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Research Engineer Phd Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Cobot

AI Research Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

PhD in Machine Learning, AI, Computer Science, or related field. * 4+ years of experience in applied ML research and software engineering. * Experience designing ML experimentation frameworks and ...

Meta

AI Research Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$183K/yr

We're hiring Research Engineers to join teams across Meta working at the intersection of frontier ... Impressive engineering background (PhD in ML not required) * Experience working in AI/ML ...

Meta

AI Research Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$183K/yr

We're hiring Research Engineers to join teams across Meta working at the intersection of frontier ... Impressive engineering background (PhD in ML not required) * Experience working in AI/ML ...

Meta

Research Engineer, Monetization AI

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$183K/yr

Research Engineer, Monetization AI Responsibilities: * Develop and implement large-scale model ... PhD in AI, Computer Science, Data Science, or related technical fields * Master's degree in ...

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All JobsResearch Engineer Phd JobsResearch Engineer Phd Jobs in Seattle, WA

Research Engineer Phd information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$42.1K

$120.6K

$162.2K

How much do research engineer phd jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for research engineer phd in Seattle, WA is $120,645.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research engineer PhD?

A Research Engineer PhD is a professional who has completed a doctoral degree (PhD) and works on developing innovative solutions, conducting advanced experiments, and pushing the boundaries of technology or science. They often work in academic, industrial, or government research settings, applying deep technical expertise to solve complex problems. Their responsibilities typically include designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing findings, and sometimes collaborating with product development teams. Research Engineer PhDs are valued for their ability to combine scientific research with practical engineering applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research engineer PhD?

To thrive as a Research Engineer PhD, you need advanced knowledge in engineering principles, research methodologies, and data analysis, typically supported by a doctoral degree in engineering or a related field. Expertise with simulation software, programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), and familiarity with publishing tools or laboratory equipment is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for driving innovation, producing publishable research, and effectively collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.

What opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration can a research engineer PhD expect in a typical organization?

As a Research Engineer with a PhD, you will frequently collaborate with professionals from various disciplines, such as data scientists, software developers, and product managers. This interdisciplinary work is essential for translating research into practical applications and advancing innovative projects. You can expect to contribute your expertise in scientific methods and advanced technical knowledge while gaining insights from colleagues in adjacent fields. Such collaboration not only enriches project outcomes but also broadens your professional skill set and fosters career growth.

What is the difference between Research Engineer Phd vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch Engineer PhdResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in relevant field, advanced technical skillsMaster's or PhD, strong research background
Work EnvironmentLabs, R&D departments, technical project teamsAcademic, corporate R&D, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, engineering firms, research institutionsUniversities, research labs, industry R&D
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for research roles requiring engineering expertiseBroader research roles, academic positions

Research Engineer Phd and Research Scientist roles both require advanced degrees and involve research activities. However, Research Engineer Phd positions typically focus on applied engineering projects within industry settings, emphasizing technical development and innovation. Research Scientists often work in academic or research institutions, focusing on fundamental research and scientific discovery. The choice depends on whether you prefer industry-focused engineering work or academic research pursuits.

What are popular job titles related to Research Engineer Phd jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Research Engineer Phd jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Engineer Phd jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Engineer Phd jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Research Engineer Phd jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Research Engineer Phd job openings:

Research Engineer Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Engineer Phd job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,645 per year, or $58 per hour.

AI Research Engineer

Cobot

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Are you passionate about advancing the state of artificial intelligence and machine learning? Our rapidly growing startup is seeking an AI Research Engineer to join our Foundational Models AI team. This role is ideal for researchers and builders who thrive at the intersection of machine learning research and software engineering-those who can turn innovative ideas into working prototypes that push the boundaries of what's possible in intelligent systems.
In this role, you'll work closely with a small, dynamic team of AI researchers and engineers exploring reinforcement learning, transformer-based architectures, and diffusion models. You'll be expected to design, implement, and iterate on ML experiments rapidly, contributing to foundational model development that will shape the future of autonomous systems and intelligent robotics.
Join us to reimagine the future of human-robot interaction.
Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction. We are working to realize a world where robots are a trusted extension of your surroundings. They work, adapt, and react around you. Not the other way around.
This role is located onsite at our Seattle, WA office.
Cobot will offer a relocation stipend if you are relocating to join our Seattle office and currently live more than 50 miles outside of the office location.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design, build, and iterate on experimental ML pipelines supporting foundational model development.
  • Implement and train large-scale models, including transformers and diffusion-based architectures, for generative and control tasks.
  • Develop and evaluate reinforcement learning algorithms and frameworks for autonomous behaviors.
  • Rapidly prototype and deploy research ideas into working code to accelerate AI experimentation cycles.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate ML components into real-world systems.
  • Stay at the forefront of the latest AI research and share insights internally and externally.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Machine Learning, AI, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in applied ML research and software engineering.
  • Hands-on experience training (not just using) large-scale ML models such as transformers or diffusion models.
  • Strong understanding of reinforcement learning fundamentals and applications.
  • Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow.
  • Proven ability to write clean, efficient, and scalable code that supports fast iteration.
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
  • Willing to occasionally travel.
  • Must have and maintain US work authorization.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • PhD in Machine Learning, AI, Computer Science, or related field.
  • 4+ years of experience in applied ML research and software engineering.
  • Experience designing ML experimentation frameworks and model training pipelines.
  • Practical knowledge of simulation environments or robotics systems.
  • While direct robotics manipulation experience is not required, familiarity with robotic systems or simulation environments is a plus.
  • Familiarity with multimodal architectures and imitation learning.
  • Understanding of edge compute or distributed ML training infrastructure.

Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.
To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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