Research Engineer Jobs

Research engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems, tools, and products. They combine engineering expertise with research methods to design experiments, build prototypes, analyze results, and help teams move discoveries toward real-world applications. Explore vetted Research Engineer opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.

What Does a Research Engineer Do?

Responsibilities vary by industry and employer, but often include developing research software or hardware, creating and testing prototypes, designing experiments, processing data, documenting findings, and collaborating with scientists, product teams, and other engineers. In fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, materials science, and biotechnology, research engineers may also build infrastructure that enables teams to train models, run simulations, or evaluate new technologies.

Research Engineer Skills and Qualifications

Employers typically seek strong engineering fundamentals, analytical thinking, and experience applying technical methods to open-ended problems. Relevant skills may include programming, statistical analysis, machine learning, simulation, experimental design, prototyping, and technical communication. Requirements depend on the specialty; some roles favor a bachelor’s or master’s degree and industry experience, while others may prefer a doctorate or a background in academic or laboratory research.

Where Research Engineers Work

Research engineers work in technology companies, research and development organizations, universities, laboratories, healthcare and biotech firms, and advanced manufacturing. Roles may focus on software, AI, robotics, electrical or mechanical systems, or other specialized areas. Team structures and day-to-day work can differ, so review each job description for its research focus, required expertise, and collaboration model.

Find Research Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Search Ladders for vetted Research Engineer openings with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation details to find opportunities that fit your technical background and career goals.

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$94K - $176K *

Drive innovation in document processing by leading high-impact projects, shaping architecture, and optimizing performance in a queue-driven pipeline. Collaborate across teams to enhance AI products an...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$170K - $180K *

Lead the charge in overseeing complex software development initiatives, driving Agile sprint teams, and ensuring seamless integration of web services and databases to meet organizational goals while e...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Join a dynamic team to bridge design and engineering, enhancing UI systems and creating reusable components that elevate product quality and speed. Collaborate across teams to build, evolve, and maint...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Deliver seamless integration and Tier 3 support for secure mobile infrastructure. Collaborate with enterprise stakeholders to ensure compliance, performance, and customer satisfaction while managing c...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$163K - $224K *

Help us lead and develop a senior Cloud Engineering team focused on operational excellence, infrastructure stability, and impactful migration programs that drive growth and efficiency within our cloud...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining cloud infrastructure by providing cross-departmental technical leadership, driving innovative architectural solutions, and mentoring top engineers to create unified, scal...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$126K - $215K *

Transform AI experiences by architecting LLM-based agents that integrate with real-world tools, orchestrate tasks, and scale in production. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation and ensure high...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Join a team that's dedicated to helping clients thrive through expert environmental consulting. You will enable compliance with regulations, evaluate impacts, and develop tailored solutions for a dive...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$129K - $220K *

Champion reliability across multiple manufacturing sites by analyzing equipment performance, implementing sustainable improvements, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to reduce downtime and...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by leading power systems studies for utility-scale solar and battery storage projects, ensuring safe, reliable grid connections. Mentor teams while managing multiple complex assignmen...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$96K - $148K *

Lead the charge in designing and building secure integrations for enterprise ITSM platforms. Analyze data flows, enhance system connections, and ensure compliance while delivering resilient solutions...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $90K *

Shape the future of technical recruiting by sourcing top engineering and architecture talent. Collaborate with hiring managers to drive continuous growth through innovative strategies and relationship...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$134K - $205K *

Lead the charge in ensuring quality standards for heavy industrial construction projects. Oversee QA/QC processes, conduct audits, and support contractors to enhance performance and safety throughout...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$163K - $226K *

Lead the AI enablement initiative, crafting tools and workflows to empower engineers across the organization, enhancing productivity and safety through innovative AI technologies and practices...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform remote sensing capabilities by architecting advanced exploitation pipelines, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and developing innovative tools that enhance space observation analytics and mi...

Fairborn, OHRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in ensuring quality and compliance for mechanical and electrical systems. Collaborate across teams to uphold standards, conduct inspections, and drive continuous improvement in mission...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock your leadership potential by guiding product engineers in creating exceptional developer experiences. This role blends technical expertise and product vision, enabling you to drive impactful in...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$92K - $130K *

Elevate municipal engineering projects by managing diverse client needs, leading design efforts, and fostering collaboration. Utilize your expertise to enhance community infrastructure while ensuring...

South Portland, MERemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$184K - $287K *

Innovate and lead in machine learning, tackling safety challenges in multi-modal LLMs. Collaborate with experts to enhance security, inclusivity, and robustness across our cutting-edge models and syst...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $105K *

Contribute to the development and support of advanced missile systems as a systems engineer. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance the capabilities of critical defense technologies while...

Pittsfield, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$147K - $210K *

Empower your career with a role focused on developing large-scale infrastructure and distributed systems. Collaborate with teams to enhance cloud technologies and deliver critical services for diverse...

Cambridge, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform customer interactions by serving as a key technical resource during sales cycles, bridging the gap between commercial and engineering teams to enhance the onboarding process and troubleshoot...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Empower our privacy program by automating processes, managing data subject requests, and ensuring compliance with GDPR and CCPA. You'll leverage technical skills to build scalable tools and systems, d...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovative solutions by architecting a cutting-edge Command & Control system for large drone swarms, influencing design and implementation while collaborating with a dynamic team to tackle co...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$230K - $322K *

Optimize machine learning infrastructure and tooling to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive productivity and scalability in ML s...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a Research Engineer?question toggle

    A Research Engineer applies engineering methods to investigate technical questions and develop tools, prototypes, or systems that advance research or translate discoveries into practical applications.

  • What qualifications do Research Engineer jobs require?question toggle

    Requirements vary by specialty. Employers commonly look for an engineering or related technical degree, relevant programming or laboratory experience, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate research results. Some positions require advanced degrees or specialized expertise.

  • What industries hire Research Engineers?question toggle

    Research Engineers are hired across technology, AI, robotics, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, academia, and research laboratories, among other sectors.

  • How much do Research Engineers earn?question toggle

    Compensation varies based on location, experience, specialization, and employer. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, and job listings may provide role-specific compensation information.

  • How can I find Research Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Research Engineer listings on Ladders and review each posting’s salary information, responsibilities, and qualifications to identify roles that match your experience and goals.