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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$130K *

Contribute to the design and development of advanced electronic control systems for rail transit applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system integration and compliance with...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $180K *

Champion innovative thermal systems by leading cost-reduction initiatives while ensuring performance and reliability. Collaborate across teams to define requirements and validate designs, driving impa...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative bridge and structural solutions while mentoring emerging engineers. Oversee complex projects, ensuring technical excellence and compliance, while fostering col...

Yesterday

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$105K - $172K *

Empower innovation by designing and testing avionics hardware for space applications. Take ownership of the entire product lifecycle, ensuring reliability and performance through rigorous testing and...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Pioneer innovative mechanical designs and integration for payload hardware, ensuring mission success from concept through launch. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create reliable, flight-re...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$132K - $251K *

Join a dynamic software development team to innovate cybersecurity solutions for connected systems. Lead research, collaborate with engineers, and tackle complex challenges to enhance security for cri...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $110K *

Join a forward-thinking team to design cutting-edge high-speed digital systems. Drive electrical design and collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize products that enhance globa...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $247K *

Advance industrial manufacturing in aerospace. Collaborate with teams to design, analyze, and optimize innovative vehicle structures using cutting-edge technology and materials throughout the product...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $190K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous systems by integrating cutting-edge AI and robotics technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance developer experiences and ensur...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Engineer complex Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, leading projects from conception to completion. Collaborate across teams, manage risks, and ensure compliance with NASA standards while...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $160K *

Drive impactful electrical design initiatives across diverse projects, mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create integrated solutions for healthcare, academic...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $190K *

Advance your career by leading electrical design for major projects, including healthcare and data centers, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery and in...

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$88K - $105K *

Join a team that's redefining in-flight entertainment by developing innovative software solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences and drive continuous improvement...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovation as you solve complex RF/Microwave challenges, collaborating across teams to enhance product development and integrate key technologies in a high-stakes defense environment...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$68K - $98K *

Explore innovative solutions to enhance solar cell performance and reduce costs. Lead projects, conduct experiments, and apply engineering methods to optimize processes in a collaborative environment...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Elevate material innovation as a Senior R&D Specialist, collaborating with design leaders to translate historical aesthetics into luxury collections while ensuring quality and performance standards ar...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by leading the design and development of innovative mechanical systems for cutting-edge uranium enrichment technology, ensuring high performance and safety standards throughout the...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$80K - $95K *

Join a dynamic team to drive innovation in Liquid Chromatography systems, focusing on mechanical design, analysis, and testing. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure product excellence from concept...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$180K - $230K *

Transform complex DSP challenges into innovative solutions, providing strategic technical leadership and mentoring across multiple engineering programs while ensuring alignment with organizational obj...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Discover a rewarding opportunity to perform hands-on service on laboratory instrumentation, ensuring optimal performance and reliability while working independently at client sites and contributing to...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Transform semiconductor testing by architecting and optimizing SoC test programs for AI compute and inference. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance device validation and...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Join a dynamic team to optimize advanced SoC devices for AI compute and inference. Collaborate across silicon, software, and customer programs to tackle complex semiconductor test challenges in a hand...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $190K *

Drive the introduction of special processes for metal structures, collaborating with design engineers to enhance manufacturability and reliability. Lead trade studies, define process controls, and man...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$116K - $151K *

Grow your career with a pioneering team focused on developing cutting-edge fuel fabrication processes, supporting production readiness, and ensuring quality in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Tak...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $100K *

Elevate your engineering career by leading manufacturing projects, implementing Lean improvements, and mentoring a talented team. Collaborate on CAPEX initiatives and drive solutions through effective...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 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.