Senior R&D Engineer Jobs

Explore senior research and development engineering opportunities where you can turn technical insight into products, processes, and technologies. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced engineers find roles that match their expertise and career goals.

What Does a Senior R&D Engineer Do?

Senior R&D engineers lead or contribute to the research, design, testing, and refinement of new products and technologies. They may define experiments, build prototypes, analyze results, solve complex engineering challenges, and collaborate with product, manufacturing, and business teams to move ideas toward practical applications.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek a bachelor’s or advanced degree in an engineering discipline, along with substantial experience in research, product development, or a related field. Relevant strengths may include technical design, prototyping, data analysis, experimental methods, project leadership, and clear communication. Specific requirements vary by industry and role.

Industries and Career Opportunities

Senior R&D engineers work across industries such as software, electronics, medical devices, energy, aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing. Job titles and responsibilities vary, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as materials, hardware, systems, process development, or product innovation.

Find Senior R&D Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Browse vetted senior R&D engineering roles on Ladders and discover opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Compare positions by industry, location, and responsibilities to identify a role that fits your experience and next career move.

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$214K - $220K *

Join a team that's redefining hardware design for high-performance systems. Lead innovative projects from concept to production, collaborating with top-tier partners to ensure reliability and manufact...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the development of software systems for autonomous aviation, managing architecture, integration, and performance across airborne, ground, and cloud environments to enhance operation and reliabili...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

$150K - $180K *

Develop and optimize high-performance software systems using Rust, focusing on Linux environments and distributed applications. Collaborate on architecture and enhance software quality through modern...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $195K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of PCIe technology, enhancing high-speed communication between hardware components. Collaborate with engineers to optimize performance and reliability in cutting-ed...

Vancouver, BCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $300K *

Transform the future of cloud-native applications by designing and developing scalable web solutions. Leverage your expertise in full stack development and cloud technologies to drive innovation and o...

Boston, MARemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Transform customer engagement by providing expert pre-sales technical support, leading complex solution development, and delivering impactful presentations to ensure tailored solutions meet client nee...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Elevate software development by integrating AI-powered coding practices into enterprise solutions. Collaborate with teams to enhance productivity, code quality, and testing through innovative AI tools...

Nova Scotia, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$157K - $174K *

Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $207K *

Drive innovative mechanical and thermal design solutions in advanced liquid cooling systems while leading a skilled team. This role involves collaboration, technical leadership, and project management...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$155K - $185K *

Transform the technology landscape by leading cross-functional teams to enhance Medicaid Enterprise Systems, driving system architecture improvements and mentoring engineers towards high-quality, secu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$272K - $431K *

Lead the charge in architecting and scaling data acquisition infrastructure for foundation models. Collaborate across teams to enhance web crawling, ingestion, and data quality, ensuring reliable, hig...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$138K - $184K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of mission critical facilities by leading electrical design projects. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure high availability and efficiency in data center inf...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $160K *

Drive innovation in backend and data engineering, leading a team to build robust Python services and APIs for a next-gen wargaming platform. Balance technical leadership with hands-on coding to delive...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$208K - $244K *

Accelerate progress at a leading multi-product company by owning the architecture of shared services. Drive innovation in customer identity, commerce, and billing platforms while mentoring senior engi...

Austin, TXRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$134K - $205K *

Shape the future of energy by leading a structural engineering team on innovative nuclear projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and apply your expertise in structural d...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$154K - $260K *

Transform edge AI solutions by leading a talented engineering team. Drive the strategy for embedded systems and machine learning, ensuring impactful deployment of intelligent safety features for real...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $165K *

Shape your career by leading the onboarding and management of engineering tools, ensuring effective integration and sustainability across teams in a dynamic startup environment, fostering innovation a...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$135K - $160K *

Drive the development of advanced machine learning systems for autonomous trucks, leading a team in perception capabilities. Oversee the complete lifecycle from data requirements to deployment, ensuri...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion the maintenance and support of existing software products while ensuring stability and responsiveness to customer needs. Collaborate across teams to enhance features and contribute to future...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Unlock your potential by driving strategic initiatives and M&A activities through in-depth research, analysis, and collaboration with senior leadership to inform corporate decisions and shape the comp...

United StatesRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $250K *

Lead the charge in building high-throughput systems as you manage a team of engineers. Drive technical excellence and team growth while collaborating across functions to deliver innovative solutions i...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $180K *

Optimize geomechanical solutions for mining projects by integrating data, developing models, and providing technical recommendations. Collaborate with a diverse team to enhance project outcomes and me...

Ontario, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$125K - $150K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative remedial systems design solutions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, providing technical leadership and strategic direction for diverse environmental p...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$174K - $252K *

Lead the development of large-scale infrastructure solutions, optimizing cloud technologies and enhancing software products. Collaborate with teams to deliver mission-critical services for diverse cus...

Cambridge, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior R&D Engineer do?question toggle

    A Senior R&D Engineer researches, designs, tests, and improves products, processes, or technologies. Responsibilities may include planning experiments, developing prototypes, analyzing results, solving technical problems, and working with cross-functional teams.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Senior R&D Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but employers commonly look for an engineering degree, substantial relevant experience, and skills in areas such as design, testing, prototyping, data analysis, and project leadership. Some positions require specialized industry or technical expertise.

  • Which industries hire Senior R&D Engineers?question toggle

    Senior R&D Engineers are hired in industries including software, electronics, medical devices, energy, aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing.

  • How much do Senior R&D Engineer jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation depends on factors such as industry, location, specialization, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.

  • Where can I find Senior R&D Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Senior R&D Engineer listings on Ladders to explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more.