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Research Scientist Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astera

Research Scientist/Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Fundamental research on brain-like world models: Develop and implement new architectures and ... PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics, or a related quantitative ...

Uw

Research Scientist/Engineer 2

Seattle, WA

The Institute for Protein Design has an outstanding opportunity for Research Scientist/Engineer 2 to join their team. About this Opportunity As a member of the IPD Core R&D Labs, you will make ...

Uw

Research Scientist/Engineer 2

Seattle, WA · On-site

$71K/yr

Samuel Wasser, the Research Scientist 2 is responsible for conducting DNA-based benchwork, data ... Experience with MiSeq amplicon sequencing, R/Python/Bash programming and kinship analysis highly ...

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Research Scientist Engineer information

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$106K

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How much do research scientist engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for research scientist 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 is the difference between Research Scientist Engineer vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch Scientist EngineerResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in relevant field, engineering or science backgroundMaster's or PhD in science or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, engineering teamsLaboratories, academic or industrial research settings
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, engineering firms, R&D divisionsUniversities, research institutes, industrial labs
Common Search & ComparisonResearch Scientist EngineerResearch Scientist

The main difference between a Research Scientist Engineer and a Research Scientist lies in their focus areas. Research Scientist Engineers typically combine engineering principles with scientific research, often working on applied projects in tech or industrial settings. Research Scientists generally focus on fundamental scientific research, often in academic or basic research environments. Both roles require advanced degrees and involve laboratory work, but their industry applications and daily tasks differ based on their engineering or scientific emphasis.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or software engineering with senior or executive roles can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or working in high-demand industries.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, petroleum, aerospace, and electrical engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These roles often require specialized knowledge, advanced degrees, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or project management expertise.

What is the salary of a research engineer?

The salary of a research engineer typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, industry, and location. Advanced skills in data analysis, programming, and laboratory work can influence compensation levels.

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, specialized skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding advanced certifications, or managing large projects.

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

To thrive as a Research Scientist Engineer, you need a strong background in scientific research, engineering principles, and data analysis, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant STEM field. Proficiency in laboratory techniques, programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), and specialized software or instrumentation is often required. Critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating within multidisciplinary teams and presenting findings. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing innovative solutions and advancing scientific knowledge in a rigorous, collaborative environment.

How does a Research Scientist Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a research environment?

Research Scientist Engineers often work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including data scientists, product managers, and laboratory technicians. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to align on project goals, share experimental results, and troubleshoot technical challenges. Effective communication is essential, as team members may have diverse technical backgrounds. This collaborative structure ensures that research progresses efficiently from hypothesis to implementation, while also providing opportunities to learn from peers in different specialties.

What are Research Scientist Engineers?

Research Scientist Engineers are professionals who combine scientific research abilities with engineering expertise to solve complex technical problems. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop new technologies or processes, often working at the intersection of science and engineering disciplines. Their work is crucial in advancing knowledge and creating innovative solutions in fields like biotechnology, materials science, and information technology. Typically, they collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and may also publish research findings or assist in product development.
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Research Scientist Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Scientist Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,012 per year, or $51 per hour.

Research Scientist/Engineer

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Position Summary
We are seeking brilliant, unconventional thinkers to join us. In this role, you will not be chasing incremental gains on standard benchmarks. Instead, you will be tasked with developing the foundational principles of Artificial General Intelligence. We believe that understanding the "code of the brain" is the most viable path to building truly intelligent machines, and we are looking for scientists who can bridge the gap between biological intelligence, computational theory, and building at scale.
Core Responsibilities
  • Fundamental research on brain-like world models: Develop and implement new architectures and learning algorithms for neuroscience-based world models. You will draw up on insights from deep learning, causality, probabilistic and energy based models, and biologically inspired architectures.
  • Scientific Discovery: Design experiments to test hypotheses regarding high-level cognition, causal representations, sensory-motor integration, active inference, and unsupervised learning.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside neuroscientists and software engineers to translate abstract mathematical frameworks into scalable systems.
  • Contribute to open science: Help innovate new publication models that incentivize speedy dissemination, open source code releases, free open access, and impact measurements based on uptake.

Desired Qualifications
  • Technical Depth: Preferred: PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics, or a related quantitative field. We are always open to considering exceptional candidates, even those with non-traditional educational histories.
  • Theoretical Rigor: Strong foundations in deep learning, graphical models, and information theory.
  • Coding Proficiency: Expert-level skills in deep learning frameworks (PyTorch/JAX), with a focus on clean, reproducible research code.
  • AGI Mindset: A demonstrated interest in the "big questions" of AI-robustness, generalization, and common-sense reasoning.
  • Curious about the brain: A genuine passion for exploring the computational and architectural principles of the mammalian brain.
  • Startup DNA: Ability to thrive in a lean, fast-paced environment where you have high autonomy and a direct influence on research direction.

Why Join Us?
  • We recognize the need for fundamental research: No pressure to align research with quarterly revenue goals, market competition, or product roadmaps. We can focus on solving the core problems and achieving breakthroughs that enable the next generation of AGI technology.
  • Mission-First: Your work contributes directly to the global pool of knowledge and the safe development of AGI.
  • Collaborative culture: We work in teams, organized around challenge problems and attack paths, without big-company inertia or politics.

Compensation
The posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, commensurate with their experience and location.
  • Benefits summary

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