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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SUMMARY
The Qualitative Research Scientist III performs qualitative research tasks, designs study approaches, performs data collection and analysis, and develops high-quality research products. Contributes to proposal development, client engagement, and methodological strategy. Demonstrates experience producing client-ready technical deliverables.
Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. serves as a holding company with multiple subsidiaries engaged in several lines of business (Business Services, Health, Infrastructure and Engineering, Mission Optimization, Technology and Transportation) for the federal government and commercial enterprises. A portion of our profits is used to support Chickasaw citizens. We are proud to support the economic development and long-term viability of the Chickasaw Nation and its people. CNI offers premium benefits eligible on the first day of hire to full time employees; (Medical - Dental – Vision), Company Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(K) Immediate Vesting, Professional Development Assistance, Legal Aid Assistance Program, Family Planning / Fertility Assistance, Personal Time Off, and Observance of Federal Holidays.
As a federal contractor, CNI is a drug-free workplace and adheres to the Federal Controlled Substance Act.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to obtain and maintain the required customer clearance for access to systems, facilities, equipment and property.
Demonstrated experience coding qualitative data and using qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti, or Dedoose).
Experience with transcript quality control and verification against audio.
Familiarity with mixed-methods integration and behavioral health or overdose subject matter preferred.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Codes interview and focus group transcripts against approved codebooks using a structured inter-rater process with documented reconciliation.
Reviews and cleans transcripts against source audio, verifying no less than 20 percent of transcripts for accuracy.
Manages a rolling coding pipeline so analysis remains current with quarterly site submissions.
Triangulates qualitative themes with each site's available quantitative data to support integrated findings.
Drafts site-level summaries, preliminary findings, and supporting tables, figures, and graphics in CDC-requested formats.
Contributes to codebook refinement and inter-rater reliability documentation.
Develops content and case study material for the replication toolkit.
Supports construction of de-identified, analysis-ready datasets in coordination with the Data Manager.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Master’s degree and a minimum of five (5+) years’ of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
EOE including Disability/Vet
The estimated pay range for this role is $90K to $110K, with the final offer contingent on location, skillset, and experience.
CNI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401(k)
- Family Planning/Fertility Assistance
- STD/LTD/Basic Life/AD&D
- Legal-Aid Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) – (11) Federal Holidays
- Training and Development Opportunities
Your application submission will be considered for all potential employment opportunities with Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI).
SUMMARY
The Qualitative Research Scientist III performs qualitative research tasks, designs study approaches, performs data collection and analysis, and develops high-quality research products. Contributes to proposal development, client engagement, and methodological strategy. Demonstrates experience producing client-ready technical deliverables.
Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. serves as a holding company with multiple subsidiaries engaged in several lines of business (Business Services, Health, Infrastructure and Engineering, Mission Optimization, Technology and Transportation) for the federal government and commercial enterprises. A portion of our profits is used to support Chickasaw citizens. We are proud to support the economic development and long-term viability of the Chickasaw Nation and its people. CNI offers premium benefits eligible on the first day of hire to full time employees; (Medical - Dental – Vision), Company Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(K) Immediate Vesting, Professional Development Assistance, Legal Aid Assistance Program, Family Planning / Fertility Assistance, Personal Time Off, and Observance of Federal Holidays.
As a federal contractor, CNI is a drug-free workplace and adheres to the Federal Controlled Substance Act.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to obtain and maintain the required customer clearance for access to systems, facilities, equipment and property.
Demonstrated experience coding qualitative data and using qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA, ATLAS.ti, or Dedoose).
Experience with transcript quality control and verification against audio.
Familiarity with mixed-methods integration and behavioral health or overdose subject matter preferred.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Codes interview and focus group transcripts against approved codebooks using a structured inter-rater process with documented reconciliation.
Reviews and cleans transcripts against source audio, verifying no less than 20 percent of transcripts for accuracy.
Manages a rolling coding pipeline so analysis remains current with quarterly site submissions.
Triangulates qualitative themes with each site's available quantitative data to support integrated findings.
Drafts site-level summaries, preliminary findings, and supporting tables, figures, and graphics in CDC-requested formats.
Contributes to codebook refinement and inter-rater reliability documentation.
Develops content and case study material for the replication toolkit.
Supports construction of de-identified, analysis-ready datasets in coordination with the Data Manager.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Master’s degree and a minimum of five (5+) years’ of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
EOE including Disability/Vet
The estimated pay range for this role is $90K to $110K, with the final offer contingent on location, skillset, and experience.
CNI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401(k)
- Family Planning/Fertility Assistance
- STD/LTD/Basic Life/AD&D
- Legal-Aid Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) – (11) Federal Holidays
- Training and Development Opportunities
Your application submission will be considered for all potential employment opportunities with Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI).
Research And Development Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsResearch And Development Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Penn State University21
- KPMG7
- Cambrex4
- SIG SAUER4
- Cook3
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Accounting & Auditing
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
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, KPMG, and Cambrex, with the largest share of openings in Pennsylvania, California, and North Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand is especially active in defense, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
How many research and development engineer jobs are remote?
About 39% of research and development engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 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.
See All 190+ Research And Development Engineer Jobs
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