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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$85K - $105K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Project Hydrogeologist, managing diverse hydrogeology and environmental projects. Leverage your expertise in groundwater modeling and field investigations to drive impa...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $150K *

Reimagine backend solutions while enhancing core services for speech processing. Design robust, scalable systems to streamline compute orchestration and optimize performance, driving innovation throug...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $115K *

Execute engineering design and management of plumbing systems for healthcare facilities. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality deliverables while mentoring junior staff, utilizing...

Hawaii, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$192K - $356K *

Lead the charge in advancing AI security research by innovating protective measures for AI models and systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges and co...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Drive innovation by designing and developing scalable backend services, collaborating closely with engineering teams to enhance platform performance and reliability while mentoring junior developers a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $170K *

Transform the future of correctional facility design by managing electrical engineering standards and ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. Lead technical reviews, oversee construction, and pro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$164K - $229K *

Unlock potential by creating scalable, fault-tolerant data systems to support ML and analytics workflows, enabling efficient data processing for critical teams at a leading tech company. Collaborate a...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Media

$181K - $226K *

Join our dynamic team as a Software Engineer, where you'll enhance internal tools, collaborate with stakeholders, and drive improvements in cloud infrastructure and observability, all while working in...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by driving AI-powered workflows from conception to deployment. Engage with strategic partners and large enterprises to translate complex operations into reusable systems that enhance...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $90K *

Collaborate with diverse teams to provide expert technical guidance and direction for geotechnical projects, ensuring feasibility and efficient bidding processes through thorough analysis and innovati...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $275K *

Innovate in a dynamic full-stack ML role focusing on user-behavioral modeling and core product development. Collaborate extensively across teams, driving R&D gains while contributing to data processin...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $200K *

Unlock potential by joining our engineering team to build high-performance, user-facing trading products. Shape the future of real-time web applications while collaborating across the stack to deliver...

New York, NYRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive strategic leadership in electrical engineering, overseeing project execution and team development while ensuring quality and compliance across multidisciplinary projects. Foster collaboration an...

Atlanta, GARemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$115K - $160K *

Advance your career by solving complex automation challenges using AI. Collaborate closely with business teams to create effective agents that streamline operations, leveraging your expertise in LLM a...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Optimize project financial performance by managing accounting processes, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with project teams to enhance profitability and cash flow. Drive timely reporting and su...

Miami, FLRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $165K *

Optimize data systems by designing and maintaining scalable solutions that enhance decision-making. Collaborate across teams, mentor junior engineers, and streamline data processes to ensure high-qual...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$150K - $250K *

Develop cutting-edge ML workflows and infrastructure, influence company direction, and tackle complex engineering challenges in a fast-paced environment, boosting productivity and innovation across te...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $230K *

Shape the future of engineering programs by driving strategy, governance, and continuous improvement across a global portfolio. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure operational excellence and measura...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$130K - $160K *

Transform the future of AI by architecting core building blocks for agentic systems, ensuring robust infrastructure and shared primitives that enhance collaboration across teams and drive innovation i...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by driving technical sales engagement in power conversion and energy storage markets. Collaborate with diverse teams to align customer needs with innovative solutions, ensuring commer...

Mesa, AZRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$287K - $320K *

Join a team that's redefining financial insights through AI. As a senior technical leader, you'll shape the multi-year strategy for Reporting & Insights, guiding engineering teams to innovate and scal...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$224K - $356K *

Elevate safety standards in AI-driven autonomous systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and implement safety requirements across software and hardware, driving innovatio...

Michigan, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$149K - $198K *

Champion the development of reliable software releases for autonomous vehicles by building and automating pipelines, ensuring quality and speed through effective collaboration and innovative engineeri...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$248K - $391K *

Shape the future of cloud-hosted compute environments by leading the architecture and development of AI agent platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance solutions a...

California, USRemote

4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $180K *

Contribute to the compliance framework and processes for regulated facilities. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to achieve regulatory commitment while ensuring safe and efficient operations o...

Santa Clara, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.