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Research And Development Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

NorthEastern

Research Scientist

Burlington, MA

The R&D Engineer is expected to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the successful execution of R&D projects. Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a ...

NorthEastern

Senior Research Scientist

Burlington, MA

$107K - $136K/yr

The R&D Engineer is expected to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the successful execution of R&D projects. Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a ...

NorthEastern

Sr Research Scientist

Burlington, MA

$107K - $136K/yr

The R&D Engineer is expected to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the successful execution of R&D projects. Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a ...

Northeastern University

Sr Research Scientist

Burlington, MA · On-site

$107K - $136K/yr

The R&D Engineer is expected to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the successful execution of R&D projects. Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a ...

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All JobsResearch And Development Engineer JobsResearch And Development Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Research And Development Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$21.7K

$104.9K

$164K

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

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development engineer in Boston, MA is $104,915.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,200.00 and $127,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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 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.

Is research and development engineer a good career?

A research and development engineer is a valuable role focused on innovating and improving products or processes, often requiring strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge of engineering tools. It can offer a challenging and rewarding career with opportunities for advancement in various industries such as technology, manufacturing, and healthcare.
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Cities near Boston, MA with the most Research And Development Engineer job openings:

Research And Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,915 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Temporary R&D Software Engineer

NorthEastern

Burlington, MA

$35/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

About the Opportunity

The Kostas Research Institute (KRI) at Northeastern University (NU) - a rapidly growing institute that conducts cutting-edge applied R&D - is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic part-time, temporary, and non-benefitted Research & Development (R&D) Engineer with expertise in Software Engineering. The R&D Engineer is expected to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the successful execution of R&D projects.

Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a software engineer for a wide range of projects involving machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), including autonomy, sensing and communication, and decision support systems, among others. The R&D Engineer will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams across the KRI consortium, consisting of academic and industry partners, to create solutions and prototypes for projects in application areas, including autonomous systems, robotics, cognitive and distributed sensing, and machine learning systems, among others.

Successful candidates will be responsible team players and passionate about cutting-edge technologies, as well as possess a deep understanding of ML/AI technology and experience in turning technologies into practical, state-of-the-art systems. A close working relationship with and support of KRI Senior R&D Engineers/Scientists for government and industry contracts will be required.

The Kostas Research Institute was founded with a focus on homeland security research and development. Today, KRI strives to advance resilience in the face of 21st century risks across a wide range of technologies, emphasizing a collaborative approach that leverages our R1 university intellectual capital and technologies to develop application-specific solutions to customer needs. KRI focuses on satisfying customer-driven needs by co-locating a diverse, highly skilled R&D team that can address all aspects of a particular problem across the full range of technology-readiness levels. KRI headquarters, located at the NU Innovation Campus in Burlington, MA (ICBM), is home to one-of-a-kind research and test facilities for conducting activities related to cognitive and distributed RF signal processing and machine learning, unmanned and autonomous system technologies, as well as quantum materials and sensing.

This position is with KRI at Northeastern University, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NU. The primary office for this position is located at NU's ICBM.

1.Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

  • Required: Undergoing or completed B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Required Skills/Attributes

  • Proficiency in developing and testing software packages
  • Proficiency with high-level object-oriented programming and scripting languages, such as Python, C++, Java
  • Experience with high-performance computing environments.
  • Understanding and experience with Python frameworks, such as Pandas, SciPy and NumPy
  • Experience working within software development spaces such as GitHub
  • A passion to learn and constantly expand knowledge base
  • Comfortable working with novel/emerging technologies
  • Passion for developing new prototypes and solutions
  • Self-motivated worker capable of contributing to technical planning for a project
  • Ability to work with a small team and share knowledge with others

Preferred Skills/Attributes

  • M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • US Citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Position Type

Temporary

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pay Rate:

$35.00/hr

Apply