Research Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island

Research Engineer jobs in Rhode Island are concentrated in Providence, Warwick, and the greater Narragansett Bay corridor, where defense systems, biomedical devices, and advanced materials research drive consistent hiring at every level from entry-level associate to principal researcher. Organizations such as Raytheon Technologies, Brown University, and Lifespan Health System maintain a lasting presence in the state and represent some of its most active research engineering employers. The most in-demand specialties include RF and antenna systems, biomedical instrumentation, and materials characterization. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Research Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles29
Top employerBrown University Health
Top cityProvidence, RI
Cities hiring8
Work type75% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 29+ Research Engineer jobs

Providence College
Director of Sponsored Projects & Research Compliance
We won't show you this job again
Providence College
New 11h ago
Director of Sponsored Projects & Research Compliance
Providence College
Providence, Rhode Island
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$110k - $120k/yr
Master's degree
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

Brown University Health
Research Project Coordinator
We won't show you this job again
Brown University Health
Added 1d ago
Research Project Coordinator
Brown University Health
Providence, Rhode Island
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$53k - $88k/yr
Bachelor's degree in psychology
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Brown University
Research Assistant
We won't show you this job again
Brown University
Added 4d ago
Research Assistant
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Bachelor's degree in biology
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Care New England Health System
Clinical Research Asst II
We won't show you this job again
Care New England Health System
Added 1w ago
Clinical Research Asst II
Care New England Health System
Providence, Rhode Island
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$21 - $33/hr
Bachelor's degree
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Care New England Health System
Research Assistant
We won't show you this job again
Care New England Health System
Added 1w ago
Research Assistant
Care New England Health System
Providence, Rhode Island
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$19 - $31/hr
Bachelor of Science
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 29 Research Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island

Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Engineer Jobs

Research Engineer Jobs by City in Rhode Island

Where Rhode Island roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Providence
16 jobs
Kingston
3 jobs
East Providence
3 jobs
Warwick
2 jobs
Pawtucket
2 jobs
Clayville
1 job
Glocester
1 job
North Kingstown
1 job

Research Engineer Job Market in Rhode Island

A snapshot from current Rhode Island openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Brown University Health
    Brown University Health11
  • Care New England Health System
    Care New England Health System5
  • Brown University
    Brown University3
  • The University of Rhode Island
    The University of Rhode Island3
  • BD
    BD1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What Rhode Island Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research engineer jobs across Rhode Island.

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering, physics, or a closely related technical field
  • Demonstrated experience designing and executing controlled laboratory or field experiments
  • Proficiency with data acquisition systems, MATLAB, Python, or domain-specific simulation software
  • Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. security clearance for defense-sector research positions
  • Experience documenting research findings in technical reports, publications, or patent disclosures
  • Familiarity with regulatory standards relevant to biomedical, defense, or materials research environments

Research Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research engineer in Rhode Island?

Most research engineer roles in Rhode Island require at minimum a bachelor's degree in an accredited engineering or physical science discipline, and many positions at defense contractors and research hospitals prefer a master's or doctoral degree. Rhode Island does not mandate a state-issued professional engineer license for most industry research roles, though a PE license from the Rhode Island State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors strengthens candidacy for roles that touch public-facing design or infrastructure.

Which companies hire research engineers in Rhode Island?

Employers hiring research engineers in Rhode Island right now include Brown University Health, Care New England Health System, and Brown University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Rhode Island's defense manufacturing base and its concentration of research universities and hospital systems make it a particularly active state for sustained research engineering recruitment across multiple disciplines.

Which Rhode Island cities have the most research engineer jobs?

The cities with the most research engineer openings in Rhode Island are Providence, Kingston, and East Providence. Providence anchors the market as the state's largest metro, home to Brown University, major hospital networks, and professional services firms, while surrounding communities like Warwick and East Providence benefit from the overflow of defense and biomedical employers clustered along the Route 2 and Route 95 corridors.

Are there remote research engineer jobs in Rhode Island?

Yes, but they're rare. Research engineering typically requires hands-on laboratory work, prototype testing, or access to specialized equipment, so fully remote arrangements are uncommon compared to purely analytical fields. About 25% of research engineer openings tied to Rhode Island are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those opportunities tend to cluster in data analysis, computational modeling, and technical writing functions rather than core experimental work.

How can I get hired as a research engineer in Rhode Island with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a co-op or research assistant role secured through Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, or Rhode Island School of Design's industry partnership programs, which connect students and recent graduates directly with state employers. Lifespan Health System and Raytheon Technologies both onboard junior researchers through structured associate and rotational programs. Candidates without a formal research background can also transition from adjacent roles such as quality engineer, lab technician, or test engineer, especially with a strong project portfolio or a relevant graduate-level credential.

Where can I find and apply to research engineer jobs in Rhode Island?

You can find and apply to research engineer jobs in Rhode Island on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's defense, biomedical, and academic research sectors. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 29 Research Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island

Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Engineer Jobs