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Research And Development Engineer Jobs in Colorado

CANOPY A&D

R&D Engineer-Littleton,Colorado

Sedalia, CO

$140K/yr

Canopy Technologies is seeking an exceptional R&D Engineer to lead the development, integration, and flight validation of next-generation materials and payload systems for extreme environments. This ...

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Research And Development Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$21K

$101.5K

$158.8K

How much do research and development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development engineer in Colorado is $101,546.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,500.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research And Development Engineer vs Product Development Engineer?

AspectResearch And Development EngineerProduct Development Engineer
Primary FocusInnovating and exploring new technologies or conceptsDesigning, developing, and improving specific products
Work EnvironmentLabs, research facilities, early-stage projectsManufacturing, testing, and product launch phases
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, research experience, possibly advanced degreesEngineering degree, practical product design experience

Research And Development Engineers focus on creating new technologies and exploring innovative ideas, often working in labs and research settings. Product Development Engineers concentrate on transforming concepts into market-ready products, working closely with manufacturing and testing teams. Both roles require engineering backgrounds, but their core objectives and work environments differ significantly.

How much money do R&D engineers make?

Research and Development (R&D) engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior R&D engineers with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $130,000 annually.

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

To thrive as a Research and Development Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and often an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and project management systems is typically required, along with knowledge of industry-specific standards. Creativity, effective communication, and collaboration are crucial soft skills for innovation and teamwork. These skills enable R&D Engineers to design cutting-edge solutions, efficiently manage projects, and drive technological advancements in their industry.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or executive positions, or possessing rare expertise and certifications.

What Is a Research and Development Engineer?

A research and development engineer is responsible for conducting experiments and analyzing processes to determine better approaches to solving problems or product building. You can have this career in industries such as petroleum, aerospace, and mechanics. Your job duties include analyzing processes to find areas of improvement, conducting experiments to determine better approaches, and documenting findings so they can be shared with others. You may be required to use sophisticated tools such as computer-aided design software to create simulations and advanced microscopes for observing chemical reactions.

How does a Research and Development Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product development cycle?

Research and Development Engineers often work closely with teams such as product management, quality assurance, and manufacturing throughout the product development process. They contribute technical expertise during brainstorming sessions, share progress updates in regular meetings, and incorporate feedback from other departments to refine prototypes. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as R&D Engineers must ensure that their designs align with project requirements, regulatory standards, and production capabilities. This collaborative environment helps facilitate innovation while maintaining project timelines and product quality.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering with extensive experience and advanced skills can earn $500,000 or more annually. High compensation often involves leadership roles, bonuses, stock options, or working in high-demand industries requiring advanced certifications and expertise.

What does a research and development engineer do?

A research and development engineer designs, develops, and tests new products, processes, or technologies to improve existing offerings or create innovative solutions. They often work with scientific principles, use tools like CAD software, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring concepts to production. R&D engineers typically require strong problem-solving skills and may hold degrees in engineering or related fields.

What are Research and Development Engineers?

Research and Development (R&D) Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test new products, processes, or technologies. They work to innovate and improve existing products, often collaborating with other engineers, scientists, and product managers. Their responsibilities include conducting experiments, analyzing data, and ensuring that new developments meet industry standards and customer needs. R&D Engineers play a crucial role in keeping companies competitive by driving innovation and technological advancement.
More about Research And Development Engineer jobs
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What job categories do people searching Research And Development Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Research And Development Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Engineer jobs in CO? For Research And Development Engineer jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Research And Development Engineer jobs near you
Engineering Program Manager II/III

Engineering Program Manager II/III

Opterus Research and Development

Loveland, CO • On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Opterus
Opterus Research & Development is an innovative aerospace company based in Loveland, Colorado, specializing in deployable space structures and high-strain composite systems. We combine cutting-edge composite materials, origami-inspired architectures, and elegant engineering to deliver lightweight, high-performance structural systems for commercial, defense, and scientific missions.
Position Overview
The Engineering Program Manager will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of spacecraft hardware for a NASA flight program. You will be responsible for guiding program planning, schedules, budgets, technical maturity, risk management, and customer communication while also providing hands-on technical leadership at key decision points. Experience with space-qualified hardware, flight programs with NASA or other government customers, and complex aerospace mechanisms or deployable systems is strongly preferred.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Execution
  • Lead end-to-end execution of a novel flight hardware program, including planning, schedule development, cost tracking, and risk management.
  • Coordinate cross-functional engineering teams (mechanical, structures, manufacturing, systems, test).
  • Drive milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and ensure both technical and programmatic readiness.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact with NASA and other stakeholders, ensuring clear and timely communication.
  • Lead requirements definition and management activities: translate mission needs into traceable system and hardware requirements and oversee development of verification plans and artifacts.

Technical Ownership
  • Guide system architecture decisions and technical strategy for the development of spaceflight hardware and deployable structures.
  • Provide oversight for the design, analysis, prototyping, qualification, and acceptance of space-qualified mechanisms and structural systems.
  • Support system-level assessments, performance evaluations, and integration with spacecraft bus components.
  • Ensure alignment between engineering disciplines to meet structural, mechanical, environmental, and mission performance requirements.
  • Review and approve engineering documentation, design analyses, test procedures, and test reports.
  • Work with structures, mechanisms, and manufacturing teams to ensure manufacturability, repeatability, and robust production processes.
  • Support integration and test activities for flight hardware, including functional testing, deployment testing, and environmental qualifications consistent with NASA requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
  • Partner closely with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to ensure smooth production and delivery
  • Identify program inefficiencies and lead continuous improvement initiatives
  • Mentor engineers and contribute to the development of internal standards and best practices
  • Support sales activities including customer requirements discovery, concept and project planning, project estimating, and cost support
  • Contribute to company outreach activities including marketing and lead generation
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in spacecraft systems or hardware development
  • Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary aerospace hardware programs
  • Experience with space-qualified hardware and environmental test campaigns
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across technical and programmatic domains
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high levels of ownership and accountability
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting or leading NASA or DoD flight programs, or similar spaceflight mission development.
  • Familiarity with deployable structures, mechanisms, composite structures, or precision aerospace hardware.
  • Knowledge of spaceflight qualification processes (NASA, DoD, or commercial).
  • PMP certification or formal project management training.
  • Background in small-company or rapid-development engineering environments.
Compensation and Benefits
  • Flexible and hybrid work schedules (two or more days in office per week)
  • Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance
  • Opterus pays 100% of employees' premiums and 70% of dependents' premiums
  • 401K matching up to 4%
  • 9 paid holidays

Engineering Program Manager Level II: $110,000-$135,000/per year
Engineering Program Manager Level III: $130,000-$160,000/per year

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