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.
$62K - $111K *
Drive the charge in developing and optimizing test solutions, ensuring quality and efficiency in production. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes and deliver comprehensive documentation and tra...
2 days ago
Senior Nuclear Project Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to innovative projects as a Project Engineer, driving customer order execution. Leverage engineering skills to create detailed designs, improve quality and cost-efficiency while collaborati...
4 weeks ago
General Interdisciplinary Engineer (Journeyman)
$132K - $142K *
Lead innovative engineering solutions by tackling complex challenges and advancing program methodologies. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance standards and drive impactful projects within a dyna...
Reposted 4 days ago
Research Engineer - Model Architectures
$135K - $160K *
Elevate AI research by designing and testing novel model architectures, enhancing core capabilities, and collaborating closely with pre-training teams to shape next-gen models, all in a fast-paced, in...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Mechanical Design & Reactor Design
$131K - $171K *
Transform the future of nuclear energy by designing advanced reactor components. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop innovative solutions, ensuring high-quality engineering practices and mentor...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Explore a dynamic role in PCB design, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop cutting-edge electronic products. Contribute to all phases of design, from layout to documentation, ensuring...
3 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering innovative engineering solutions across diverse sectors. Provide consulting services, manage projects, and ensure compliance while collaborating with clients...
Today
$93K - $139K *
Unlock your potential as a test engineer, driving system verification efforts and developing comprehensive test plans in a collaborative environment. Join a dynamic team focused on delivering high-qua...
Reposted 1 week ago
Forward Deployed Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Elevate user experiences by developing modern web applications with React and TypeScript. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, maintainable solutions that integrate AI workflow...
Today
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of propulsion systems by leading hardware design from concept to production. Drive innovation through analysis, prototyping, and testing in a fast-paced environment, ensuring complian...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Process Engineer (Projects Focus)
$88K - $105K *
Shape the future of our capital projects by leading process engineering efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in capacity, cost, and safety while ensuring effective de...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Mid - Early Career R&D S&E, Mechanical Engineer - Project Lead, Onsite
$102K - $199K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing metrology and calibration standards. As a key contributor, you'll lead projects that enhance measurement systems, ensuring precision and compliance in support...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Drive innovation in reliable AI solutions, owning core systems from ideation to production. Collaborate with an elite team to enhance user experience and engineering culture while rapidly experimentin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$103K - $155K *
Optimize quality assurance processes by leading mission assurance initiatives, ensuring compliance, and driving continuous improvement in a collaborative aerospace environment. Engage with cross-funct...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Architect innovative software solutions for semiconductor test platforms, integrating design and coding with hands-on technical leadership while collaborating with global engineering teams to deliver...
Reposted 1 week ago
Mechanical Design Engineer II - Reactivity Controls
$115K - $150K *
Join a team that's pioneering mechanical design for reactor reactivity controls, focusing on innovative solutions and systems integration. Leverage your engineering expertise to ensure safe reactor op...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Sr. Electrical Design Engineer
$104K - $173K *
Innovate spacecraft solar array systems as a technical expert, leading development, testing, and integration efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance power systems for space mission...
2 weeks ago
R&D Eng SME (SRM Propulsion) (Remote Option Available)
$180K - $235K *
Pioneer advanced propulsion technologies by leading R&D efforts in Solid Rocket Motors. Drive feasibility studies, design, and testing while providing technical leadership across programs and collabor...
Yesterday
$75K - $135K *
Help us design innovative cooling solutions for data centers, leading engineering teams to develop sustainable products. Collaborate on complex technical challenges while ensuring performance, quality...
1 week ago
$75K - $135K *
Transform your career by leading innovative designs for cooling systems in data centers. Drive engineering excellence, manage teams, and solve complex challenges to deliver sustainable products that m...
1 week ago
$82K - $220K *
Contribute to national security programs by translating mission goals into detailed requirements, guiding innovative solutions, mentoring teams, and driving strategic alignment within projects. Bring...
3 weeks ago
$82K - $220K *
Advance national security initiatives by leading requirements engineering and model-based systems engineering efforts, mentoring teams, and driving innovative solutions that align with strategic objec...
3 weeks ago
$87K - $114K *
Join a dynamic team to manage mechanical engineering projects from concept to production, ensuring timely implementation and compliance. Collaborate on design improvements, conduct tests, and provide...
6 days ago
$80K - $120K *
Engage in mechanical design, prototype fabrication, and testing while supporting technical capture efforts for government R&D projects. Collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams to enhance solutions...
Reposted yesterday
Engineering Supervisor - Systems
$110K - $130K *
Elevate engineering excellence by supervising 2nd shift teams to ensure timely design, outfitting, and testing of electric drive systems for COLUMBIA Class ships, focusing on proactive problem-solving...
Reposted 2 weeks 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.