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Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Waabi

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Waabi

Research Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site +1

$122K - $215K/yr

Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech. ... To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing ...

Chickasaw Nation Industries

Research Engineer

Dothan, AL · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

SUMMARYThe Research Engineer i s an entry-level position in the field of research and development. They work under the guidance of senior researchers or engineers to support research projects ...

Cni

Research Engineer

Dothan, AL · On-site

SUMMARY The Research Engineer is an entry-level position in the field of research and development. They work under the guidance of senior researchers or engineers to support research projects ...

Sunray IT Inc

Dev/Research Engineer 2

Tucson, AZ · On-site

Dev/Research Engineer 2 Location: Tucson, AZ Work Type: On-site, full-time Start Date: September 7, ... Testing/validation experience in heavy equipment, automotive, or industrial machinery

Ford Motor Company

Research Engineer

Dearborn, MI · Hybrid

$74K - $124K/yr

... Engineering, to establish targets and optimize technologies. Collaborate with internal research ... related field Automotive industry experience, including cross-functional work experience in ...

Ford Motor Company

Research Engineer

Dearborn, MI · Hybrid

$74K - $124K/yr

... related field Automotive industry experience, including cross-functional work experience in ... Engineering, to establish targets and optimize technologies. Collaborate with internal research ...

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Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer information

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$30K

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How much do entry level automotive research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level automotive research engineer in the United States is $69,362.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level automotive research engineer do?

An Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer assists with the design, development, and testing of automotive systems and components. They typically support senior engineers by conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results to improve vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. Their work may involve using computer-aided design (CAD) software, running simulations, and working with prototypes. Entry level engineers often collaborate with other departments, such as manufacturing and quality assurance, to ensure projects meet technical specifications and industry standards.

What are some typical projects an entry level automotive research engineer might work on during their first year?

As an Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer, you can expect to be involved in projects such as conducting testing on new vehicle components, analyzing data from prototype evaluations, and assisting in the development of innovative automotive technologies. You'll often collaborate with senior engineers, designers, and manufacturing teams to support ongoing research initiatives. These projects help you build a strong foundation in problem-solving and technical skills, and provide valuable exposure to cross-functional teamwork within the automotive industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level automotive research engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer, you generally need a bachelor's degree in mechanical or automotive engineering, strong analytical skills, and foundational knowledge of vehicle systems. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools like MATLAB or Simulink, and basic laboratory testing equipment is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and present research findings clearly. These abilities are essential for developing innovative automotive solutions, ensuring safety, and meeting industry standards.

What is the difference between Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer vs Entry Level Automotive Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Automotive Research EngineerEntry Level Automotive Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical EngineeringBachelor's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Industrial Design Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, testing facilities, R&D departmentsDesign studios, CAD labs, prototype workshops
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, research institutionsAutomotive manufacturers, design firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Automotive Research Engineers focus on testing, analyzing, and developing new automotive technologies, often working in labs and R&D settings. In contrast, Entry Level Automotive Design Engineers primarily work on creating vehicle designs using CAD software and prototypes. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in daily tasks and work environments. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right entry point in the automotive industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Research Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Automotive Research Engineer jobs are:

Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Automotive Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,362 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

Research Engineer

Waabi

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$122K - $215K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Waabi, founded by AI visionary Raquel Urtasun, is the leader in Physical AI. With a world-class team, we're unlocking the next era of autonomous transportation with technology that's powering commercial autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Waabi is backed by and partners with world leaders in AI, automotive, logistics, and deep tech.
 
With offices in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, and Pittsburgh, Waabi is growing quickly and looking for diverse, innovative and collaborative candidates who want to impact the world in a positive way. To learn more visit: www.waabi.ai

As a Research Engineer, you will be at the forefront of advancing and deploying artificial intelligence algorithms for our self-driving vehicles. You will work closely with our team of world-renowned scientists and engineers specializing in deep learning, computer vision, and self-driving technologies to develop cutting-edge solutions that enable our vehicles to understand and navigate the world around them. We value originality, innovation, and a commitment to rigorous experimental validation and code quality as we strive to bring research ideas into production and push the boundaries of self-driving technology. Senior engineers are welcome to apply.
 
You will...
  • Prototype, evaluate, and iterate on solutions, using real-world data and simulations, to improve the accuracy, robustness, and safety of our self-driving algorithms.
  • Formulate problems and propose pragmatic and long-term solutions based on research insights, leveraging your expertise in deep learning, computer vision, and self-driving technologies.
  • Support deploying solutions to our production systems, collaborating closely with platform teams to ensure seamless integration of research findings into our self-driving system.
  • Champion engineering excellence, ensuring high-quality, well structured and tested code.
  • Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team solving problems related to perception, motion forecasting, planning, traffic modeling and sensor simulation, integrating research findings into our self-driving system and contributing to the development of a unified self-driving platform.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, and self-driving technologies, and apply insights from the literature.
  • Work with large datasets from various sources as well as Waabi World, our high-fidelity simulator.
  • Contribute to the publication of research findings in conferences as well as Waabi's blog.
 
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's in computer science, engineering, machine learning, or a related technical discipline.
  • Experience working on applied research projects.
  • Passion for taking research ideas and turning them into practical solutions for real-world applications.
  • Solid understanding of computing fundamentals, including code efficiency.
  • Proficient in Python programming with a focus on writing high-quality, well-structured, and tested code.
  • Comfortable working with large datasets for machine learning applications.
 
Bonus/nice to have:
  • Master/PhD in machine learning, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience in shipping machine learning features/models into production.
  • Strong grasp of machine learning literature, including current trends and state-of-the-art techniques.
  • Previous experience in self-driving technology or related fields.
  • Publications in top-tier conferences or journals related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, or self-driving technology.
  • Experience in working with platform teams and collaborating with research teams to implement and validate deep learning models.
  • Solid experience with concurrent, parallel, and distributed computing techniques for efficient computation.
  • Proficiency in Pytorch, Rust, C++ and/or CUDA.
The US yearly salary range for this role is: $122,000 - $215,000 USD in addition to competitive perks & benefits. Waabi US Inc.’s yearly salary ranges are determined based on several factors in accordance with the Company’s compensation practices. The salary base range is reflective of the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations.  Note: The Company provides additional compensation for employees in this role, including equity incentive awards and an annual performance bonus.

Perks/Benefits:
  • Competitive compensation and equity awards.
  • Health and Wellness benefits encompassing Medical, Dental and Vision coverage (for full-time employees only).
  • Unlimited Vacation.
  • Flexible hours and Work from Home support.
  • Daily drinks, snacks and catered meals (when in office).
  • Regularly scheduled team building activities and social events both on-site, off-site & virtually.
  • As we grow, this list continues to evolve! 
 
Waabi is a technology start-up building technologies to transform the way the world moves. Join our talented team to be a part of the future and to make an impact!
 
Waabi is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and accessible workplace for all our employees. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities, across race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, caregiver status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We make workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please let our recruiting team know.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.