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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$120K - $145K *

Pioneer robust hardware solutions critical for data center success, driving the development lifecycle from design to validation. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure performance and efficiency for...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and validating innovative server hardware solutions that meet the performance and reliability demands of large-scale data center operations, collaborating with cross-funct...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$104K - $173K *

Optimize spacecraft structures by leading design efforts, generating detailed drawings, and collaborating with a skilled team to enhance engineering processes and support innovative projects in aerosp...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$98K - $147K *

Empower teams by building and maintaining robust data pipelines and components that ensure secure, efficient data ingestion, transformation, and publishing, while collaborating with stakeholders to me...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K - $137K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in advanced hardware engineering to enhance tactical applications. Your expertise will support cutting-edge technologies like 5G and machine learning, crucial for...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $194K *

Join a team that's optimizing hardware design through innovative engineering software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance productivity and streamline workflows, ensuring cutt...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Elevate software engineering solutions by architecting and integrating advanced testing platforms across diverse semiconductor environments, ensuring high-quality, reliable execution and fostering tec...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$69K - $120K *

Elevate chip manufacturing processes by driving frame engineering improvements, collaborating globally to enhance productivity and quality through innovative solutions and advanced technologies in a d...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$69K - $120K *

Champion innovative solutions in tape out operations, enhancing productivity and quality through collaboration and process improvements in semiconductor manufacturing. Engage with global teams to driv...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$171K - $285K *

Deliver innovative solutions by leading a high-performing engineering team in the development of cloud and mobile applications. Drive excellence and ensure quality while shaping technical strategies t...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $100K *

Elevate your career by managing all phases of commercial construction projects, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among teams while supporting U.S. military projects on active bases...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Engage with cross-functional teams to drive mechanical engineering efforts across program life cycles, ensuring designs meet requirements and support defense initiatives with direct customer interacti...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative mechanical solutions for prefabricated platforms. Leverage your expertise in HVAC to lead the development and ensure alignment with customer and operational goals...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$75K - $95K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in product development. As a key contributor, you'll transform customer needs into engineering solutions, collaborating across departments to bring new tools and...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$167K - $279K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in software and firmware development. Lead an Agile engineering team, shape product strategy, and enhance customer experiences across IoT, mobile, and desktop app...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$167K - $279K *

Unlock your potential by leading an Agile engineering team to innovate and drive product strategy across software and firmware, ensuring customer-centric solutions in IoT, mobile, and desktop applicat...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Support the advancement of NDT technologies through hands-on development, testing, and analysis of inspection techniques. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance equipment and methodologies, ensurin...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$175K - $250K *

Champion the development of AI-driven applications that enhance broker workflows, drive revenue growth, and improve member engagement. Collaborate cross-functionally to build innovative, scalable solu...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Unlock automation potential by leading projects from concept to execution, enhancing production efficiency through innovative solutions and hands-on troubleshooting in a dynamic manufacturing environm...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $135K *

Join a team that's pioneering protein engineering through innovative research. This role focuses on enzyme optimization and strain development, utilizing advanced molecular biology techniques to enhan...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $140K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing RF testing methodologies. Lead the development of test systems, troubleshoot complex RF setups, and mentor engineers to ensure precision in testing operations...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $140K *

Lead the testing and development of RF components, ensuring precision and efficiency. Collaborate with engineers, troubleshoot complex systems, and mentor team members while maintaining high-quality s...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$95K - $115K *

Optimize electric motor design and innovation through independent problem-solving, mentoring peers, and leading cross-functional R&D initiatives to deliver high-quality products that meet industry sta...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $120K *

Lead the planning and implementation of manufacturing processes for new and existing products, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness. Collaborate with teams to enhance production methods and provide...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Take ownership of innovative mechanical designs for advanced particle accelerator systems, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance our state-of-the-art production capabilities and ensur...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.