ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level R&D Engineer Jobs in North Carolina (NOW HIRING)

ADDiTEC

R&D Controls Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

... R&D. We value mindset over checkbox credentials. If you have a solid controls or automation ... Hands-on PLC programming experience (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or similar industrial ...

ADDiTEC

Electrical Controls Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$72K - $96K/yr

This role combines PLC/IPC programming, electrical hardware design, and advanced system integration ... Comfortable wearing multiple hats in an R&D-focused, fast-moving environment * Strong problem ...

D.R. Horton, Inc

Loan Processor

Durham, NC · On-site

$18 - $24.25/hr

D.R. Horton, Inc., the largest homebuilder in the U.S. , was founded in 1978 and is a publicly ... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ...

D.R. Horton, Inc

Loan Processor

Durham, NC · On-site

$18 - $24.25/hr

D.R. Horton, Inc., the largest homebuilder in the U.S. , was founded in 1978 and is a publicly ... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ...

D.R. Horton, Inc

Online Sales Concierge

Asheville, NC · On-site

$14.75 - $19/hr

D.R. Horton, Inc., the largest homebuilder in the U.S., was founded in 1978 and is a publicly ... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ...

D.R. Horton, Inc

Loan Processor

Durham, NC

$18 - $24.25/hr

D.R. Horton, Inc., the largest homebuilder in the U.S. , was founded in 1978 and is a publicly ... the entry-level and first time move-up markets. The Company also provides mortgage financing and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsR&D Engineer JobsEntry Level R&D Engineer JobsEntry Level R&D Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

Entry Level R D Engineer information

See North Carolina salary details

$27.3K

$63K

$107.2K

How much do entry level r&d engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level r&d engineer in North Carolina is $63,036.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,800.00 and $71,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Entry Level R&D Engineer do?

An Entry Level R&D Engineer assists in the research, design, and development of new products or processes within a company. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and helping to solve technical challenges. Their responsibilities may also include preparing reports, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and contributing to the improvement of existing products. This role is ideal for recent graduates looking to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory or product development environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level R&D Engineer vs Entry Level Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEntry Level R&D EngineerEntry Level Mechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often in R&D or related fieldsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product development teams, innovation centersManufacturing plants, design offices, testing facilities
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing firms, research institutionsAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing industries
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level R&D Engineers focus on developing new products and technologies in research settings, while Entry Level Mechanical Engineers typically work on designing, testing, and improving mechanical systems in manufacturing or industrial environments. Both roles require a bachelor's degree and are common entry points in engineering industries, but their daily tasks and work environments differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level R&D Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level R&D Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, strong analytical skills, and a solid grasp of scientific and mathematical principles. Familiarity with CAD software, laboratory equipment, and data analysis tools is often required, and knowledge of industry-specific standards or certifications can be beneficial. Effective problem-solving, creativity, and strong teamwork and communication abilities help individuals stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are important because they enable engineers to develop innovative solutions, collaborate efficiently with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to the advancement of new products and technologies.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an Entry Level R&D Engineer?

As an Entry Level R&D Engineer, you will typically work on a variety of projects that support the development and improvement of new products or technologies. Your responsibilities may include conducting experiments, analyzing data, assisting with prototype design, and collaborating with more experienced engineers and cross-functional teams. You'll also have opportunities to contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions and may be involved in documenting research findings. This role provides hands-on experience and is an excellent way to develop technical skills while learning industry best practices.
What cities in North Carolina are hiring for Entry Level R&D Engineer jobs? Cities in North Carolina with the most Entry Level R&D Engineer job openings:
Entry Level R D Engineer jobs near you
R&D Controls Engineer

