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Research Programmer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Research Engineer

Dearborn, MI ยท On-site

$95K - $184K/yr

Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering team takes new ideas from theory to reality. Every day, we develop advanced energy management and propulsion technologies, create cutting-edge materials and ...

We are seeking a Research Engineer who willbringexpertiseinAI and ML andisinterestedinbuilding data-driven capabilities that transform the way legal, accounting, and government professionals work ...

Lead Research Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI ยท On-site +1

$100K - $132K/yr

We are seeking a Lead Research Engineer who will bring expertise in AI and ML and is interested in building data-driven capabilities that transform the way legal, accounting, and government ...

Senior Research Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI ยท Hybrid

$102K - $140K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Research Engineer who willbringexpertiseinAI and ML andisinterestedinbuilding data-driven capabilities that transform the way legal, accounting, and government professionals ...

Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering team takes new ideas from theory to reality. Every day, we develop advanced energy management and propulsion technologies, create cutting-edge materials and ...

Senior Research Engineer/Advanced Engineering

Troy, MI ยท On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

The Senior Research Engineer/Advanced Engineering will work on technology projects within the Corporate R&D Advanced Body Domain, supporting the technical evaluation and due diligence of new ...

Cognizant is seeking a Software Research Engineer - C++ to develop an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) networking infrastructure for private 5G network deployments. The role involves leveraging C ...

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Showing results 1-20

Research Programmer information

See Michigan salary details

$9.6K

$98.3K

$112.4K

How much do research programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for research programmer in Michigan is $98,315.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,900.00 and $112,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like machine learning, AI, or working at major tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills, and often leadership roles or specialized expertise in the industry.

What are research programmers?

Research programmers are professionals who develop software, algorithms, and computational tools to support academic or scientific research projects. They work closely with researchers to design, implement, and optimize code for data analysis, simulations, and experiments. Their role often involves adapting existing software or creating new applications to solve specific research problems, ensuring that the software meets the requirements of the research team. Research programmers may also contribute to writing technical documentation and publishing results.

What is the difference between Research Programmer vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearch ProgrammerData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields; programming skillsBachelor's or Master's in Statistics, Data Science, or related fields; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, tech companiesBusiness, healthcare, finance, or marketing sectors
Employer & Industry UsageResearch projects, academic research, R&D departmentsData interpretation, reporting, and decision support in organizations

Research Programmers focus on developing software and tools for research purposes, often working in academic or research settings. Data Analysts interpret data to provide insights for business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills, Research Programmers emphasize programming and software development, whereas Data Analysts focus on data interpretation and visualization.

Which research job pays the most?

Research director or principal investigator roles in fields like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or data science tend to offer the highest salaries among research jobs, often exceeding six figures. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, and they may involve managing large teams or projects. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and level of expertise.

What is an analyst programmer's salary?

An analyst programmer's salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require proficiency in programming languages, systems analysis, and software development tools, with higher salaries generally associated with advanced skills and certifications.

How do Research Programmers typically collaborate with researchers and other team members during a project?

Research Programmers often work closely with principal investigators, data scientists, and subject matter experts to develop, test, and optimize software solutions tailored to research needs. Collaboration is highly iterative and may involve regular meetings to align on project goals, troubleshoot technical challenges, and adapt code to evolving research requirements. Effective communication and a flexible approach are key, as programmers frequently translate complex research concepts into functional code and may also assist with data analysis or visualization tasks.

What do research developers do?

Research developers design, implement, and maintain software tools and systems to support scientific research and data analysis. They often collaborate with researchers to develop algorithms, automate workflows, and optimize computational processes using programming languages like Python, R, or C++. Their work enables efficient data processing and helps advance research projects across various scientific disciplines.

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

To thrive as a Research Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming languages (such as Python, Java, or C++), and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with scientific computing tools, version control systems (like Git), and data analysis platforms is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with research teams and translate complex requirements into code. These skills enable you to develop robust software solutions that advance research goals and ensure project success.
What are popular job titles related to Research Programmer jobs in Michigan? For Research Programmer jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Research Programmer job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 21% As Needed, 30% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 11% Temporary, and 35% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,315 per year, or $47.3 per hour.
Machine Learning Research Engineer (Scientific & Engineering AI)

Machine Learning Research Engineer (Scientific & Engineering AI)

Optimal Inc.

