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.
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Conducted under the auspices of the Dominican Friars, Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican, liberal arts institution of higher education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of God and neighbor. We seek candidates who can affirm and contribute to our mission.
Providence College is also an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a Beloved Community— an environment that reflects the rich diversity of the human family and is marked by justice, charity and the promotion of the common good and flourishing of all. We invite applications from qualified individuals who possess the experience, knowledge and commitment to develop the diverse learning environment envisioned as part of the Beloved Community. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The College’s Non-Discrimination policy can be found Notice of Non-Discrimination (PDF document) (Download PDF reader)
Overview
Duties and Responsibilities
- Actively assist faculty and other College staff in identifying and securing grant support, including negotiation of appropriate overhead rates, to maximize sponsored research funding from governmental and private agencies. Provide leadership in facilitating and coordinating new faculty research initiatives, including developing project ideas, soliciting participation from faculty across school and departmental/program lines, and identifying potential cooperating agencies and organizations. Manage assistance provided to faculty in the preparation, review, and management of grant and contract proposals and budget, and electronic research administration. Design new, and support existing, faculty development programs to enhance research and grant-seeking skills and project fiscal administration skills. Collaborate across multiple areas of the College to develop processes, systems, and approaches for grants management. (40%)
- Oversee and coordinate the research compliance programs (IRB, IACUC, IBC, IP, and Tech transfer, RCR, FCol). Keep the College's Federal Wide Assurance (FWA), and serve as the human protection administrator/liaison with the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP). Advise IRB on OHRP rules/regulations on compliance matters. Convene a campus-wide Research Compliance Committee comprised of key campus-wide compliance committees and other constituents. Chair the Intellectual Property Committee and manage the implementation of the technology transfer and IP policies. Serve as the Ex-Officio on the IACUC and provide guidance regarding OLAW regulations. Ensure compliance with the FWA and submit renewal as needed. Implement the FCol policy for federal awards. Ensure Annual Financial Conflict of Interest Disclosures and reviews occur, and management plans are developed as needed. Serve as CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) lead and point of contact for compliance training. (20%)
- Develop and sustain federal, state, local, and inter-institutional linkages and relationships to cultivate funding relationships for faculty; work collaboratively with staff in Academic Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Finance & Business, Environmental Health & Safety, Public Affairs, Community & Government Relations, General Counsel, and school deans in reaching program objectives; serve as liaison to College's Undergraduate Research Committee and collaborate on development of an institutionalized undergraduate student research program, and liaison with funding agencies, as appropriate. (20%)
- Oversee Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance program budget and IDC recovery allocation, develop short- and long-range plans for sponsored research at the College, represent Academic Affairs when appropriate, especially in opportunities that promote faculty research, develop short- and long-range projection of sponsored program activities to establish College goals, help to promote the involvement of students in faculty research, and develop and document standard operation procedures/policies as appropriate. (20%)
MARGINAL DUTIES:
- Perform all other duties as may be required.
Education and Experience
- Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in a related field required
- Five years’ experience, or its equivalent, in a higher education or grant-related educational environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, students, department chairs and deans, and staff representing the full spectrum of the College’s programs and departments
- Demonstrated experience interacting with external funding agencies, as well as co-sponsoring organizations in grant development implementation
- Knowledge of federal regulations and the research compliance landscape, policies, and procedures.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills
- Strong organizational skills
- General quantitative proficiency, including fluency with spreadsheets and accounting software
Supplemental Information
- Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time
- Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction
- Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard
- Communication skills using the spoken word
- Ability to see within normal parameters
- Ability to hear within normal range
- Ability to move about
DISCLAIMER: This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.
NOTICE OF E-VERIFY PARTICIPATION
Providence College participates in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired to work in the United States. Before submitting this application, please review the following documents:
- E-Verify Notice of Participation
- Right to Work
By continuing with this application, you acknowledge that you have been informed of our participation in E-Verify and have had the opportunity to review these notices.
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 JobsResearch Engineer Jobs by City in Rhode Island
Where Rhode Island roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Engineer Job Market in Rhode Island
A snapshot from current Rhode Island openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Brown University Health11

- Care New England Health System5

- Brown University3

- The University of Rhode Island3

- 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.
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