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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lead Electrical Engineer 1 - Energy & Industrial Group
$118K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading electrical engineering projects in power generation and industrial facilities. Collaborate with teams to design, troubleshoot, and optimize electrical systems while ensurin...
2 weeks ago
Lead Electrical Engineer 1 - Energy & Industrial Group
$118K - $180K *
Elevate your career by leading electrical engineering projects in power generation and industrial facilities. Collaborate with teams to design, troubleshoot, and optimize electrical systems while ensu...
2 weeks ago
$78K - $117K *
Optimize electrical PCB design and packaging for global actuation products, ensuring cost-efficiency while maintaining quality. Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering teams to validate, test...
4 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Power Generation Systems
$110K - $130K *
Tackle complex mechanical challenges by designing and building advanced power-generation subsystems. Collaborate on system integration and rapid prototyping in a fast-paced environment, ensuring desig...
2 weeks ago
Quality Engineering Specialist
$80K - $95K *
Elevate product quality by leading investigations, driving root cause analysis, and ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing proces...
2 weeks ago
$115K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to design innovative power supplies for various applications. Collaborate on engineering challenges, develop systems, and enhance customer satisfaction through meaningful contribut...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K *
Join a dynamic team to lead New Product Development and engineering initiatives. Drive technical decisions, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and ensure compliance with customer and certification s...
Yesterday
$100K - $160K *
Join a team that's dedicated to designing innovative mechanical systems for building projects. Leverage your expertise to ensure code compliance and efficiency while mentoring junior staff and collabo...
5 days ago
Principal Protection & Control Engineer
$120K - $135K *
Transform the energy sector as a Principal Protection & Controls Engineer. Lead protection design and enhance automation for impactful utility projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure compl...
4 weeks ago
$125K - $145K *
Drive innovation in cross-functional product design, aligning hardware, firmware, and cloud teams to deliver cutting-edge traffic management solutions. Champion system architecture and ensure discipli...
1 week ago
$130K - $180K *
Transform the field of structural engineering by delivering innovative solutions for equipment support systems in semiconductor environments while ensuring code compliance and collaboration with proje...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Optimize the AI core systems transforming public records into actionable data. Collaborate with research and engineering to enhance scalability, efficiency, and accuracy across national applications...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading project coordination and documentation efforts, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence. Collaborate with teams to foster innovation and maintain strong client relati...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize project outcomes by coordinating documentation, managing change processes, and supporting team collaboration. Drive client engagement and ensure adherence to budget and quality standards whil...
1 week ago
Geotechnical Engineer - Entry Level (Hybrid)
$76K - $87K *
Join a team that's shaping innovative geotechnical solutions focused on mine tailings and coal ash management. Leverage your engineering expertise to drive impactful projects from analysis to design i...
3 weeks ago
Geotechnical Engineer - Entry Level (Hybrid)
$76K - $87K *
Elevate your career by leading geotechnical projects focusing on mine tailings and coal ash storage, while providing innovative solutions and support across diverse teams and clients in a collaborativ...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $120K *
Join a team that's poised to lead geostructural projects and support all phases of execution. Combine technical expertise with field coordination for optimal project lifecycle management from planning...
3 weeks ago
Design Engineer for RF Heterogeneous Integration
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing groundbreaking RF heterogeneous integration technologies, contributing to high-frequency and ultra-high-speed systems for diverse applications, and collaborating across m...
Reposted 1 week ago
Staff Engineer - Processor Verification and Compiler Validation
$120K - $183K *
Elevate your career by validating cutting-edge RISC-V processor architectures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure correct operation of hardware and software in safety-critical control s...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K - $150K *
Transform data engineering practices by leading innovative projects that enhance data sharing and analysis across organizations, driving mission-critical insights and collaboration within a dynamic te...
Yesterday
$100K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to execute RF test plans and procedures. Collaborate with experienced engineers, gain hands-on experience, and develop your skills in RF measurements, troubleshooting, and data ana...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Advance engineering excellence by leading a cross-functional team in delivering innovative gas turbine projects. Foster collaboration with stakeholders to ensure on-time completion and adherence to te...
Reposted 1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Build robust software solutions by developing application and test code, while steering implementation decisions in a collaborative Agile environment. Contribute to complex architectures using modern...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $120K *
Innovate with us to deliver engineering solutions for diverse projects. As a key member of our team, you'll establish system requirements, perform analyses, and prepare technical specifications, contr...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $140K *
Drive technical leadership for customer deployments, ensuring solutions meet requirements from design to delivery. Collaborate with teams to resolve issues and maintain quality throughout the project...
2 weeks ago
What is a Research Engineer?
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?
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?
Research Engineers are hired across technology, AI, robotics, biotechnology, healthcare, manufacturing, academia, and research laboratories, among other sectors.
How much do Research Engineers earn?
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?
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.