Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Research Engineer jobs in Michigan are in strong demand, with openings concentrated in automotive R&D, advanced manufacturing, defense systems, and university-affiliated research, and hiring at every level from entry-level associate researcher through principal and senior engineer. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Dearborn are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by employers such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and the University of Michigan. The most sought-after specialties include vehicle propulsion and electrification research, materials science, and autonomous systems engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Research Engineer jobs
You will make leading-edge contributions to existing programs and help to shape the direction of future research efforts. You will have the opportunity to develop into a Principal Investigator, designing new research paths, supervising research staff, and interacting with research sponsors to fund new program directions. Most programs are executed in small, highly collaborative groups.
From applied research to product development, the Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD) manages complex projects for government and commercial clients. The vision of ATSD is to create competitive advantages for our customers by inventing new technology and concepts resulting in disruptive, low cost, and high-performance solutions. The division advances the state of the art in diverse areas such as radar and electronic warfare; novel imaging technology; robotics; quantum sensing and metrology; marine technology; and applied optics.
- Work with an interdisciplinary team developing algorithms for exploitation of sensor data in geospatial contexts.
- Formation and analysis of imagery products, development of advanced signal processing tools for image understanding and imagery exploitation, and the integration of data from multiple sources to enhance understanding.
- Programming, algorithm development, design and execution of Electro-Optic and/or radar computational models & simulations, and analysis of results.
- Participate in laboratory work, collecting and analyzing sensor data.
- Additional tasks include defining software and system interfaces, system integration and testing, and field support to experiments and demonstrations. Anticipated work products include written reports and preparation and delivery of presentations and project
- Ph.D. degree in a relevant field; or Masters in related field with 3 years experience or Bachelors in related field with 5+ years of related experience.
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance required.
- Experience with software development in C and/or C++ and algorithm implementations in Python/MATLAB.
- Experience associated with radar, imaging sensors, image processing, and/or signal/data processing applications.
- Ability for occasional travel associated with meetings and/or data collections.
- Experience with Unix/Linux operating system
- Solid analytical ability.
You will make leading-edge contributions to existing programs and help to shape the direction of future research efforts. You will have the opportunity to develop into a Principal Investigator, designing new research paths, supervising research staff, and interacting with research sponsors to fund new program directions. Most programs are executed in small, highly collaborative groups.
From applied research to product development, the Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD) manages complex projects for government and commercial clients. The vision of ATSD is to create competitive advantages for our customers by inventing new technology and concepts resulting in disruptive, low cost, and high-performance solutions. The division advances the state of the art in diverse areas such as radar and electronic warfare; novel imaging technology; robotics; quantum sensing and metrology; marine technology; and applied optics.
- Work with an interdisciplinary team developing algorithms for exploitation of sensor data in geospatial contexts.
- Formation and analysis of imagery products, development of advanced signal processing tools for image understanding and imagery exploitation, and the integration of data from multiple sources to enhance understanding.
- Programming, algorithm development, design and execution of Electro-Optic and/or radar computational models & simulations, and analysis of results.
- Participate in laboratory work, collecting and analyzing sensor data.
- Additional tasks include defining software and system interfaces, system integration and testing, and field support to experiments and demonstrations. Anticipated work products include written reports and preparation and delivery of presentations and project
- Ph.D. degree in a relevant field; or Masters in related field with 3 years experience or Bachelors in related field with 5+ years of related experience.
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance required.
- Experience with software development in C and/or C++ and algorithm implementations in Python/MATLAB.
- Experience associated with radar, imaging sensors, image processing, and/or signal/data processing applications.
- Ability for occasional travel associated with meetings and/or data collections.
- Experience with Unix/Linux operating system
- Solid analytical ability.
See All 11 Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Engineer JobsResearch Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, materials science, or a closely related technical field
- Hands-on experience designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, and documenting findings
- Proficiency with simulation and modeling tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS, or equivalent software
- Familiarity with automotive or advanced manufacturing R&D environments and industry testing standards
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including product design and manufacturing
- Strong technical communication skills for presenting research findings to internal and external stakeholders
Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research engineer in Michigan?
Most research engineer roles in Michigan require at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related scientific discipline, with many employers in automotive and defense R&D preferring a master's degree or higher. Michigan does not require a state-issued research engineering license for most industry roles, but engineers who sign off on public-facing technical documents may need a Professional Engineer license through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Building experience through university lab work, co-ops at Michigan manufacturers, or research internships significantly strengthens candidacy.
Which companies hire research engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring research engineers in Michigan right now include Michigan Technological University, SRI International, and Kadant, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's deep automotive and mobility ecosystem means a large share of research engineer openings come from vehicle manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers, and university-affiliated research centers concentrated in the southeast region of the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most research engineer jobs?
Ann Arbor, Houghton County, and Warren are the Michigan cities with the most research engineer openings. Detroit and Dearborn dominate because they are home to the global headquarters and major R&D campuses of Ford and General Motors, while Ann Arbor draws substantial demand from the University of Michigan's research programs and the cluster of technology and mobility companies that have located near campus.
Are there remote research engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're rare. Research engineering often requires physical lab access, prototype testing, and on-site collaboration, which limits full remote availability. About 29% of research engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those opportunities tend to cluster in data analysis, computational modeling, and simulation-focused roles that do not require bench or lab work.
How can I get hired as a research engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a structured co-op or internship program at one of Michigan's large automotive or manufacturing employers, several of which, including Ford and General Motors, run formal early-career and new-graduate research programs. Adjacent roles such as test technician, laboratory assistant, or quality engineer at Michigan suppliers can serve as a bridge into a research function. Completing a relevant graduate thesis or publishing undergraduate research through a University of Michigan or Michigan State lab adds concrete portfolio evidence that compensates for limited industry experience.
Where can I find and apply to research engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to research engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across automotive, defense, manufacturing, and university research sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 11 Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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