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 - $170K *

Drive innovation by collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and integrate advanced metrology solutions, ensuring high performance and reliability in semiconductor production environments...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Lead the development and launch of a new gas strut product line, optimizing manufacturing processes and collaborating across teams to ensure quality and efficiency in production. Drive technical exper...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $105K *

Transform your career by supporting innovative automotive lighting solutions. Engage in hands-on electrical design, testing, and cross-functional collaboration to drive product development from concep...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$125K - $150K *

Explore the intersection of design and science by crafting intuitive software for drug discovery. You'll lead projects from concept to execution, transforming complex molecular biology into user-frien...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$101K - $162K *

Drive innovative mechanical designs for high-performance electronic products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and quality from concept through production, while supporting...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$76K - $122K *

Unlock potential by designing and delivering high-performance mechanical assemblies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges and ensure compliance, while owning the produc...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $190K *

Lead the creation of autonomous systems that enable AI agents to develop production-grade software while ensuring correctness, scalability, and reliability across various applications in a global cont...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$140K - $265K *

Lead the charge in advanced signal processing and communications systems research, design, and testing. Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to drive innovations influential at national and in...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$150K - $250K *

Lead the design and integration of mechanical structures for advanced satellite systems, ensuring reliability and performance through cross-functional collaboration and rigorous testing protocols...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Elevate your R&D career by tackling complex tissue converting challenges. This hands-on role involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance p...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$145K - $150K *

Shape the future of manufacturing engineering by leading the transition of complex products from design to production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure operational readiness and drive...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining design systems by owning and optimizing the Writer Design System for both humans and AI. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless user experience and...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of design systems by owning and optimizing the Writer Design System. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless experience for both designers and AI agents, enhancin...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovation as you own and optimize the Writer Design System, ensuring seamless integration for both designers and AI agents. Collaborate across teams to enhance UI components and elevate product...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of design systems by owning and optimizing the Writer Design System. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless experience for both designers and AI agents, enhancin...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Bring your expertise to shape the Writer Design System, ensuring it meets the needs of both designers and AI agents. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create high-quality UI components and en...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in engineering management, blending technical expertise with team mentorship to drive innovative fluid power solutions while ensuring project success and fostering a collaborative envi...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative product development by owning PCBAs from concept to production, ensuring compliance and reliability while leading cross-functional collaborations and mentoring team members to elevate...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by connecting mechanical, electrical, and software systems across R&D programs. As a key contributor, you'll ensure alignment and documentation, driving multiple projects to successfu...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in defining and deploying advanced DFT methodologies for complex ASIC and SoC designs, driving innovation and collaboration across teams to enhance test quality and reliability in semi...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in mechanical design and engineering. Leverage your expertise to transition complex electromechanical products from concept to production while collaborating in a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$193K - $318K *

Drive the development of complex undersea systems, integrating hardware/software technologies for defense applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to transition innovative concepts into...

Reposted today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$193K - $318K *

Drive the development of advanced undersea systems by translating stakeholder needs into robust engineering solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful integration and tes...

Reposted today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$193K - $318K *

Shape the future of undersea systems engineering by translating stakeholder needs into innovative solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop, test, and transition advanced hardware...

Reposted today

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$80K - $95K *

Optimize your career by leading large-scale product introductions, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, and driving cost-effective solutions in injection molding and automation processes...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.