ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Research Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Acceler8 Talent

Research Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

Research Engineer (VLM / Multimodal AI) 📍 Mountain View, CA I am seeking a Research Engineer to join a venture-backed AI and robotics startup building an AI-powered observability platform for ...

Hudson River Trading

Research Engineer

London, CA · On-site

We are seeking highly motivated and skilled Research Engineers who will work very closely with our Algo Developer (Quant Research) trading teams. These roles require exceptional programming ...

Solcoa Industries

Research Engineer

Alameda, CA · On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

The Role - Research Engineer Own difficult, first-principles R&D that unlocks rare-earth metal production at scale. You will design and execute high-temperature experiments, build and operate custom ...

NCSU

Research Engineer

Raleigh, NC

Posting Information Posting Number PG194222EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title Research Engineer Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with Education and Experience Work Schedule Monday - Friday ...

ALLIED MINERAL PRODUCTS

Research Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

Research Engineer Allied Mineral Products is a leading manufacturer of monolithic refractories worldwide, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. We are currently seeking a Research Engineer to oversee the ...

Factory

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Factory is seeking innovative Research Engineers to design and integrate advanced AI and ML capabilities that revolutionize productivity and accelerate innovation within software organizations. What ...

FAR.AI

$100K - $190K/yr

... developers such as OpenAI and independent evaluations for governments including the EU AI Office. We help steer and grow the AI safety field through developing research roadmaps with renowned ...

Skild AI

Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $300K/yr

Position Overview We are hiring Research Engineers to develop scalable robotic systems aimed at achieving general-purpose robotic intelligence. In this role, you'll work with researchers and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsResearch Engineer Jobs

Research Engineer information

See salary details

$37K

$106K

$142.5K

How much do research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for research engineer in the United States is $106,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are research engineers?

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.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These roles typically require specialized knowledge, advanced degrees, and sometimes certifications, and compensation can vary based on location and company size.

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 Is a Research Engineer?

A research engineer studies methods and performs tests to find the best materials, practices, or design for performing a specific task or producing licensed products. They can play a vital role in the development of products, systems, and methods in almost any industry, and their duties often revolve around a company’s research and development (R&D) department. A research engineer may work with design teams in an office or lab setting, or they may work in the field, performing tests and experiments in a real-world environment.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, petroleum, aerospace, and electrical engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in specialized industries, holding managerial positions, or possessing advanced certifications and expertise in high-demand areas.

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 job of a research engineer?

A research engineer develops and applies scientific principles to create new technologies, improve existing systems, or solve technical problems. They often work in laboratories or industrial settings, utilizing skills in engineering, data analysis, and experimentation to advance knowledge and innovation.

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 engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and work in high-demand industries or leadership positions.
More about Research Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Research Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Research Engineer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Research Engineer jobs? The top employers for Research Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Research Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Research Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Research Engineer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Research Engineer jobs? For Research Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,012 per year, or $51 per hour.

Research Engineer

Acceler8 Talent

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Research Engineer (VLM / Multimodal AI)


📍 Mountain View, CA


I am seeking a Research Engineer to join a venture-backed AI and robotics startup building an AI-powered observability platform for critical infrastructure. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge multimodal AI systems that combine language, vision, agentic reasoning, and robotics to monitor and manage some of the world's largest physical environments, including data centers, solar farms, wind farms, and oil refineries.


The company has already deployed its technology with customers, recently secured FAA approval for autonomous drone operations, and is founded by former Google and Meta robotics engineers with multiple successful exits valued at over $450M combined.


What You'll Do:

  • Build multimodal AI systems combining language models, vision models, and agentic reasoning
  • Develop VLMs and multimodal agents capable of understanding, analyzing, and acting on complex real-world data
  • Design systems that allow users to interact naturally with fleets of autonomous robots
  • Work on large-scale reasoning systems that analyze historical incidents, identify faults, and recommend corrective actions
  • Build infrastructure for grounding language models in visual observations from drones and robotic platforms
  • Develop retrieval, memory, and decision-making systems for mission-critical environments
  • Collaborate closely with robotics and autonomy engineers to bridge perception, reasoning, and execution
  • Help shape the future architecture of a rapidly evolving AI platform operating in the physical world


What We're Looking For:

  • Experience working with Vision Language Models (VLMs), multimodal foundation models, or Vision Language Action (VLA) systems
  • Strong background in machine learning, deep learning, or applied AI research
  • Experience with LLMs, agentic systems, retrieval, or multimodal reasoning
  • Exposure to computer vision, perception, robotics, autonomy, or embodied AI is highly desirable
  • Strong software engineering skills with the ability to build production-grade AI systems
  • Experience taking research concepts into real-world applications
  • Ability to thrive in highly autonomous, fast-moving startup environments


This role sits at the intersection of some of the most exciting areas in AI today: multimodal models, agentic systems, robotics, and real-world deployment.


You'll help build an intelligent platform capable of identifying faults across infrastructure the size of small cities, analyzing historical and live operational data, coordinating robotic inspections, and guiding human operators towards the fastest and most effective resolution.


If you'd like to find out more, apply today!

Ethan Lewis

elewis@acceler8talent.com

Apply