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Applied Research Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Labelbox

Applied Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA

... Applied Research at Labelbox builds the benchmarks and data that drive the next generation of foundational agentic capabilities. We are looking for exceptional researchers and research engineers to ...

Drata Inc

Applied Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Drata is seeking an Applied Research Engineer to drive the quality and effectiveness of our AI systems through rigorous experimentation, evaluation, and applied research. This is a research-focused ...

Labelbox

Applied Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

... Applied Research at Labelbox builds the benchmarks and data that drive the next generation of foundational agentic capabilities. We are looking for exceptional researchers and research engineers to ...

Hirevouch

Applied Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Role Overview As an Applied Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge systems and methods to create, analyze, and leverage high-quality human-in-the-loop data for ...

Drata Inc

Senior Applied Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$123.10K - $169.10K/yr

Drata is seeking a Senior Applied Research Engineer to drive the quality and effectiveness of our AI systems through rigorous experimentation, evaluation, and applied research. This is a research ...

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Drata Inc

Senior Applied Research Engineer 2

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$123.10K - $169.10K/yr

Drata is seeking a Senior Applied Research Engineer to drive the quality and effectiveness of our AI systems through rigorous experimentation, evaluation, and applied research. This is a research ...

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$106K

$142.5K

How much do applied research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for applied research engineer in the United States is $106,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Applied Research Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Applied Research Engineer, you need a strong background in mathematics, computer science, and engineering principles, usually evidenced by an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Python or C++), machine learning frameworks, and experience with simulation or data analysis tools are typically required. Critical thinking, creativity, and excellent problem-solving skills set standout candidates apart, along with the ability to clearly communicate complex findings. These skills ensure the effective development and implementation of innovative solutions that bridge theoretical research and practical engineering applications.

How does an Applied Research Engineer typically collaborate with product development teams to bring research solutions into production?

Applied Research Engineers often work closely with cross-functional product development teams to translate experimental models into scalable and robust solutions. This involves frequent meetings to align research objectives with business needs, adapting prototypes for real-world constraints, and providing technical guidance to ensure seamless integration. Effective communication and documentation are essential, as is the ability to iterate quickly based on feedback from software engineers, data scientists, and product managers. This collaborative environment helps bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical, user-facing applications.

What are applied research engineers?

Applied research engineers are professionals who bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications. They take scientific discoveries and innovative concepts from research and develop real-world solutions, often creating prototypes, refining processes, or improving technologies. Their work can span various industries, including technology, manufacturing, and healthcare, and they frequently collaborate with both researchers and product development teams. Applied research engineers play a crucial role in turning ideas into tangible products or services that address specific needs.

What is the difference between Applied Research Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectApplied Research EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; often requires experience in research or developmentBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields; often requires strong analytical and programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, technology companies focusing on product developmentBusiness environments, analytics teams, consulting firms analyzing data for insights
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, manufacturing firmsFinance, healthcare, marketing, tech industries

Applied Research Engineers focus on developing new technologies and prototypes through research, often working in R&D settings. Data Scientists analyze and interpret complex data to inform business decisions. While both roles require technical skills and programming knowledge, Applied Research Engineers are more involved in creating innovative solutions, whereas Data Scientists focus on data analysis and modeling.

More about Applied Research Engineer jobs
What job categories do people searching Applied Research Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Applied Research Engineer jobs are:
Applied Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Applied Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,012 per year, or $51 per hour.

Applied Research Engineer

My HR Solutions

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Applied Research Engineer - San Francisco

As an applied research engineer at Confidential, you’ll build high performance building blocks and large scale pipelines to understand video with high precision at internet scale. Often this involves working on ambiguous research problems and finding clever techniques to solve them. You will be working in the computer vision, audio processing, and text processing domains. You’re likely a good fit if you’re comfortable working with models + APIs and squeezing every drop of performance out of them through clever pre/post-processing, parallelism, pipelining, inference optimization, and occasionally fine-tuning.

We are seeking an innovative and passionate Applied Research Engineer to join our dynamic team in San Francisco. In this cutting-edge role, you will work at the intersection of engineering and applied research, utilizing advanced methodologies to drive technological advancements. As a crucial member of our organization, you'll contribute to projects that aim to solve real-world problems and enhance product development, shaping the future of our industry.

Your expertise will be vital in exploring new technologies and applying research findings to practical applications. At our company, we foster a collaborative environment that encourages creativity, offers competitive growth opportunities, and values contributions from every team member. If you are driven by curiosity and strive to make a tangible impact in your field, we invite you to apply.

Responsibilities
  • Conduct applied research to develop innovative solutions that meet market needs.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate theoretical concepts into practical engineering applications.
  • Utilize advanced data analysis techniques to interpret research findings and inform decision-making.
  • Develop prototypes and models to validate research results and feasibility of new technologies.
  • Present research findings and progress updates to stakeholders through reports and presentations.
  • Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in applied research.
  • Lead experimental design, testing, and evaluation to ensure product quality and performance.
  • Contribute to the publication of research papers and patent applications when applicable.
  • Mentor junior engineers and interns in research methodologies and project execution.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas for future projects.
Requirements
  • 2+ years of experience in computer vision or audio processing
  • Strong Python developer with hands-on experience in PyTorch or similar ML frameworks
  • Excellent communication skills with customers and external teams
  • Write clean, maintainable code Deep passion for video domain and media technologies
  • Motivated by building end-to-end products
  • Break down problems from customer level impact to building blocks
  • In-person at SF HQ
  • Creative mindset and a passion for innovation in technology.