6 of the Best Types of Research Software Engineer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Research Software Engineer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Research Software Engineer Jobs

• Temporary Research Software Engineer

  Salary range: $205,000 - $205,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• On Call Research Software Engineer

  Salary range: $205,000 - $205,000

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Senior Research Software Engineer

  Salary range: $122,500 - $161,500

  Senior Research Software Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Research Software Engineer jobs pay between $122,500 (25th percentile) and $161,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Research Software Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Research Software Engineer

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Entry Level Research Software Engineer

  Salary range: $65,000 - $120,000

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Internship Research Software Engineer

  Salary range: $43,000 - $60,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.