R&D Systems Engineers help turn complex ideas into reliable products and systems. Working across research, engineering, and product teams, they translate requirements into designs, evaluate technical tradeoffs, and guide solutions from early concepts through testing and deployment. Explore vetted R&D Systems Engineer opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.
Responsibilities vary by industry and employer, but may include defining system requirements, developing architectures, coordinating hardware and software integration, modeling system performance, and verifying that designs meet technical and regulatory standards. These engineers also document decisions, assess risks, troubleshoot issues, and communicate findings to cross-functional teams.
Employers commonly seek experience in systems engineering, research and development, requirements management, technical analysis, and product testing. Familiarity with tools for modeling, simulation, data analysis, or configuration management can be valuable. Clear communication, structured problem-solving, and the ability to work across disciplines are important in roles involving complex products and programs.
R&D Systems Engineers may work in aerospace, defense, medical devices, robotics, automotive, telecommunications, energy, and other technology-driven fields. Depending on the role, they can focus on system architecture, integration and test, systems modeling, product development, or technical program leadership. Senior opportunities may include principal engineer, systems architect, or engineering leadership positions.
Browse R&D Systems Engineer openings on Ladders to discover vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Review role requirements, compare employers and responsibilities, and find positions that align with your technical background and career goals.
Principal Systems Engineer (TechSIGINT)
$135K - $160K *
Shape the future of TechSIGINT systems engineering by providing enterprise-focused support, integrating capabilities, and ensuring compliance with policies while collaborating with stakeholders and ma...
2 weeks ago
Advanced Programs - Staff Engineer Hot Structures Mechanical Design
$149K - $198K *
Transform the future of flight by leading mechanical design for hot structures. Collaborate with experts to solve complex engineering challenges while mentoring junior engineers and optimizing project...
3 days ago
$129K - $239K *
Join our team to lead technical planning and system integration efforts, ensuring effective solutions that meet customer requirements while managing a skilled workforce in a dynamic environment...
1 week ago
$119K - $126K *
Pioneer compliance and certification processes for airborne systems, ensuring adherence to airworthiness standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver comprehensive certification docum...
2 weeks ago
Systems Engineer III, AI Experience
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading systems engineering efforts, guiding design and integration of complex systems, and ensuring alignment with technical requirements and architectures. Collaborate across tea...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Innovate with a Senior Power Systems Mechanical Engineer to architect reliable power generation for naval autonomous ships, ensuring efficiency and performance in harsh maritime conditions while colla...
1 month ago
Senior Manufacturing Engineer- Structures
$140K - $179K *
Create innovative manufacturing processes for aerospace structures, bridging design and production. Collaborate with engineers and technicians to enhance build efficiency, ensure quality, and drive co...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Contribute to multi-disciplinary hardware and software projects, ensuring effective system design execution and on-time delivery while collaborating closely with clients and internal teams to meet pro...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by providing strategic technical leadership in software engineering, driving the migration of legacy systems into a unified operational environment while ensuring alignment with en...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Optimize software solutions by designing, developing, and testing systems-level software while providing strategic technical leadership for enterprise initiatives and ensuring alignment with organizat...
1 week ago
Systems Engineer Senior Principal
$160K - $200K *
Lead the charge in engineering excellence by guiding technical evaluations, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance for critical Navy electronic attack systems, directly influencing pr...
2 days 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
$75K - $156K *
Join a dynamic team to design and develop software infrastructure for national security programs, utilizing programming and container technologies. Collaborate effectively while driving innovative sol...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $156K *
Join a dynamic team dedicated to developing innovative software solutions for national security. Collaborate with experts, enhance your skills in modern technologies, and tackle challenging problems i...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $156K *
Innovate software-centric infrastructure for national security programs, applying foundational engineering skills in Python and Java. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to enhance cloud-native...
3 weeks ago
Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer, Avionics
$140K - $179K *
Join a team that's redefining space exploration by overseeing avionics systems design, integration, and testing. Collaborate with engineers to ensure mission success from launch to reentry, leveraging...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineer/ Software Architect - Level 4
$135K - $203K *
Empower innovation by leading software architecture and development in a collaborative IRAD team. Drive complex solutions, ensuring software standards while engaging with multidisciplinary experts to...
2 days ago
Sr System Test Engineer - 2263
$99K - $165K *
Join the Customer Technical Support team as a lead System Test Engineer, driving the qualification of KIOXIA SSD products. Collaborate with engineering and customers, troubleshoot issues, and manage e...
4 weeks ago
$119K - $152K *
Unlock potential by designing and operating avionics test systems for spacecraft. Collaborate with engineers to ensure mission readiness through innovative testing strategies and software development...
2 weeks ago
Systems Engineer, AI Experience
$110K - $135K *
Lead the development and maintenance of data classification policies, ensuring effective metadata tagging and permission enforcement across workflows. Engage in automating sensitive data discovery and...
2 days ago
Systems Engineer, AI Experience
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in developing and maintaining data classification policies, ensuring effective metadata tagging and permission enforcement across workflows while integrating advanced data governance s...
2 days ago
Principal Thermal Engineer - Aircraft Avionics & Thermal Systems (R3930)
$250K - $350K *
Shape the future of aircraft thermal management systems by leading cross-functional engineering efforts, establishing design strategies, and mentoring teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet c...
1 week ago
R&D Power System Control Engineer
$83K - $133K *
Drive innovation in power system control by analyzing, designing, and optimizing control systems. Collaborate with a dynamic R&D team to enhance medium voltage AC power systems and ensure compliance w...
1 week ago
$70K - $130K *
Drive your career by supporting rate tooling contracts for Precision Fires programs. Collaborate across teams to enhance manufacturing processes, manage budgets, and ensure operational excellence in a...
6 days ago
$70K - $130K *
Elevate your career by applying manufacturing engineering skills to enhance production processes, develop accurate work instructions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality...
Today
What does an R&D Systems Engineer do?
An R&D Systems Engineer develops and evaluates integrated systems, translating stakeholder and product needs into technical requirements, architectures, and test plans. The role often includes coordinating disciplines, assessing performance and risk, and supporting designs through verification and development.
What qualifications are common for R&D Systems Engineer jobs?
Many roles require a degree in engineering or a related technical field, along with experience in systems engineering, product development, or research and development. Specific requirements depend on the industry and may include expertise in modeling, requirements tools, testing, or regulated products.
Which industries hire R&D Systems Engineers?
Employers hire R&D Systems Engineers across industries such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, robotics, automotive, telecommunications, energy, and advanced technology.
How much do R&D Systems Engineer jobs pay?
Compensation varies by experience, location, industry, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying R&D Systems Engineer opportunities.
What career paths can follow an R&D Systems Engineer role?
Career paths may lead to senior or principal systems engineering, systems architecture, technical program management, product development leadership, or engineering management.