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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$89K - $123K *

Join a dynamic team to support the development and testing of advanced sensor prototypes, focusing on hardware integration and laboratory operations. Engage in hands-on tasks, troubleshooting, and imp...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $165K *

Transform transit infrastructure by delivering innovative structural designs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers while leading complex projects for major clients in t...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$92K - $110K *

Lead impactful engineering projects that support critical defense missions. Collaborate across disciplines to transform complex requirements into executable plans, ensuring reliable systems are delive...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $102K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in hardware/electronics programs. As a Project Engineer, you'll lead cross-functional teams, manage technical scope, and ensure project success through effective...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $199K *

Champion innovative engineering projects by leading multidisciplinary teams, ensuring effective execution from design to delivery. Drive technical excellence while engaging with customers and stakehol...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $98K *

Join a team that's dedicated to designing innovative UV Curing systems. As a Mechanical Engineer, you'll develop and qualify electromechanical components, collaborating with experts to advance sustain...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Transform vessel management by leading maintenance strategies, coordinating inspections, and driving compliance for optimal performance in a dynamic marine engineering environment...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of sustainable insulation by leading R&D initiatives, driving product innovation, and optimizing manufacturing processes across multiple plants to enhance performance and efficiency i...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $135K *

Take ownership of engineering projects from kick-off to handover, leading design efforts for automated storage solutions while collaborating with clients and internal teams to ensure timely and budget...

Romeoville, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$87K - $108K *

Join a team that's dedicated to innovating and developing cutting-edge plastic products. You'll lead design initiatives, collaborate with global teams, and ensure projects meet specifications and dead...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $160K *

Elevate your career as a Mechanical Engineer II, designing and developing innovative spaceflight bioinstrumentation hardware. Collaborate with a dynamic team to prototype, analyze, and refine cutting...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading the transition of advanced RF hardware from prototype to production. Drive schedules, manage suppliers, and mitigate risks to ensure successful program execution while coll...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$101K - $131K *

Drive innovation by collaborating with design teams to enhance manufacturability, streamline processes, and support new product introductions in a dynamic aerospace environment, ensuring quality and e...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $150K *

Transform precision manufacturing by developing and optimizing ultra-precision diamond turning processes for high-performance optical and mechanical components, ensuring technical leadership and custo...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$144K - $216K *

Lead the charge in hardware integration and characterization of metrology sub-systems, ensuring design requirements are met while collaborating with cross-functional teams and contributing to high-per...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Build innovative wiring harnesses for unmanned vehicles, ensuring design integrity from prototype to production. Troubleshoot and support vehicle builds while collaborating with technicians to enhance...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing electromechanical actuator products. As a Product Engineer, you'll collaborate across functions to enhance product quality and support lifecycle management, e...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in engineering projects, driving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring manufacturing readiness, process stability, and documentation control in an ISO-regulated environment...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$113K - $163K *

Transform your career by driving engineering excellence and innovation in photolithography equipment. Lead improvement initiatives and mentor engineers while ensuring optimal performance and reliabili...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $150K *

Transform the future of autonomous vehicles by assembling and maintaining key mechanical components, integrating technology, and collaborating with engineers for rapid design iterations...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $205K *

Join a dynamic team to design and deploy onboard software for space programs, driving innovative features and ensuring high reliability across satellite systems while collaborating with cross-function...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $205K *

Unlock your potential in a dynamic software role, designing robust solutions for onboard satellite operations while influencing the architecture and contributing to team success through code reviews a...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Engineer cutting-edge mechanical systems through design, analysis, and testing. Focus on thermal, structural, and packaging challenges under various environmental conditions to ensure optimal performa...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Champion the design and development of cutting-edge electronic products, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to execute complex engineering tasks and drive project success for defense programs...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in defining and governing digital system architecture for quality-critical processes, ensuring seamless integration and usability across workflows while driving operational excellence...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.