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Research And Development Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Director, Research & Development Regular Full-Time Reston, VA, US 3 days ago Requisition ID: 1310 ... P ro v idePackaging Engineering and Nutrition & Regulatory Services : Deliver Packaging and ...

Development Engineer

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

As a Development Engineer in our R&D function within the Spine division, you'll perform implant and instrumentation design work while actively participating on multi-functional teams to support ...

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Research And Development Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$22.6K

$109.4K

$171K

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

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development engineer in Washington, DC is $109,360.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,800.00 and $132,500.00 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.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Research And Development Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Research And Development Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,360 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Research and Development Engineer

Reston, VA • On-site


Penn State University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 51 - 200 employees

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 104 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

234th of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$146K - $318K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are seeking highly motivated Research and Development Engineers to join our Research Artificial Intelligence of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will assist in providing customers with state-of-the-art visualization and decision support. The primary focus will be researching and developing feasible algorithmic solutions to our sponsor's complex problems given large sets of multivariate data.
Located in State College, PA or Reston, VA
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
  • Design and implement machine learning systems, models, and schemes
  • Research and apply state-of-the-art machine learning prototypes to sponsor specific domains
  • Search and select appropriate data sets before performing data collection and data modeling
  • Visualize data for deeper insights
  • Generate and present technical research reports and briefings
  • Perform statistical analysis in support of pattern of life and anomaly detection
  • Perform data fusion and correlation
  • Build high quality software prototypes integrated with our various research and pre-production software environments
  • Collaborate with other ARL staff and sponsors
  • Supervise the work of lower-level staff and undergraduate student
  • Perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope

Required skills/knowledge includes:
  • Data science/algorithm development
  • Data science / Machine Learning languages to include Python
  • Research, development and implementation of machine learning models

Preferred skills/knowledge includes:
  • Active TS/SCI Clearance
  • Master's degree
  • Training and optimizing ML algorithms on GPU hardware architectures, specifically NVIDIA based
  • Working with geo-spatial data
  • Statistics, multivariable calculus, and linear algebra
  • Exploratory data analysis and visualization
  • Data science / Machine Learning tools to include Pandas, PyTorch/TensorFlow, NumPy, MatPlotLib, PostGreSQL, FastAPI
  • Software Development tools to include Git, Docker, Kubernetes, SSH

Your work location will be fully on-site State College PA or Reston, VA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science19+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science5+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as R&D Engineer - Artificial Intelligence (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science14+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:None
ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $146,040.00 - $318,840.00. This salary range includes an adjustment based on required geographic work location.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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