Research Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
Research engineer jobs in North Carolina are consistently in demand, with the strongest concentration in biotechnology and life sciences, defense and aerospace systems, and university-affiliated R&D, drawing candidates from entry-level positions through senior principal roles. The largest hiring markets are the Research Triangle area anchored by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and the Triad region around Greensboro. Well-established employers with lasting research engineering presence in the state include RTI International, Lenovo's North American operations, and Duke University. The most sought-after specialties are materials science, biomedical engineering, and applied computational research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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See related jobsApplied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is actively seeking a highly qualified engineer/scientist for the development of data analytic tools and techniques for the Intelligence and Defense communities. Application areas involve data analytics, machine learning, probabilistic modeling, intelligent systems, and software systems supporting these methods. The engineer/scientist will join a multi-disciplinary collaborative team of engineers and scientists.
We are seeking a highly qualified engineer/scientist to join our team. The ideal candidate will have active interest in applying software development and math/statistics/engineering concepts to solve multi-disciplinary problems. Candidate will have strong analytical skills and will be capable of translating ideas and proposed solutions into software tools and algorithms. The candidate should be familiar with improving/optimizing/tuning existing algorithms as well as development of new algorithms from scratch. This will include software design, software development, and debugging / issue resolution. The candidate should demonstrate a hands-on approach to problem solving and must be willing to actively participate in evaluation of algorithm and system performance. Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and debugging skills are required.
Scientists/engineers who are passionate about applying their expertise to solve problems of national importance, have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and are seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth in a stable environment are strongly encouraged to apply.
Position Requirements:
- The nature of work (i.e. interactions with the intelligence community and DoD programs) requires eligibility to apply for and hold a US security clearance; selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment
- BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years of experience
- Strong software development skills and proficiency in Python
- Solid mathematical foundation (e.g., linear algebra, probability)
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: data modeling and analytics, machine learning, probabilistic modeling, or intelligent agents
- Ability to work with data: preprocessing, transformation, and basic SQL or data storage concepts
- Proficiency in modern Python data and ML libraries (e.g., PyTorch, NumPy, Pandas/Polars)
- Familiarity with software engineering best practices, including testing, version control, and code review
- Experience going from problem statement to prototype to production-ready algorithms
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
Preferences:
Above all, we value passion, a continuous desire to learn, and teamwork. We are confident that if you possess the right attitude, work ethic, and skill set, you will succeed in the role. In addition to the experience and skills above, if you have any of the following, you will be able to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.
- PhD or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience in cloud-based, parallel, or distributed computing
- Ability and desire to quickly learn new domains
- Experience working on intelligence and DoD programs
- Prior / existing DoD security clearance
Who is ARA?
Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,112 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.
ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.
To find out more about what the Software Enterprise Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/
Experience
Required- 5 - 7 years: Relevant work experience
Education
Required- Bachelors or better in Computer Science or related field
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 notice from the Department of Labor.
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is actively seeking a highly qualified engineer/scientist for the development of data analytic tools and techniques for the Intelligence and Defense communities. Application areas involve data analytics, machine learning, probabilistic modeling, intelligent systems, and software systems supporting these methods. The engineer/scientist will join a multi-disciplinary collaborative team of engineers and scientists.
We are seeking a highly qualified engineer/scientist to join our team. The ideal candidate will have active interest in applying software development and math/statistics/engineering concepts to solve multi-disciplinary problems. Candidate will have strong analytical skills and will be capable of translating ideas and proposed solutions into software tools and algorithms. The candidate should be familiar with improving/optimizing/tuning existing algorithms as well as development of new algorithms from scratch. This will include software design, software development, and debugging / issue resolution. The candidate should demonstrate a hands-on approach to problem solving and must be willing to actively participate in evaluation of algorithm and system performance. Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and debugging skills are required.
Scientists/engineers who are passionate about applying their expertise to solve problems of national importance, have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and are seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth in a stable environment are strongly encouraged to apply.
Position Requirements:
- The nature of work (i.e. interactions with the intelligence community and DoD programs) requires eligibility to apply for and hold a US security clearance; selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment
- BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years of experience
- Strong software development skills and proficiency in Python
- Solid mathematical foundation (e.g., linear algebra, probability)
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: data modeling and analytics, machine learning, probabilistic modeling, or intelligent agents
- Ability to work with data: preprocessing, transformation, and basic SQL or data storage concepts
- Proficiency in modern Python data and ML libraries (e.g., PyTorch, NumPy, Pandas/Polars)
- Familiarity with software engineering best practices, including testing, version control, and code review
- Experience going from problem statement to prototype to production-ready algorithms
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
Preferences:
Above all, we value passion, a continuous desire to learn, and teamwork. We are confident that if you possess the right attitude, work ethic, and skill set, you will succeed in the role. In addition to the experience and skills above, if you have any of the following, you will be able to accelerate your effectiveness and impact.
- PhD or MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience in cloud-based, parallel, or distributed computing
- Ability and desire to quickly learn new domains
- Experience working on intelligence and DoD programs
- Prior / existing DoD security clearance
Who is ARA?
Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,112 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.
ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments.
To find out more about what the Software Enterprise Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/
Experience
Required- 5 - 7 years: Relevant work experience
Education
Required- Bachelors or better in Computer Science or related field
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 notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 5 Research Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Research Engineer JobsResearch Engineer Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research engineer jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, materials science, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with experimental design, data collection, and laboratory research methods
- Proficiency with data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or R for research applications
- Ability to author technical reports, white papers, and peer-reviewed research documentation
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams across engineering, product, and science groups
- Familiarity with grant-funded or government-contracted research environments and compliance requirements
Research Engineer Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research engineer in North Carolina?
Most research engineer roles in North Carolina require at minimum a bachelor's degree in an engineering or applied science discipline, with many positions at established research institutions requiring a master's or doctoral degree. North Carolina does not require a state-issued professional license specifically for research engineers, though candidates pursuing roles that cross into licensed professional engineering work may pursue licensure through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Research-intensive employers in the Research Triangle, including universities and federal contractors, commonly prioritize candidates with published work or laboratory research experience.
Which companies hire research engineers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring research engineers in North Carolina right now include Barrday, CVS Health, and Soelect, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's concentration of federally funded research institutions, major university medical centers, and defense contractors means hiring tends to be consistent year-round rather than cyclical.
Which North Carolina cities have the most research engineer jobs?
Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro have the most research engineer openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle area dominates due to the density of research universities, the Research Triangle Park campus hosting major technology and life sciences firms, and a large network of federal and state-funded research centers, while Charlotte draws openings tied to energy research and advanced manufacturing, and smaller metros reflect anchor employers rather than broad market depth.
Are there remote research engineer jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because much research engineering work requires laboratory access, physical testing environments, or on-site collaboration with equipment. About 0% of research engineer openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, representing a real but limited share of the market. The portions of the role most frequently done remotely include computational modeling, data analysis, and technical writing phases of research projects.
How can I get hired as a research engineer in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a co-op, funded graduate research assistantship, or a formal new-graduate program at one of North Carolina's major research employers. RTI International and university-affiliated research centers at North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill routinely bring on candidates with limited professional experience through research assistant and junior engineer roles. Candidates moving laterally from quality engineering, test engineering, or laboratory technician positions also compete well. A strong portfolio of independent or academic research projects, particularly anything tied to a published thesis or technical conference, gives early-career applicants a meaningful edge.
Where can I find and apply to research engineer jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to research engineer jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 5 Research Engineer Jobs in North Carolina
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