R D Engineer Jobs in Michigan
R D Engineer jobs in Michigan are actively in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in automotive R&D, defense systems, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing across entry-level through senior engineering roles. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids anchor the market, with major employers such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis driving sustained hiring alongside academic research partners at the University of Michigan. The most sought-after specialties include powertrain and electrification R&D, materials engineering, and embedded systems development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find R D Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 20+ R D Engineer jobs
Why join Stryker?
Looking for a place that values your unique talents? Discover Stryker's award-winning culture.We are proud to offer you our total rewards package which includes bonuses, healthcare, insurance benefits, retirement programs, wellness programs, as well as service and performance awards – not to mention various social and recreational activities, all of which are location specific.
Job description
We are excited to be named one of the World’s Best Workplaces by Fortune Magazine! We are proud to offer you 12 paid holidays annually. For an overview of our benefits and time off, please follow this link to learn more:US Stryker employee benefits.Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer Lead, R&D
Portage, MI
Join a team focused on advancing complex medical technologies through engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration. This role offers the opportunity to lead technical development efforts, contribute to innovation initiatives, and apply advanced engineering expertise across the full product development lifecycle. The Senior Staff R&D Engineer Lead serves as a technical leader, guiding design decisions, mentoring engineers, and supporting the development of compliant, high-quality products.
Work Flexibility:
Hybrid: candidates must reside within commuting distance of Portage, MI and be able to work onsite several days per week.
What You Will Do
- Lead the research, design, development, modification, and evaluation of complex modules, assemblies, and subsystems throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Translate user needs into engineering requirements, specifications, and system-level designs, ensuring alignment with product and business objectives.
- Design and execute advanced prototyping and testing activities to verify product performance and design requirements.
- Resolve complex product design challenges and drive implementation of corrective actions to support product readiness and quality standards.
- Explore emerging technologies and recommend applications that support product innovation and business needs.
- Develop invention disclosures, patents, and trade secret documentation to support intellectual property initiatives.
- Collaborate with Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Marketing, and Project Management teams to deliver projects according to business and development milestones.
- Mentor engineers on engineering principles, design controls, industry standards, engineering documentation, and technical best practices.
What You Will Need
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Minimum 6 years of engineering experience in Research & Development (R&D)
- Experience creating engineering drawings, technical documentation, and 3D models.
- Proficiency with PTC Creo for 3D modeling and engineering design.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing and optimizing complex mechanical and/or electro-mechanical assemblies using Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
- Experience applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in engineering drawings.
- Experience using Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to evaluate and optimize product designs.
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and processing technologies used in complex product development.
- Experience supporting medical device development within a regulated environment.
$102,600 - $171,000 USD Annual
Why join Stryker?
Looking for a place that values your unique talents? Discover Stryker's award-winning culture.We are proud to offer you our total rewards package which includes bonuses, healthcare, insurance benefits, retirement programs, wellness programs, as well as service and performance awards – not to mention various social and recreational activities, all of which are location specific.
Job description
We are excited to be named one of the World’s Best Workplaces by Fortune Magazine! We are proud to offer you 12 paid holidays annually. For an overview of our benefits and time off, please follow this link to learn more:US Stryker employee benefits.Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer Lead, R&D
Portage, MI
Join a team focused on advancing complex medical technologies through engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration. This role offers the opportunity to lead technical development efforts, contribute to innovation initiatives, and apply advanced engineering expertise across the full product development lifecycle. The Senior Staff R&D Engineer Lead serves as a technical leader, guiding design decisions, mentoring engineers, and supporting the development of compliant, high-quality products.
Work Flexibility:
Hybrid: candidates must reside within commuting distance of Portage, MI and be able to work onsite several days per week.
What You Will Do
- Lead the research, design, development, modification, and evaluation of complex modules, assemblies, and subsystems throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Translate user needs into engineering requirements, specifications, and system-level designs, ensuring alignment with product and business objectives.
- Design and execute advanced prototyping and testing activities to verify product performance and design requirements.
- Resolve complex product design challenges and drive implementation of corrective actions to support product readiness and quality standards.
- Explore emerging technologies and recommend applications that support product innovation and business needs.
- Develop invention disclosures, patents, and trade secret documentation to support intellectual property initiatives.
- Collaborate with Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Marketing, and Project Management teams to deliver projects according to business and development milestones.
- Mentor engineers on engineering principles, design controls, industry standards, engineering documentation, and technical best practices.
What You Will Need
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Minimum 6 years of engineering experience in Research & Development (R&D)
- Experience creating engineering drawings, technical documentation, and 3D models.
- Proficiency with PTC Creo for 3D modeling and engineering design.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing and optimizing complex mechanical and/or electro-mechanical assemblies using Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
- Experience applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in engineering drawings.
- Experience using Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to evaluate and optimize product designs.
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and processing technologies used in complex product development.
- Experience supporting medical device development within a regulated environment.
$102,600 - $171,000 USD Annual
See All 20 R D Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find R D Engineer JobsR D Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
R D Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in R D engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a closely related technical discipline required
- Hands-on experience with product development cycles, prototyping, or laboratory testing environments
- Proficiency in simulation or CAD tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS, or SolidWorks
- Ability to design and execute experiments, analyze data, and document technical findings
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and program management
- Familiarity with automotive, defense, or medical device industry standards and testing protocols
R D Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a r d engineer in Michigan?
Most r d engineer roles in Michigan require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or materials engineering from an accredited program. While Michigan does not mandate a state license for most R&D positions, engineers who sign off on designs for public use may pursue licensure through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs as a Professional Engineer. Automotive and defense employers in Michigan commonly expect candidates to have relevant internship or co-op experience before a full-time offer.
Which companies hire r d engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring r d engineers in Michigan right now include Stryker, Toyota North America, and FANUC Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's deep automotive and defense ecosystems mean many of these openings sit within large OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and government-contracted research organizations anchored in the metro Detroit and Ann Arbor areas.
Which Michigan cities have the most r d engineer jobs?
The Michigan cities with the most r d engineer openings are Portage, Ann Arbor, and Rochester Hills. Detroit and its suburbs lead because the major automotive OEMs and their supplier networks are headquartered or have large technical centers there, while Ann Arbor draws R&D activity through its university research ecosystem and the concentration of medical device, software, and mobility technology firms that have located near the University of Michigan.
Are there remote r d engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're rare. R&D engineering work is largely hands-on, involving lab testing, prototype builds, and equipment that requires physical presence. About 60% of r d engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to cover the analysis, modeling, and documentation phases of a project rather than the physical testing side.
How can I get hired as a r d engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a co-op or internship at one of Michigan's large automotive or defense employers, many of which run structured programs for students and recent graduates. Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis each maintain new-grad rotational and associate engineer programs that place candidates without full-time experience into supported R&D roles. Candidates with adjacent titles such as test technician, quality engineer, or manufacturing process engineer also move into R&D positions regularly. An engineering degree from a Michigan university paired with a relevant capstone project or thesis gives candidates a strong competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to r d engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to r d engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across automotive, defense, medical device, and advanced manufacturing employers. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly without creating a profile or signing up first.
See All 20 R D Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find R D Engineer Jobs