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.
$95K - $130K *
Lead impactful water projects by guiding engineers and technicians from planning through construction, ensuring high quality and client satisfaction while driving business development initiatives with...
3 weeks ago
Senior Advanced Controls Engineer
$125K - $156K *
Transform manufacturing processes by designing and deploying advanced control systems and automation solutions. Leverage your expertise to enhance production efficiency, product quality, and drive con...
Today
$90K - $98K *
Unlock your potential as an RF Design Engineer I, driving innovative design and simulation of RF components. Collaborate with experts, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to cutting-edge projects...
4 weeks ago
$70K - $97K *
Drive process improvements by identifying root causes and enhancing supplier performance. Utilize advanced statistical tools and the scientific method to optimize manufacturing quality, cost, and safe...
1 week ago
Metallurgical Process Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Unlock your potential as you lead critical machining operations for major aerospace programs, ensuring product integrity through innovative materials and processes. Collaborate cross-functionally to d...
2 weeks ago
Senior/Principal R&D Electronics Engineer - Telemetry Engineering, Onsite
$139K - $280K *
Reimagine the future of telemetry technology as you design and verify printed circuit boards within a dynamic engineering team. Collaborate across disciplines to innovate solutions that support critic...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in hardware engineering for next-gen sensing solutions. Collaborate across functions to deliver quality products, ensuring reliability and compliance while utiliz...
1 week ago
$137K - $231K *
Empower your career by shaping design systems that enhance user experience. Collaborate with teams to build high-quality, interactive UI across platforms, ensuring accessibility and performance while...
1 week ago
$151K - $195K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of design engineering by developing innovative systems that enhance user experience across web and mobile platforms. Your expertise will drive quality and perform...
1 week ago
Product/Design Engineer - CE Attachments
$80K - $95K *
Empower the product development lifecycle by designing innovative skid-steer and excavator attachments. Oversee projects from concept to production, collaborating with teams to ensure optimal performa...
Reposted 1 week ago
$110K *
Lead project development and preconstruction efforts, collaborating with stakeholders to define scope, assess risks, and create executable strategies for private infrastructure and buried utility proj...
2 weeks ago
$54K - $110K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and testing of innovative agricultural technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate concepts, resolve field issues, and drive continuous imp...
Reposted 1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Create innovative hardware solutions by leveraging your expertise in analog and digital circuit design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product development and ensure quality in next...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by overseeing maintenance operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and managing engineering projects to enhance guest experiences and protect assets in a dynamic hote...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by leading technology transfers and new product introductions in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure robust, compliant processes while supporting li...
Yesterday
Staff R&D Engineer, Peripheral Vascular
$102K - $171K *
Drive innovation as a technical leader in R&D, developing catheter-based technologies. Transform clinical needs into cutting-edge solutions through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, guiding...
3 weeks ago
Senior Staff Laboratory Engineer - Marine
$110K - $130K *
Drive technical excellence in advanced geotechnical testing, leading teams to deliver high-quality results. Collaborate on innovative solutions, mentor staff, and ensure compliance with industry stand...
2 weeks ago
Senior Staff Laboratory Engineer - Marine
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading advanced geotechnical testing initiatives. Collaborate with teams to ensure quality, drive innovation, and mentor staff in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment focu...
2 weeks ago
$74K - $104K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing manufacturing processes and enhancing production efficiency. As a Process Engineer, you'll lead projects, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with cross-fun...
6 days ago
$115K - $156K *
Pioneer innovative maintenance processes and CMMS capabilities, driving global engineering operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance asset management, reliability, and sustainability while...
1 week ago
$115K - $156K *
Create impactful maintenance strategies as a business process owner, leading global initiatives to enhance asset management and continuous improvement. Collaborate across teams to drive operational ex...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform the future of aerospace materials by driving product development and process innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing manufacturing efficiencies. Collaborate with cross...
Reposted 5 days ago
$130K - $180K *
Drive process excellence as a Senior Process Engineer, leading major oil product storage projects. Oversee design, ensure compliance, and mentor teams to deliver safe, efficient operations while colla...
Yesterday
Integration Engineer, Firmware
$125K - $160K *
Champion the integration of software and firmware in UAVs, driving cross-functional collaboration and technical milestones. Leverage your engineering expertise to ensure seamless delivery and validati...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in designing and developing engineering projects, preparing contract documents, and conducting field surveys with minimal oversight. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance infrastr...
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.