Warren, MI โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Machine Learning Research Engineer (Scientific & Engineering AI)
Urgent Hiring Requirement
Minimum Qualification: PhD in a relevant technical field.
This is an urgent requirement with an anticipated start date within 2 weeks. Priority will be given to candidates who can interview promptly and begin within two weeks of selection.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Machine Learning Research Engineer (Scientific & Engineering AI) with strong expertise in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, and AI research. This role is intended exclusively for PhD graduates or candidates near completion from reputable universities.
Candidates with a strong academic research background in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Data Science, Scientific Computing, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Applied Physics, Computational Engineering, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Ideal candidates will combine strong ML/DL expertise with domain knowledge in mechanical engineering, materials science, manufacturing systems, physical systems, scientific computing, or simulation-driven engineering applications.
Research experience gained during a PhD program will be considered equivalent to professional industry experience.
This is an urgent hiring requirement, and we are actively seeking candidates who can start within the next 2 weeks.
Education Requirement
PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Applied Physics, Computational Engineering, or a related technical field.
Candidates currently pursuing a PhD with anticipated graduation within the next 3-6 months are also encouraged to apply.
Only PhD candidates will be considered for this role.
Candidates with only a Master's degree will not be considered.
Key Responsibilities
Design, develop, train, and optimize Machine Learning and Deep Learning models for real-world applications.
Own the complete ML lifecycle including data collection, annotation, preprocessing, model training, fine-tuning, evaluation, optimization, and deployment.
Develop and deploy advanced deep learning architectures including CNNs, LSTMs, ConvLSTMs, Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Reinforcement Learning, and Transformer-based models.
Conduct experiments, evaluate model performance, and drive continuous algorithmic improvements.
Work with large-scale datasets for model training, validation, and testing.
Optimize and deploy AI models for scalable and efficient real-world applications.
Translate research concepts into scalable, production-ready AI systems.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and research teams to integrate ML models into real-world applications.
Document methodologies, experimental findings, and technical solutions.
Contribute to technical innovation initiatives and advanced AI research activities.
Required Qualifications
Strong PhD research background in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Data Science, Scientific Machine Learning, Computational Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Informatics, or related areas.
Strong programming experience with Python and C++.
Hands-on experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, Scikit-learn, or similar ML frameworks.
Strong understanding of Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Neural Networks, Computer Vision, and AI algorithms.
Experience developing and training advanced deep learning models and architectures.
Solid mathematical foundation in linear algebra, probability, statistics, optimization, and applied machine learning.
Experience working with Linux environments, Git, Docker, and modern development workflows.
Demonstrated research experience through publications, thesis work, academic research projects, or equivalent research contributions.
Strong ability to independently research, prototype, and deploy AI solutions.
Experience applying machine learning or deep learning techniques to engineering, manufacturing, materials science, physical systems, scientific computing, simulation, or industrial applications is highly desirable.
Preferred Qualifications
Publications in leading AI, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Scientific Computing, Computational Engineering, Materials Science, or Applied Physics conferences and journals.
Experience transitioning AI/ML models from research environments into production systems.
Experience with CUDA, GPU acceleration, distributed computing, high-performance computing (HPC), or parallel computing environments.
Experience handling large-scale, real-world datasets.
Familiarity with Physics-Informed Machine Learning (PIML), Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), scientific foundation models, digital twins, simulation-driven AI, or engineering optimization techniques.
Experience working with data generated from CAD, CAE, CFD, FEA, multiphysics simulations, manufacturing processes, materials characterization, laboratory testing, or other engineering and scientific workflows.
Technical Skills
Python, C++
PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, Scikit-learn
Machine Learning and Deep Learning
Computer Vision
Reinforcement Learning
Graph Neural Networks (GNNs)
Transformer Architectures
Linux, Git, Docker
CUDA and GPU Computing
Scientific Computing and Optimization
Physics-Informed Machine Learning (Preferred)
Engineering and Scientific Data Analysis (Preferred)