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 *
Manage custom equipment design projects for food and beverage clients, guiding initiatives from concept to installation. Leverage technical expertise and project leadership to deliver manufacturable s...
Today
$125K - $160K *
Lead advanced mechanical design and prototype development while driving technical capture efforts. Collaborate across disciplines to support R&D projects for defense applications and mentor junior eng...
Reposted 2 days ago
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's transforming complex engineering challenges into innovative solutions. Lead major projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure effective communication across disciplines while main...
5 days ago
$110K - $165K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of aviation by leading the industrialization of complex mechanical and electromechanical products. Drive manufacturing excellence from development to production...
1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer - Medical Devices
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of medical devices by leading embedded software projects. Leverage your expertise in firmware development and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver i...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in aerospace by developing cutting-edge composite products for space applications. Collaborate with experts to manage projects from design to testing, ensuring te...
2 weeks ago
Lead, Mechanical Design Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead a multi-disciplinary team to design advanced laser systems for military applications. Manage complex projects, provide technical direction, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Unlock potential by developing innovative software solutions that enhance business operations across various functions. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify needs, optimize processes, and impleme...
2 weeks ago
R&D Manager - Food Manufacturers, Snacks - Non Protein
$103K - $133K *
Empower R&D initiatives by managing direct reports, leading product development, and fostering collaboration across teams to align with business objectives in the food industry...
Reposted 1 week ago
R&D Manager - Food Manufacturers, Snacks - Non Protein
$103K - $133K *
Join a team that's redefining food innovation! Lead R&D efforts in new product development, manage a dynamic team, and ensure alignment with business strategies while driving creative solutions in the...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$90K - $105K *
Unlock potential by leading supplier evaluations and quality assurance initiatives. Collaborate across departments to ensure optimal supplier selection and compliance, driving product development and...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by designing and analyzing vertical structures for diverse projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions while ensuring client sa...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform the future of automotive safety by leading product development for restraint systems. Oversee project timelines, manage supplier deliverables, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Shape the future of vehicle closures by leading innovative design and development of handles, locks, and mechanisms for automotive applications, ensuring compliance with regulations and quality standa...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop innovative mechanical products, utilizing CAD tools for modeling and engineering collaboration. Ensure prototype validation and manage documentation while sup...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Explore your potential as a Marine Engineer, enhancing vessel modernization for military projects. Collaborate with various teams to deliver technical solutions and support data management throughout...
3 weeks ago
$62K - $111K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of test engineering by supporting the development and commissioning of test solutions, enhancing production efficiency, and driving continuous improvement in test...
2 days ago
$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
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
$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...
Yesterday
$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
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.