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Research And Development Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Linde

R&D Engineer - Campus 2026-2027

Burr Ridge, IL · On-site

$85/hr

R&D Engineer - Campus 2026-2027 Tonawanda, NY or Burr Ridge, IL, United States req32163 What you will enjoy doing* Linde is a technology-driven, R&D intensiveorganization with a leading role in all ...

CYNET SYSTEMS

Senior R&D Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$66 - $83/hr

... engineering, such as design, incoming material, process control, product evaluation, product reliability, inventory control, metrology, automated testing, software, research and development, and ...

Vizient

Principal, R&D Engineer

Chicago, IL

$156K - $290K/yr

Help define how this R&D unit operates as it grows What We're Looking For * Strong software engineering fundamentals and a bias toward shipping * Comfort working on ambiguous problems with real users ...

Linde

R&D Engineer - Campus 2026-2027

Burr Ridge, IL · On-site

The R&D team consists of scientists,engineers, technologists and business professionals from various cultures andeducational backgrounds. With thousands of active and pending patents,Linde provides a ...

MonoSol

Senior Process Development Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $138K/yr

Process Research and Development Lead and manage significant elements of the organization's process ... Apply fundamental engineering principles and scale-up laws to guide process design and scale-up ...

Medical Murray

R&D Senior Engineer

Barrington, IL · On-site

$95K - $160K/yr

Title: R&D Senior Engineer Location: Lake Zurich Employment Type: Full-Time About Us Founded in 1996, Medical Murray is a privately owned medical device company specializing in the development ...

Medical Murray

Engineer II, DEV

Barrington, IL · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Title: R&D Engineer II Location: North Barrington Employment Type: Full Time About Us Founded in 1996, Medical Murray is a privately owned medical device company specializing in the development ...

Jobtailor

Senior R&D Engineer

North Barrington, IL · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

Lead the design and development of disposable medical devices from concept through ... Mentor and guide engineers and technical team members throughout project execution * Drive ...

Medical Murray, Inc.

R&D Senior Engineer

Barrington, IL · On-site

$95 - $160/hr

As a Senior R&D Engineer, you will play a critical leadership role in transforming concepts into commercially successful medical devices while guiding projects from early feasibility through ...

Gotion, Inc.

Battery Cell R&D Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation ... Required Qualifications: * 5 + years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, preferably in Pack ...

Gotion, Inc.

Battery Cell R&D Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation electric ... Required Qualifications: * 5 + years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, preferably in Pack ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsResearch And Development Engineer JobsResearch And Development Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Research And Development Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$20.6K

$99.6K

$155.7K

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

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development engineer in Chicago, IL is $99,561.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,900.00 and $120,600.00 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.

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.

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 and knowledge of engineering principles. It can offer good job stability, opportunities for advancement, and involvement in cutting-edge projects, making it a promising career choice for those interested in innovation and problem-solving.

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 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 from idea to prototype or production. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of engineering fundamentals are essential in this role.
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What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Research And Development Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Research And Development Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Research And Development Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Research And Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,561 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Principal Engineer, R&D - Thermoforms

Kraft Heinz Company

Glenview, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Kraft Heinz rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

231st of 438 rated food and drinks producers

Job description


Job Purpose
As the Rigid Thermoform Packaging Engineer, you will contribute technical expertise to help develop and advance rigid packaging material and format solutions for the North American portfolio. The objective of the role is to support development and validation of functional, cost-competitive rigid packaging solutions that meet sustainability requirements, while enabling innovation, compliance, and value engineering initiatives. You will collaborate with Innovation, Process, and Platform packaging teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate technical and sustainability requirements into commercially manufacturable solutions under the guidance of technical leadership.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
  • Support execution of rigid packaging technical initiatives by completing assigned research, development, and validation workstreams that balance technology exploration with proof of concept needs.
  • Contribute to technical assessments and business case inputs for packaging technologies/applications by gathering data, summarizing learnings, and documenting technical risks and opportunities.
  • Support external collaboration activities across the value chain (e.g., resin, coating, material suppliers; universities; institutes; start-ups; open innovation networks; scouting partners, industry partnerships) by coordinating samples/trials, tracking actions, and documenting outcomes.
  • Apply enterprise standards and manufacturability considerations by following established guidance to ensure design decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability needs, sustainability needs, and platform direction.
  • Provide technical problem solving on rigid packaging projects by using structured troubleshooting, data analysis, and experimentation to resolve technical hurdles.
  • Apply Design of Experiments (DoE), statistics, and technical problem-solving practices to research, development, and validation work.
  • Support prototyping development for consumer testing and assist with pilot line setup and scale-up to industrial production as required to enable commercialization.
  • Contribute to knowledge sharing and capability building by documenting learnings, creating technical summaries, and supporting training content or informal coaching as needed.

Key Outputs & Deliverables
  • Contribute to execution of the rigid packaging technology strategy through technical work products (data packages, trial results, recommendations) that support sustainability, innovation, and value engineering initiatives.
  • Deliver technical workstreams for rigid packaging projects from concept through proof of concept and handover support, meeting committed timelines and technical performance targets for assigned responsibilities.
  • Support compliance with sustainability and regulatory requirements by incorporating requirements into experimental plans and design recommendations, including:
  • Minimizing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fee impacts (as applicable to design choices)
  • Supporting designs that help avoid material bans and regulatory risks
  • Supporting recyclable, reusable, and compliant packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements
  • Support delivery of packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications (PBS) to meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes.

Expected Experience & Required Skills
  • BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline.
  • 6+ years of R&D packaging technology development, commercialization experience, with exposure to rigid plastic thermoform packaging and project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred). Experience working at converter or upstream resin or technology provider ideal.
  • Working technical knowledge of materials (polymers, barriers and additives, etc.) and thermoforming plastics, understanding manufacturing constraints, including converting processes (e.g., lidding, molding, extrusion, form-fill-seal).
  • Demonstrated ability to support end-to-end development activities, including planning/performing experiments, documenting results, and coordinating with cross-functional partners.
  • Demonstrated capability of design of experiments and statistics and technical problem solving.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence across functions and levels.
  • Working knowledge of project execution disciplines (e.g., task planning, risk identification, stakeholder updates) and comfort operating within PMO expectations/templates.
  • Exposure to sustainable packaging solutions, material/package industry standards and regulations.
  • Ability to support pilot line activities and scale-up to industrial production as required.
  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Work Environment & Schedule is position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Chicago, IL).
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to
  • Regular office work
  • Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing

This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibilities may change or be added with or without notice.
Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$104,200.00 - $130,200.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
  • Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
  • Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Glenview R&D Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

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