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.
$80K - $95K *
Optimize manufacturing processes by addressing equipment and component issues, ensuring efficient production of high-quality RF coaxial cable assemblies while collaborating with cross-functional teams...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Join our innovative team as a robotics engineer, where you'll architect and develop cutting-edge software solutions for virtual simulations, collaborating with experts to enhance autonomy and sensor i...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing critical thermal-mechanical components for advanced power plants. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to transform thermal performance requirements into manufacturabl...
2 weeks ago
$116K - $175K *
Innovate electrical engineering solutions for energy and infrastructure projects, leading design and coordination efforts. Ensure compliance and efficiency while tackling complex challenges in healthc...
2 days ago
$116K - $175K *
Empower your career by leading advanced electrical engineering designs for energy and infrastructure projects. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative, code-compliant solutions that enhan...
2 days ago
Mechanical/Process Project Engineer
$88K - $105K *
Join a team transforming engineering solutions across mechanical and process systems. You will represent the owner’s interests during project design and execution, ensuring compliance and facilitating...
Reposted 6 days ago
$70K - $91K *
Execute project support by collaborating with senior staff to design, develop, and deliver innovative drug delivery systems, utilizing engineering skills to translate user requirements into actionable...
1 week ago
$117K - $200K *
Unlock your potential in a dynamic role, ensuring top-notch performance and delivery, while collaborating across teams to solve complex production issues and optimize systems for leading-edge semicond...
Reposted today
$97K - $164K *
Innovate in product development engineering, collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance next-generation metrology tools and optimize system performance for electron beam-based instruments. Lea...
Reposted 3 days ago
Product Development Engineer (Analytical Hardware)
$85K - $125K *
Lead the charge in advancing chemical analysis technology through conceptualizing and developing next-generation devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze requirements, design soluti...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Design Reliability Engineer
$137K - $195K *
Drive the charge in engineering excellence by leading design reviews and fostering best practices for reliability in cutting-edge aerospace systems, ensuring safety and operational integrity in artifi...
3 weeks ago
Product Development Engineer (Mechanical Design)
$80K - $95K *
Contribute to innovative mechanical design projects, ensuring high-speed IO product functionality and manufacturability while collaborating across global teams and customers throughout development and...
3 weeks ago
Lead Controls Engineer - Energy
$120K - $170K *
Engineer cutting-edge control systems for energy projects. Lead design and mentoring efforts while engaging with customers and driving project success. Utilize your expertise to ensure technical excel...
3 weeks ago
$92K - $129K *
Lead the charge in designing innovative electrical control systems for diverse industrial projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver effective solutions while ensuring compliance...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Transform engineering concepts into successful project implementations by collaborating with design teams and providing technical expertise on cooling systems for optimal project execution and custome...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in engineering project execution within a regulated life sciences environment, ensuring compliance with GMP standards while coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Shape the future of fiber optic solutions by leading product design from concept to industrialization. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage project risks, and ensure quality standards in a...
3 weeks ago
Mission Design Engineer (2-5 yrs)
$88K - $116K *
Help us drive innovation in space exploration by applying your astrodynamics expertise to mission design and trajectory analysis, contributing to ambitious Earth-orbiting and interplanetary missions t...
Reposted 6 days ago
Senior Research Associate - Technology Development
$104K - $110K *
Join a team that's advancing the future of gene editing through innovative assay development and data-driven solutions. Collaborate with experts to optimize workflows and drive impactful research at t...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive the execution of CAPEX projects by ensuring engineering standards, coordinating teams, and managing project phases from conception to delivery, promoting efficiency and collaboration across vari...
4 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
$92K - $110K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative mechanical designs for diverse projects, collaborating with teams to meet customer needs while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring high standards in design...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in aerospace coatings by optimizing end-to-end processes. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product quality and efficiency while mentoring staff on best p...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer, NPI
$112K - $168K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on NPI electrical engineering, driving the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge DNA sequencing instruments through collaboration and hands-on expe...
3 weeks ago
$115K - $138K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of space exploration by leading power electronics design and testing for innovative space flight hardware. Collaborate on cutting-edge projects from concept to de...
2 days ago
Sr. System Integration Engineer
$130K - $162K *
Join our team to integrate cutting-edge ADAS software into vehicles, ensuring seamless functionality and performance through rigorous verification and validation activities to enhance the next generat...
1 month 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.