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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$100K - $250K *

Accelerate your career in a fast-paced environment by driving innovative software solutions for restaurants, improving customer interactions, and fostering seamless operations through team collaborati...

San Mateo, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$80K - $95K *

Advance your career by providing expert E175 engineering support, analyzing technical problems, coordinating maintenance solutions, and delivering training to enhance operational excellence and client...

Dallas, TXRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$105K - $130K *

Advance your career by developing and reviewing groundwater models for diverse projects. Collaborate with experts, mentor junior staff, and enhance ITASCA's hydrogeology practice while tackling comple...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$135K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team to architect and implement innovative AI applications, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable, efficient solutions, and mentor junior developers while staying at the f...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$173K - $207K *

Elevate your career by designing and building essential SDKs that empower engineering teams to create reliable, observable distributed systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance developer experience...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$199K - $270K *

Shape the future of software development by enhancing tooling, CI/CD, and operational workflows, ensuring teams can seamlessly transition code changes into production with improved speed, quality, and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion innovative product development in power connectors and cable assemblies. Lead cross-functional teams, drive technical excellence, and mentor engineering talent to deliver high-quality, cost-e...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $234K *

Lead innovative research in autonomous systems, shaping solutions for AI challenges. Collaborate with diverse teams, define research programs, and engage with customers to deliver cutting-edge technol...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$235K - $275K *

Advance your career by driving perception innovation in autonomous systems. Lead a team focusing on scene detection, environmental robustness, and scalable architectures. Collaborate on cutting-edge t...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$138K - $165K *

Partner with us to design and implement VoIP infrastructure and AI-driven voice workloads. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, scalability, and integration while mentoring colleagues and...

Boston, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$176K - $308K *

Drive the design and implementation of VoIP infrastructure and AI-driven voice workloads. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, scalability, and integration of telephony platforms while men...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$176K - $308K *

Champion the design and implementation of VoIP infrastructure, enhancing AI-driven voice workloads. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and operational excellence while mentoring p...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $155K *

Drive enterprise-wide security initiatives by managing complex cybersecurity challenges, ensuring compliance with regulations, and protecting critical information assets through strategic planning and...

Summerville, SCRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Innovate by building robust Go microservices for a multi-tenant AI platform. Collaborate with global teams to design API-first services, ensuring reliability and performance in production environments...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$114K - $252K *

Lead the charge in architecting and implementing a cutting-edge AI platform for federal oversight, driving innovation with technical leadership and ensuring security and compliance across complex clou...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $143K *

Take ownership of software development for manufacturing applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality APIs and web solutions. Contribute to Ford's mobility and elect...

Downers Grove, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $190K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing enterprise AI architecture strategy, ensuring scalable, ethical AI integration across platforms. Drive innovation through Generative and Agentic AI, aligning...

Florida, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$127K - $143K *

Drive innovative mechanical designs for district energy and low-carbon thermal systems. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, manage projects independently, and build strong client relationships...

Burlington, ONRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by driving product innovation in radiation therapy through customer insights and clinical expertise. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance solutions and workflows, ensuri...

Atlanta, GARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Innovate your career by developing advanced software for maritime route optimization, focusing on vessel performance, simulation, and algorithm enhancement for government defense applications. Collabo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative solutions for university clients by leveraging data and AI. Work collaboratively in cross-functional teams to tackle complex challenges and drive impactful edu...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your 7+ years of experience to build robust data systems and pipelines. Collaborate with diverse teams to transform raw data into actionable insights, enhancing business...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$77K - $108K *

Innovate high-performance AI network fabrics for accelerated computing. Engage with clients to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring optimal configurations for GPU clusters and data-center infrastructu...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$142K - $196K *

Unlock potential by leading innovative software solutions that enhance healthcare efficiency and resilience. Collaborate with diverse teams to design and deliver optimal cloud-native applications whil...

Georgia, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $165K *

Shape the future of data analytics by designing and building scalable cloud solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance platform reliability and usability while automating processes and improving dev...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.