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 *
Transform manufacturing processes by providing expert chemical engineering support for electroplating, PTFE coating, and wastewater treatment, driving safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement ac...
5 days ago
Materials Development & Test Engineer
$100K - $120K *
Champion the development of advanced SiC composite materials for space nuclear propulsion through hands-on testing, manufacturing and research, while contributing expertise to innovative designs and s...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the daily operations of advanced test rigs, executing test campaigns, troubleshooting, and ensuring precise data analysis to support engineering success while contributing to robust design and c...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Systems Engineer, Algorithm Development - Effectors
$160K - $250K *
Transform the future of radar technology by designing advanced signal processing algorithms. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance airborne radar systems, ensuring optimal performance a...
2 weeks ago
$77K - $128K *
Join a team that's applying systems engineering expertise to spacecraft design, focusing on ConOps, requirements management, integration, and validation activities to meet mission objectives in a coll...
3 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Champion innovative electrical solutions for submarine systems, leading cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and performance. Drive project success through effective communication and collabora...
4 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of microelectronics by serving as a senior Customer Application Engineer. You'll lead technical interfaces, advise on semiconductor lifecycle, and negotiate contr...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by driving UX/UI design for a leading public infrastructure platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experience and contribute to a scalable design system, en...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Application Engineer
$125K - $160K *
Elevate your career by owning electrical application engineering for prefabricated platforms. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver scalable solutions, ensuring design integrity and execution read...
2 weeks ago
Staff Engineer - Product Development (Contact Systems)
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovative product development in power connectors and cable assemblies. Lead cross-functional teams, drive technical excellence, and mentor engineering talent to deliver high-quality, cost-e...
Reposted 2 days ago
$125K - $160K *
Transform your career by developing cutting-edge perception systems for AI-driven autonomy. Collaborate across deep learning and computer vision to deploy innovative solutions in challenging environme...
1 week ago
$125K - $160K *
Unlock potential by designing and deploying advanced perception systems for navigation and targeting in challenging environments. Collaborate across deep learning and computer vision to transform rese...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Innovate manufacturing processes by driving operational efficiency and cost savings. Collaborate with teams to enhance product quality and implement strategic improvements in coating and converting de...
3 weeks ago
$107K - $178K *
Optimize quality assurance processes to ensure manufacturing excellence and compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement improvements, lead investigations, and support quality metr...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $145K *
Innovate customer success by driving implementation projects from kickoff to go-live. Collaborate across teams to ensure effective software integration and compliance, enhancing operational efficiency...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$115K - $160K *
Drive customer success through seamless project implementations, ensuring timely configuration and deployment of solutions while managing change amidst evolving requirements and fostering strong commu...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$107K - $150K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of electrical engineering by leading innovative design projects. You'll guide a talented group in delivering high-quality solutions for complex installations whil...
2 days ago
$198K - $320K *
Join a dynamic team as a Principal Systems Engineer, leading the development of an autonomous modular aircraft program. Drive technical decisions, establish MBSE practices, and ensure system integrity...
1 week ago
Production Systems Engineer, NPI
$138K - $165K *
Transform the hardware lifecycle by leading system validation and deployment for advanced computing platforms, utilizing extensive collaboration across teams to enhance performance and reliability in...
3 weeks ago
Production Systems Engineer, NPI
$120K - $145K *
Lead end-to-end validation and deployment of innovative Compute and Storage hardware, ensuring system performance, reliability, and effective debugging across diverse teams and components in data cent...
3 weeks ago
Production Systems Engineer, NPI
$135K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to lead system validation and deployment of advanced hardware in data centers. Collaborate across teams to enhance reliability, diagnose issues, and drive new platform enablement f...
3 weeks ago
$70K - $143K *
Engage in innovative product development as an entry-level Applications Engineer, supporting USB and PCIe technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create technical documentation, train...
1 week ago
$70K - $143K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of technology as an entry-level Applications Engineer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and support innovative USB and PCIe products, enhancing c...
1 week ago
$70K - $143K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing innovative USB and PCIe solutions. As an entry-level Applications Engineer, you'll create technical documentation, support evaluation platforms, and provide...
1 week ago
$70K - $143K *
Drive your career with an entry-level Applications Engineer role, supporting USB and PCIe products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical documentation, training, and evaluation...
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.