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Research Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Our Lab Join our team of researchers, engineers, and designers to shape a future in which humans and AI collaborate to solve the most challenging biological and medical problems! The HIDIVE Lab in ...

Research Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$223K/yr

Our Lab Join our team of researchers, engineers, and designers to shape a future in which humans and AI collaborate to solve the most challenging biological and medical problems! The HIDIVE Lab in ...

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Research Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$40.2K

$115.2K

$154.8K

How much do research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for research engineer in Boston, MA is $115,158.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,000.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research engineer?

Research engineers are professionals who apply scientific and engineering principles to conduct research, develop new products, and improve existing technologies. They typically work in laboratories, research and development departments, or academic settings, collaborating with scientists and other engineers. Their work often involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and creating prototypes to solve technical problems or advance knowledge in their field.

How do research engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Research Engineers often work closely with scientists, data analysts, product managers, and software engineers to develop and implement innovative solutions. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to align on project goals, sharing technical findings, and integrating research outcomes into product development. Effective communication and the ability to translate complex research concepts into actionable insights are key to ensuring the project progresses smoothly and meets its objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Engineer, a strong background in engineering principles, advanced mathematics, and scientific research—often supported by a relevant degree or postgraduate study—is essential. Familiarity with data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python, CAD software, and laboratory instrumentation is typically required, along with experience in technical report writing. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective collaboration skills help Research Engineers excel in multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for developing innovative solutions, advancing technology, and ensuring rigorous, impactful research outcomes.

What is the difference between Research Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectResearch EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in engineering, computer science, or related fieldsUsually holds a master's or Ph.D. in statistics, computer science, or related areas
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, technology companiesData analysis teams, analytics departments, tech firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, and tech industriesCommon in finance, healthcare, marketing, and tech sectors

Research Engineers focus on developing new technologies, prototypes, and engineering solutions, often working on hardware or system design. Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and support decision-making. While both roles require strong technical skills and advanced degrees, their core functions and industry applications differ significantly.

Do I need a PhD to be a research engineer?

A PhD is not always required to become a research engineer, as many roles value relevant experience, technical skills, and a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or related fields. However, some specialized research positions or advanced projects may prefer or require a doctoral degree. Practical skills, problem-solving ability, and familiarity with tools like MATLAB or Python are also important for success in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

The most popular types of Research Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

For Research Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Research Engineer jobs?

Cities near Boston, MA with the most Research Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,158 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Sr. Applied Research Engineer - Burlington MA

Glaukos

Burlington, MA

$223K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced scientist or engineer to join our Applied Research team and contribute to the advancement of next-generation technologies within our Corneal Health (CH) product portfolio. This role will play a central part in driving early-stage innovation, technology development, and translational research efforts aimed at expanding the capabilities and clinical impact of our ophthalmic medical device platforms.

The successful candidate will work at the intersection of experimental science, engineering, and clinical translation to develop new technologies and methodologies. A key focus of this role will be designing, implementing, and translating imaging, and computational approaches that enable improved understanding and quantification of corneal structure and biomechanics.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise spanning experimental system development, signal processing and algorithm design, and biomechanical modeling, with a strong interest in translating research concepts into robust, validated technologies.

Generous. Innovative. Leadership-driven. Family-oriented. Socially responsible. 

Founded in 1998, Glaukos Corporation is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases.

Our mission at Glaukos is to truly transform vision by pioneering novel, dropless therapies that can meaningfully advance the standard of care and improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic, sight-threatening eye diseases. 

Innovation is at the core of everything we do, and we are resolute in our commitment to challenge conventional thinking with new treatment alternatives that are supported by real science, robust clinical evidence, and an unrelenting focus on patients. 

Our constant pursuit of game-changing technologies that disrupt legacy treatment paradigms is encapsulated in the Glaukos mantra "We'll Go First," which articulates our willingness to take chances, our determination to forge new ground, and our commitment to continuous improvement in all that we do.   

Our company completed an initial public offering in June of 2015, and our shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GKOS". Our global headquarters is in Aliso Viejo, California with additional locations in San Clemente, California, and Burlington, Massachusetts.

Glaukos Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 


All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, including successfully passing a drug screen, based on the position and local regulations.

Work Experience:

  • PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or MS/Bachelor's degree with equivalent industry experience.
  • 5-8+ years of relevant experience (3-5+ years with an MS degree or 0-4+ years with a PhD) developing biomechanical assays, experimental imaging systems, and quantitative analysis algorithms.
  • Demonstrated experience with elastography, biomechanical imaging, or quantitative tissue characterization techniques in research or commercial environments; experience in regulated medical device settings is a strong plus.
  • Strong background in experimental system development, including imaging system design, hardware-software integration, and measurement system validation.
  • Expertise in signal processing and algorithm development for imaging data.
  • Strong programming skills in Python or similar scientific programming languages; experience with C++, C#, or other systems-level programming languages is a plus.
  • Experience developing maintainable, well-documented scientific software and transitioning research code into robust implementations is a plus.
  • Familiarity with medical imaging, ophthalmic technologies, or related biomedical applications.
  • Experience working with medical device regulations, standards, and technical documentation for regulatory submissions is a strong plus.
  • Familiarity with machine learning or statistical learning applied to imaging or biomechanical data is a plus.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and levels of the organization.

#GKOSUS

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the design and development of current and next-generation ophthalmic medical devices, from early research through translational development.
  • Design, implement, and experimentally evaluate different corneal imaging modalities and elastography approaches, including comparative performance analysis, sensitivity, repeatability, and clinical relevance, to inform system design and future technology directions.
  • Design, develop, implement, and optimize advanced biomechanical imaging and elastography-based techniques to assess corneal biomechanical properties and their changes due to therapeutic interventions (e.g., crosslinking treatments).
  • Develop, maintain, and refine experimental biomechanical imaging systems, including imaging subsystems, excitation mechanisms, data acquisition hardware, synchronization, and system calibration procedures.
  • Develop, optimize, and maintain processing and post-processing algorithms and software pipelines for biomedical imaging data.
  • Ensure robustness, reproducibility, and performance of processing pipelines across experimental conditions, system configurations, and datasets.
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, software, and systems engineering teams to integrate algorithms and experimental methods into prototype and product-level medical devices.
  • Oversee data collection, preprocessing, algorithm development, validation, and performance characterization through rigorous experimental testing.
  • Design controlled experiments, phantoms, and validation protocols to compare system performance and biomechanical measurement techniques.
  • Communicate technical results clearly through design reviews, internal reports, and technical documentation; contribute to publications, patents, or regulatory submissions as appropriate.