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.
Electrical Engineer - Forward Deployed
$95K - $115K *
Transform maritime technology by deploying innovative electrical systems in real-world environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate and troubleshoot complex systems, ensuring mis...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical Project Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in overseeing electrical engineering projects, ensuring technical excellence and project success. Mentor new engineers while directing project teams and collaborating on innovative des...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive your career as you design, prototype, and deploy innovative electronics, solving challenges across PCB design and system integration, advancing hardware products from concept to production with...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Software Engineering
$135K - $204K *
Unlock innovation by leading software engineering efforts, focusing on design, development, and verification of complex avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product qua...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's pioneering advanced manufacturing processes for modular nuclear reactors. Leverage your expertise in engineering to optimize production methods, mentor others, and drive continuous...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $120K *
Drive innovation by designing, developing, and modifying software systems while coordinating installations and ensuring they meet specifications. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-quality...
Reposted 1 week ago
$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
$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
$113K - $142K *
Engineer innovative electrical designs for modular data centers, ensuring compliance and performance across international standards. Collaborate with teams to deliver hands-on solutions from concept t...
Today
Sr. Structures Design Engineer
$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
$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
Principal Engineer Electronics
$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
$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...
5 days ago
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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...
6 days ago
$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
Senior Mechanical Application Engineer
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Design Engineer - New Product Development
$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
R&D Software Engineering Manager
$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
R&D Software Engineering Manager
$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
NDT Physicist / NDT Research Engineer
$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
$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 5 days 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.