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Research Engineer Jobs in Naperville, IL (NOW HIRING)

Research Engineer (FICCO)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As a Research Engineer , you will be an integral member of a systematic trading team comprised of experienced technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Your team will work closely to ...

Applied Research Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Research Engineering team works directly alongside Research Scientists to bring models to life. This position is dedicated to a high-impact systems role, providing the best of both worlds: deep ...

Applied Research Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The Research Engineering team works directly alongside Research Scientists to bring models to life. This position is dedicated to a high-impact systems role, providing the best of both worlds: deep ...

Sr Research Engineer

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

$96K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Sr Research Engineer A senior-level role that leads strategic, multidisciplinary projects, serves as a thought leader, and builds the company's innovation network. As an Sr Research Engineer you will:

Sr Research Engineer

Bolingbrook, IL

$96K - $128K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Sr Research Engineer A senior-level role that leads strategic, multidisciplinary projects, serves as a thought leader, and builds the company's innovation network. As an Sr Research Engineer you will:

Campus AI Research Engineer (Full-Time)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$300K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking world-class engineers to collaborate with our research, trading, and engineering teams to build state-of-the-art ML systems that solve some of the most complex problems in quantitative ...

Senior Advanced AI Research Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Senior Advanced AI Research Engineer, you sit at the boundary between AI systems research and production platform engineering. You investigate hard, open problems in agentic AI - and you close ...

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Research Engineer information

See Naperville, IL salary details

$36.9K

$105.9K

$142.3K

How much do research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for research engineer in Naperville, IL is $105,854.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,800.00 and $103,800.00 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.

Do I need a PhD to be a research engineer?

A PhD is not always required to become a research engineer, but it can be beneficial for roles involving advanced research, complex problem-solving, or specialized fields. Many research engineers hold a bachelor's or master's degree, along with relevant skills in programming, data analysis, and engineering tools. Industry experience and technical expertise are often equally important as formal education levels.

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.

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.

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 job categories do people searching Research Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL are:

What cities near Naperville, IL are hiring for Research Engineer jobs?

Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Research Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Engineer job openings in Naperville, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,854 per year, or $50.9 per hour.

Research Engineer (FICCO)

DRW

Chicago, IL • On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 3 decades of experience bringing sophisticated technology and exceptional people together to operate in markets around the world. We value autonomy and the ability to quickly pivot to capture opportunities, so we operate using our own capital and trading at our own risk.
Headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we trade a variety of asset classes including Fixed Income, ETFs, Equities, FX, Commodities and Energy across all major global markets. We have also leveraged our expertise and technology to expand into three non-traditional strategies: real estate, venture capital and cryptoassets.
We operate with respect, curiosity and open minds. The people who thrive here share our belief that it's not just what we do that matters-it's how we do it. DRW is a place of high expectations, integrity, innovation and a willingness to challenge consensus.
As a Research Engineer, you will be an integral member of a systematic trading team comprised of experienced technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Your team will work closely to solve challenging technological problems and contribute to our full tech stack, including software design, data engineering, distributed computing, and quantitative modeling. You will be surrounded by cutting edge technology, mentored by industry-leading engineers, offered training and continuing education opportunities, and given immediate responsibility. We are looking for quantitatively minded people who are creative technologists, natural programmers, and disciplined engineers eager to develop new technologies that directly impact our business.
How you will make an impact:
  • Work with researchers to implement research studies, simulate trading strategies, and develop algorithms to compete in financial markets.
  • Design trading strategy simulation software optimized for distributed computation
  • Develop software for large scale data acquisition, storage, accessibility, and visualization
  • Create user interfaces for data exploration and post trade analysis
  • Accelerate the research lifecycle from strategy prototype to production deployment
  • Evaluate new technology and improve our technology stack

What you bring to the team:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field
  • Excellent software development skills in modern C++ and Python
  • A strong understanding of object oriented design, data structures and algorithms
  • A strong understanding of quantitative finance mathematics
  • A solid foundation in programming with the ability to think, communicate, and code clearly
  • A solid understanding of computer systems at every level of abstraction (hardware, OS, memory, network)
  • Skills in multi-threaded applications
  • An understanding of how to build software for long term use and broad adoption
  • Demonstrated ability to produce algorithmic code in a fast-paced environment

The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 to $225,000, depending on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, DRW offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits including group medical, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance, 401k (with discretionary employer match), short and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.
For more information about DRW's processing activities and our use of job applicants' data, please view our Privacy Notice at https://drw.com/privacy-notice.
California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice.
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