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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$242K - $499K *

Drive the technical strategy and execution of our indexing infrastructure to enhance relevance and efficiency across various platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to modernize architectur...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$100K - $300K *

Join a team that's embedding security into every software development phase, enhancing product safety and reliability while directly influencing our technology offerings. You'll collaborate with engin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$200K - $270K *

Join a team pioneering AI/ML platform engineering, enhancing scalable infrastructure to empower scientific innovation. Shape the future of distributed systems and MLOps, collaborating across teams to...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock innovative AI/ML solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams, conducting research, and deploying production-grade microservices. Drive impactful projects with ownership and contribut...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$250K - $290K *

Elevate your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategy and innovation in web3 technologies. Shape the future of decentralized systems while ensuring top-tier security and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Shape the future of quality assurance by ensuring our products meet high standards. Collaborate with engineering teams to test APIs, SDKs, and real-time integrations, while building automation for fas...

New York, NYRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$81K *

Manage and enhance public health technology platforms, ensuring secure, reliable operations for local, state, and federal agencies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize system performan...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Innovate and drive AI agent development for clinical trial platforms, integrating LLMs through the .NET stack. Engage in hands-on engineering to deliver end-to-end AI features, enhancing patient-centr...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in solving customer polymer processing challenges by leveraging a decade of expertise in polymer materials and scientific molding. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive product devel...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $143K *

Join a dynamic team as a Data Engineer, where you'll design and maintain data pipelines using SparkSQL and Pyspark. Your work will enhance data analysis efficiency, impacting industries and driving cu...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$99K - $167K *

Develop and maintain robust data pipelines using SparkSQL and Pyspark, ensuring high-quality data for analytics. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data analysis efficiency and support...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$148K - $190K *

Build and enhance our internal API layer, ensuring reliability and performance for services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement API contracts and improve developer experience while m...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team to shape the future of software engineering by leading AI-driven projects, mentoring engineers, and influencing product direction while ensuring high-quality outcomes across multip...

Utah, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career with a pivotal role overseeing commissioning for utility-scale PV and BESS projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless execution, optimize processes, and manage techn...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$171K - $300K *

Champion the evolution of a high-volume data platform, collaborating with engineering and product teams to enhance reliability and efficiency while mentoring senior engineers and driving innovative AI...

San Diego, CARemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $185K *

Empower engineering teams by designing and implementing security controls that enhance system integrity and reduce risk. Collaborate cross-functionally to create secure-by-default solutions, enabling...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$75K - $101K *

Grow your career with us as a Field Application Scientist, driving technical excellence and customer success through training, pre-sales support, and application expertise in forensic DNA workflows ac...

Nevada, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $125K *

Lead and manage diverse acoustics projects, mentoring team members while collaborating with top engineers and architects on high-impact designs across various sectors, including healthcare, education...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$91K - $114K *

Empower your career by joining a dynamic team as you manage project documentation, coordinate timelines, and drive innovative solutions while fostering a collaborative environment and mentoring others...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Lead the growth of national Power Generation and Transmission accounts. Develop strategic relationships, identify opportunities, and drive revenue through collaboration with internal teams and clients...

Olathe, KSRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$152K - $241K *

Develop and optimize high-performance GPU compiler backends, collaborating with global teams to enhance deep-learning technologies and ensure robust, maintainable solutions in a dynamic environment...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$147K - $500K+*

Engineer project success by leading Primavera P6 scheduling efforts, ensuring effective integration and governance of project schedules while providing expert guidance and support to project teams thr...

Upton, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$138K - $173K *

Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure high-quality software delivery. Lead and mentor a team of engineers while optimizing processes and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous impro...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $160K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of engineering by leading architectural decisions, mentoring talent, and driving scalable design within our technical ecosystem, while influencing product and engi...

San Jose, CARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $115K *

Unlock your potential as a full stack engineer, collaborating in an agile team to develop innovative applications and features, while leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance product offerin...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

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.