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Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or asimilarfield. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: (Preferred qualifications, certifications, and/or licenses) * 2+ years of ...

INTERN-R&D Lab Tech

Union City, TN · On-site

$15.25 - $20.25/hr

INTERN-R&D Lab Tech Category: Hourly 1st shift • Location: Tennessee (Union City) Titan Tire ... o Mechanical Engineering o Or a related field • Strong interest in polymers, materials science ...

Mechanical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$94K - $147K/yr

B.S. in mechanical, structural, or related engineering required. M.S. in engineering OR experience ... R&D. * Working proficiency with modern engineering analysis tools, including FEA (ANSYS, COMSOL ...

R/D Engineer II

Boston, MA

$113K - $155K/yr

A minimum of BS in Controls Engineering or equivalent (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering) with appropriate experience. MS or PhD strongly ...

Perform engineering analysis including mechanical, thermal, electrical and manufacturability assessments as applicable * Support prototype development, testing and validation analysis activities

The ideal candidate will have a Mechanical Engineering Degree a solid understanding MS office application, GD&T, mechanical drafting, DVP&R, DFMEA, and DRBFM methodologies. This person is patient ...

Showing results 41-60

Freelance R D Mechanical Engineer information

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$45.5K

$102.9K

$166.5K

How much do freelance r&d mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance r&d mechanical engineer in the United States is $102,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $126,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineer vs Contract Mechanical Engineer?

AspectFreelance R&D Mechanical EngineerContract Mechanical Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in mechanical engineering, relevant certifications, and experience in R&DSimilar credentials, often with additional industry-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, often remote or client-siteUsually on-site at client facilities or manufacturing plants for fixed contract periods
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by startups, research labs, and companies seeking specialized R&D expertiseEmployed by manufacturing firms, engineering consultancies, or as temporary staff

Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineers focus on innovative product development and research projects independently, while Contract Mechanical Engineers typically work on specific projects for a set period within a company or consultancy. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in work setup and employment context.

What cities are hiring for Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? The most popular types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs include:

R & D Engineer

Lightera

Sturbridge, MA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

We areseekinga highly motivatedengineer to lead and contribute to the development of optical fibermanufacturingprocesses. This role requiresexpertiseinchemical or opticalengineering, physics,materialsscience,or related fields todevelopfibermanufacturingtechnology. The ideal candidate will work on processdevelopment, and innovation in fibermanufacturingtechniques, collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance next-generation optical fiber technologies.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor's degree in physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or asimilarfield.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:(Preferred qualifications, certifications, and/or licenses)

  • 2+ years of experiencein process development, manufacturing, or related fields.
  • Opticalfiber or Semiconductormanufacturing background preferred.
  • Optical test,electrical, programming, and mechanicalaptitudeskills arehelpful in this role

ESSENTIALRESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Conduct research, propose experiments, and analyze data toaide in development of new products
  • Work with and lead project teams to develop new optical fibers and processes (preform manufacturing, glass processingand assembly, fiber draw,andfiber testing)
  • Collaborate with project teams to design and develop equipment and techniques for fiberprocessing
  • Design and conductdevelopmenttrials and experiments to achieve project milestones.
  • Document processes and develop standard operating procedurestotrain operators.
  • Be astrong,proactiveteam player with openness and willingness to contribute toward group goals and achievements.
  • Host meeting discussions, design reviews, and brainstorming sessions to build consensus on project or design direction

* Hiring Range:

$75,000 - $130,000

Please note that the final offer may vary within this range based on a candidates experience, skills, qualifications and internal equity considerations.

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan) for this position.