Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Research And Development Engineer jobs are open across aerospace, defense, medical devices, automotive, and consumer electronics, at levels from entry-level to principal and staff engineer, with specializations in product prototyping, systems integration, and process development. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Join Kyocera International, Inc.
We’re hiring a Research and Development Project Engineer at our San Diego location!
Join a stable, long-term opportunity where your work matters. We’re hiring a Research and Development Project Engineer to support production and ensure high-quality output in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Pay Range - $79,000.00 to $102,000.00 annually (Actual base pay based on factors such as relevant experience, education, market, qualifications, and skills.)
With nearly 80,000 employees globally, Kyocera is a leading manufacturer of high-tech ceramics in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, Medical applications, and semiconductor processing. Our innovative materials are found in everything from smartphones to space shuttles! Check out our profile video! (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EAMR-M4AqK8&t=193s&fbclid=IwAR2KNG6FaJ4sa7eH60-9xHB0fajYS8-chyt062hRFmj1-nkpyFkDHPVKG4M!)
Look at these PERKS!
- Competitive pay, benefits, and hours
- 120 hours of vacation accrued per year to start (that's 3 weeks/year for regular 8-hour shifts!)
- 10 Paid Holidays per year
- 401(k) with company match
- Pension
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible schedules
- Tuition reimbursement
We have a long-tenured staff (many with over 30 years of service!), a vital company mission, and an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off to volunteer, paid leave options, tuition reimbursement, an employer-paid Pension and a 401(k) with both Roth and a healthy company match. Our larger locations also feature onsite gyms, walking tracks, exercise rooms, and employee gardens!
We strive to have a diverse workforce from all backgrounds, including minorities, women, and veterans, who bring their experience to support the innovation and quality that Kyocera is known for.
Kyocera International, Inc. also has a robust corporate culture and philosophy based on the experiences and writings of our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori, which you can learn more about here: https://global.kyocera.com/inamori/philosophy/ (https://global.kyocera.com/inamori/philosophy/). Our company motto is “Do the right thing as a human being,” and we try to use that motto constantly in our decision-making.
Exempt: Yes
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
Responsible for planning and executing moderately complex R&D engineering projects involving product or process development, testing, analysis, and improvement. Applies engineering principles to solve technical problems, supports project objectives and timelines, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to transition concepts into practical solutions.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent required.
2+ years of related experience and/or education required.
Must have thorough understanding of company processes and appropriate technical knowledge, or experience in the same industry.
Knowledge of project management principles and budget management required. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to work productively with customers.
Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
Frequently interacts with supervisors, customers, and/or functional peer group managers, normally involving matters between functional areas, other company divisions or units, or customers and the company.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Responsible for managing multiple projects to support one or more product line departments.
2. Performs as an individual contributor to define, monitor and report project status.
3. Collects project related information from various internal resources.
4. Responsible for developing project proposals including the documentation of process flow requirements and capital expenditure justification (ROI) calculations on specific projects.
5. Performs cost estimating and internal design conceptualizations to present alternatives to management personnel.
6. Under supervision will recommend, and test new products, materials and/or designs.
7. Under supervision coordinates the development of new suppliers and assist them in meeting quality standards that will fulfill product line requirements.
8. Under supervision establishes project objectives, budget requirements, timelines, and labor requirements based on division strategic plans.
9. Documents, reports and measures progress on budgets and timelines.
10. Provides a project summary report to management to implement findings.
Perform any other related duties as required or assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, sit; occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time. This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.
Kyocera International, Inc. values diversity in its workforce, and is proud to be an AAP/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Kyocera International, Inc. Human Resources team directly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Research And Development Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsResearch And Development Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Penn State University22

- Maverick Power20

- General Motors (GM)17

- Cook4

- Motorola Solutions4

Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Retail
- Manufacturing
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research and development engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or materials engineering
- Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo for design and prototyping work
- Experience with design of experiments, statistical analysis, and test method development
- Familiarity with DFMEA, design controls, and product lifecycle management processes
- Programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW for data acquisition and analysis
- Hands-on laboratory experience with physical prototyping, testing, and validation cycles
Tips for Your Research And Development Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to patent output
Many R&D engineer postings screen for invention disclosures or patent filings. If you contributed to a patent, list it by number and your named role. Employers in deep-tech industries treat this as a direct signal of independent technical contribution.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research and development engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Match your portfolio to the product stage
R&D roles split sharply between early-stage research and late-stage development. Before applying, confirm whether the team works at TRL 1 through 4 or TRL 5 through 9, then frame your project examples around the stage where your experience is strongest.
Target postings by funded program or contract
Defense and aerospace R&D roles are often tied to specific SBIR grants or government contracts. Searching job descriptions for program names or contract numbers helps you assess budget stability and how long the role is likely to exist before the next funding cycle.
Prepare a technical deep-dive for the design review stage
Most R&D engineer interviews include a design review or whiteboard session on a past project. Walk through your decision rationale, trade studies you ran, and what failed before the final design. Hiring managers weight methodology over outcome.
Negotiate start date around prototype handoff windows
R&D teams frequently delay onboarding when a prototype is mid-cycle because ramping a new hire mid-build disrupts continuity. If an offer arrives during a quiet phase between milestones, use that timing to negotiate a stronger start package rather than pushing for a higher base.
Research And Development Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research and development engineers?
The companies hiring the most research and development engineers right now include Penn State University, Maverick Power, and General Motors (GM), with the largest share of openings in Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially active in defense, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
How many research and development engineer jobs are remote?
About 51% of research and development engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the role skews more on-site than most engineering disciplines because of hands-on lab and prototyping requirements. Sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility include software-focused R&D, data analysis, and simulation-heavy roles that don't require physical test equipment access.
How do you become a research and development engineer?
Most research and development engineers start with a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, then gain hands-on exposure through internships, co-ops, or university research labs. Building a portfolio of project work that shows design iteration, testing, and problem-solving is critical. Many roles in specialized industries prefer candidates with a master's degree or direct experience in the relevant product domain.
Can you get hired as a research and development engineer with little experience?
Entry-level R&D engineering roles do exist, and employers filling them tend to prioritize candidates who have completed capstone design projects, senior theses, or undergraduate research with a faculty advisor. Highlighting lab skills, specific instrumentation you've operated, and any prototype you built from concept to test report helps compensate for limited professional experience in competitive applicant pools.
What does the research and development engineer interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a recruiter screen, followed by a technical phone interview covering fundamentals in your engineering discipline. Later rounds usually include a take-home design challenge or a live whiteboard session where you walk through a past project in detail, including your trade-off decisions and test results. Final rounds often involve meeting cross-functional partners from manufacturing, quality, or product management.
Where can I find and apply to research and development engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to research and development engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your engineering discipline and experience level, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
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