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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$81K - $103K *

Unlock potential by developing innovative embedded software solutions that transform advanced radio hardware into intelligent communication systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle r...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Advance your career by designing and refining laser diode fabrication processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance device performance and reliability, driving innovation in emerging m...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$86K - $165K *

Lead the charge in tooling engineering by designing and optimizing tools for aerospace production, ensuring quality and efficiency through collaboration with cross-functional teams and adherence to in...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Drive innovation in power-conversion hardware, collaborating across teams to design and validate high-performance electrical systems for cutting-edge electrochemical reactors, ensuring efficiency, saf...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by driving radar simulation design and implementation, enhancing mission-critical tools for warfighter training. Collaborate with teams to integrate advanced models and data, ensuring...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$74K - $170K *

Engage in managing engineering development processes, coordinating multiple projects, and ensuring timely product implementation while optimizing resources and budgets across functions...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Transform your career by leading innovative mechanical systems design across diverse projects, from commercial to mission critical. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality eng...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$80K - $95K *

Transform user insights into innovative design solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet client objectives. Leverage research and design tools to create impactful prototypes that en...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $180K *

Empower a high-performing engineering team by leading application development initiatives, driving operational excellence, and collaborating with strategic customers to enhance product realization and...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$132K - $251K *

Unlock your potential as a key driver in developing airborne algorithms, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance precision landing systems. Engage in the full systems engineering lifecyc...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in transitioning prototype developments to production-ready systems, ensuring quality and efficiency in engineering processes while managing product lifecycle and technical documentati...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$175K - $200K *

Join a team that's pioneering high-power electronics design for aerospace systems. Lead the development of innovative power conversion hardware, collaborating across disciplines to ensure mission-read...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the design and development of advanced RF systems, optimizing performance and manufacturability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and drive production readin...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Optimize manufacturing processes for electro-mechanical systems, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective production. Collaborate with design engineers, drive continuous improvement, and lead teams to en...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $120K *

Drive innovation by designing, developing, and modifying software systems while coordinating installations and ensuring they meet specifications. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-quality...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Empower project success by leading structural design efforts, managing teams, and ensuring quality across all phases of engineering projects. Collaborate with clients and disciplines to deliver innova...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$116K - $144K *

Bring your expertise to design and develop innovative customer products and tooling. Collaborate across teams to ensure quality and efficiency in mechanical design, while driving continuous improvemen...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$102K - $149K *

Develop innovative engineering solutions while leading projects that enhance technological capabilities. Collaborate across teams to meet customer expectations and drive continuous improvement in manu...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$108K - $130K *

Drive your career with a pivotal role in embedded software development. Lead technical activities to design and influence system architecture while ensuring robust operation and timely project complet...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $232K *

Drive innovation as a Yield Product Development Engineer, enhancing semiconductor processes and yield through data analysis, collaboration, and advanced methodologies. Your expertise will shape the fu...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$122K - $232K *

Innovate within a dynamic team as you enhance semiconductor yield through advanced data analysis, process improvements, and collaboration. Drive solutions that elevate manufacturability and yield acro...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$200K - $240K *

Transform the future of space technology by providing expert oversight on RF payload development, ensuring mission success through innovative solutions and collaboration with contractors and customers...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a dynamic engineering team to design and support multi-security-level systems, focusing on secure network architectures and virtualization technologies. Collaborate on system integration, testing...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$167K - $226K *

Transform complex systems by leading architecture and development for AI-native products. Collaborate across teams to drive technical decisions, ensuring robust, scalable solutions that adapt to rapid...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$139K - $188K *

Lead the architecture and development of innovative AI-native systems, blending cloud infrastructure, machine learning, and hardware. Collaborate across teams to drive technical decisions and mentor e...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

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.