185K *

Unlock innovative audio solutions by researching and developing AI/ML algorithms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges and drive product innovation from concept to real...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$77K - $124K *

Champion innovative facility modeling and analysis efforts to enhance testing capabilities for air and space vehicles. Collaborate within a dynamic engineering team to analyze systems, develop simulat...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$117K - $235K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing national security through innovative radar systems. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary experts to develop and enhance software for cutting-edge digital signa...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$141K - $224K *

Advance robotic systems by developing innovative algorithms for motion planning and computer vision. Collaborate with engineers to enhance software solutions while ensuring quality and efficiency in t...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $165K *

Partner with us to optimize supply chain solutions for mechanical components. Drive the sourcing and manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless collaboration with engineering teams to accelerate produ...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$154K - $286K *

Empower innovation by joining a skilled team of engineers focused on developing high-speed serial-link physical IP. Contribute to mixed-signal design, verification, and testing, driving projects from...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$73K - $110K *

Shape the future of manufacturing by providing technical expertise, optimizing production processes, and mentoring teams to ensure quality and efficiency in new product introductions and ongoing opera...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$93K - $158K *

Transform robotics evaluation by owning end-to-end testing of platforms. Collaborate on integration, develop methodologies, and deliver actionable insights to enhance our robotics capabilities and inf...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Execute advanced technology transfers across global fabs, ensuring process qualification and capacity alignment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet customer demands and drive project succ...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $200K *

Innovate in electronic systems design by creating prototypes and production-ready solutions. Collaborate with a team to tackle engineering challenges, mentor peers, and drive projects from concept to...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive the design and development of advanced electromechanical systems. Lead cross-functional teams and manage projects from concept to production, ensuring high performance, reliability, and complian...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does an R&D engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.