R&D Controls Engineer

ADDiTEC

Durham, NC • On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

About the Role
We are seeking a driven and curious R&D Controls Engineer to join our team developing next-generation metal additive manufacturing systems, including Liquid Metal Jetting (LMJ) and Laser-Assisted Directed Energy Deposition (DED) 3D printers. 
You'll work at the intersection of laser physics, thermal control, CNC/PLC programming, and real-time systems. The role involves designing control architectures that coordinate sensors and actuators at interpolation cycle rates, developing advanced waveform generation for electromagnetic coil drivers, and collaborating with an external automation integrator (similar to a CSI-type relationship) to push the Siemens Sinumerik platform for additive manufacturing R&D. 
We value mindset over checkbox credentials. If you have a solid controls or automation foundation and the self-motivation to learn new systems quickly, this role will give you the opportunity to work on problems that very few teams in the world are tackling. 
Key Responsibilities 
  • Design, implement, and tune closed-loop control systems for real-time thermal management during metal additive manufacturing. 
  • Develop PLC logic and CNC synchronized actions for coordinating printing. 
  • Implement PID and advanced control strategies (feedforward, adaptive gain scheduling). 
  • Architect and configure CNC/PLC analog and digital I/O for integrating sensors (pyrometers, thermocouples) and actuators (laser power supplies, shutters, micro-motor pyrometer steering) 
  • Develop and validate control algorithms that adapt to varying print speeds, toolpath geometries, and thermal conditions 
  • Develop advanced waveform generation for electromagnetic coil drivers — including sub-thresholding pulse patterns, variable pulse widths, and complex frequency profiles using the Prio card or equivalent hardware 
  • Collaborate with the print optimization and path planning team to ensure control strategies align with toolpath direction, speed profiles, and feature-type transitions 
  • Serve as the internal bridge to automation integrators and Siemens support for CNC/PLC platform issues 
  • Instrument and characterize system dynamics — measure plant transfer functions, identify thermal time constants, and size controller bandwidth accordingly 
  • Support machine commissioning, integration testing, and design-of-experiments for process development 
  • Maintain rigorous documentation of control architectures, tuning parameters, commissioning procedures, and test results 
Required Qualifications 
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering with controls focus (or equivalent demonstrated experience) 
  • 2+ years of experience designing and implementing closed-loop control systems in industrial or R&D environments 
  • Strong foundation in classical control theory: PID tuning, stability analysis, frequency response, and system identification 
  • Hands-on PLC programming experience (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or similar industrial automation platforms) 
  • Experience with real-time sensor integration (pyrometers, thermocouples, photodiodes, or similar high-speed analog instrumentation) 
  • Experience configuring and commissioning industrial motion control systems (multi-axis CNC, servo drives, or motion controllers) 
  • Ability to read, develop, and troubleshoot electrical schematics and control panel wiring 
  • Proficiency with at least one industrial communication protocol (EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP) 
Preferred Qualifications 
  • Experience with Siemens Sinumerik CNC systems — synchronized actions ($A_INA, $A_OUTA, WHENEVER/DO), structured text, machine data configuration 
  • Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT or similar real-time platforms 
  • Familiarity with laser systems — power modulation, analog control interfaces, safety interlocks 
  • Experience with non-contact temperature measurement (pyrometry) including spectral filtering and emissivity considerations 
  • Background in thermal process control (welding, heat treatment, laser processing, or additive manufacturing) 
  • Knowledge of advanced control methods: feedforward compensation, Smith predictors for transport delay, gain scheduling, or model-predictive control 
  • Electronics design experience — particularly H-bridge circuits, high-current motor drivers, or power electronics 
  • FPGA or microcontroller programming for custom waveform generation or high-speed signal processing 
  • Familiarity with G-code/CNC part program structure and post-processor development 
  • Experience with machine safety systems (STO, SS1, SLS) and relevant standards (IEC 62443, ISO 13849) 
Mindset & Attributes (What Matters Most) 
  • Curious and self-motivated— the kind of engineer who hangs around, asks questions, and tries to figure things out without being told. This is the #1 trait we're looking for 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset — able to diagnose issues across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains simultaneously 
  • Self-directed and resourceful in an R&D environment where requirements evolve and solutions aren't predefined 
  • Comfortable iterating rapidly: prototype control logic, test on hardware, analyze data, refine 
  • Clear communicator who can explain control system behavior to mechanical engineers, process engineers, and leadership 
  • Collaborative and low-ego — willing to support builds, run experiments, and do hands-on work alongside design work 
  • Comfortable working with external vendors and automation integrators as technical counterpart 
  • Detail-oriented with a systems-level perspective — understands how a control loop interacts with toolpath planning, thermal physics, and part quality 
What We Offer 
  • Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package 
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge metal additive manufacturing technology at the frontier of closed-loop process control 
  • Direct impact on product development — your control systems directly determine print quality and material properties 
  • A collaborative, low-ego team environment focused on innovation and execution 
  • Exposure to multidisciplinary challenges spanning controls, laser physics, materials science, and CNC systems 
  • A culture that values curiosity, initiative, and continuous improvement 
Even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we strongly encourage you to apply. We'relooking for engineers with the right mindset — people who are curious, self-driven, and excited to learn. If you have a solid technical foundation and the motivation to push boundaries, our team will provide the guidance and resources to get you up to speed quickly. The right attitude and aptitude matter far more than checking every box.