Research Engineer Jobs in Washington
Research Engineer jobs in Washington are concentrated in Seattle, Bellevue, and the greater Puget Sound corridor, where institutions like the University of Washington, Microsoft, and Boeing maintain large research and development operations across machine learning, aerospace systems, and materials science. Demand runs from entry-level positions to principal-level roles, making Washington one of the most active markets in the country for this discipline. The region's deep university and technology industry ties sustain consistent hiring even outside economic peaks. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Research Engineer, Machine Perception (Project Aria) Responsibilities:
- Plan and execute innovative engineering development to advance the state-of-the-art in machine perception for AR/VR — including vision-language models (VLMs), multimodal and egocentric scene understanding, and foundation models
- Develop and prototype tightly integrated hardware/software technologies, from research prototype to on-device deployment
- Analyze and improve the efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and stability of currently deployed systems
- Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms against real sensor data and experimental hardware
- Build tooling and infrastructure (data pipelines, replay/evaluation systems, benchmarks) that accelerate the research team
- Collaborate with researchers and engineers across disciplines throughout the project lifecycle, and clearly communicate agenda, progress, and results
Minimum Qualifications:
- 6+ years of C++ or Python experience building and shipping software systems
- Experience understanding, developing, and analyzing complex systems
- Experience with statistical analysis of data and mathematical modeling
- Interpersonal experience: cross-group and cross-functional collaboration
- Must obtain and maintain work authorization in the country of employment during employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience taking research prototypes to deployed products on constrained/embedded hardware
- Track record of results via first-authored publications at leading venues (CVPR, ICCV/ECCV, NeurIPS, ICLR, SIGGRAPH) or widely used open-source contributions
- Broad understanding of the full machine-perception pipeline, from sensors to high-level algorithms
- Experience with 3D computer vision, SLAM, vision-language models (VLMs), or multimodal learning
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$154,003/year to $217,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
Research Engineer, Machine Perception (Project Aria) Responsibilities:
- Plan and execute innovative engineering development to advance the state-of-the-art in machine perception for AR/VR — including vision-language models (VLMs), multimodal and egocentric scene understanding, and foundation models
- Develop and prototype tightly integrated hardware/software technologies, from research prototype to on-device deployment
- Analyze and improve the efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and stability of currently deployed systems
- Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms against real sensor data and experimental hardware
- Build tooling and infrastructure (data pipelines, replay/evaluation systems, benchmarks) that accelerate the research team
- Collaborate with researchers and engineers across disciplines throughout the project lifecycle, and clearly communicate agenda, progress, and results
Minimum Qualifications:
- 6+ years of C++ or Python experience building and shipping software systems
- Experience understanding, developing, and analyzing complex systems
- Experience with statistical analysis of data and mathematical modeling
- Interpersonal experience: cross-group and cross-functional collaboration
- Must obtain and maintain work authorization in the country of employment during employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience taking research prototypes to deployed products on constrained/embedded hardware
- Track record of results via first-authored publications at leading venues (CVPR, ICCV/ECCV, NeurIPS, ICLR, SIGGRAPH) or widely used open-source contributions
- Broad understanding of the full machine-perception pipeline, from sensors to high-level algorithms
- Experience with 3D computer vision, SLAM, vision-language models (VLMs), or multimodal learning
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$154,003/year to $217,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
See All 38 Research Engineer Jobs in Washington
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Find Research Engineer JobsResearch Engineer Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Engineer Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Artificial Intelligence
- Insurance
- Investment & Asset Management
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research engineer jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Demonstrated experience designing and executing research experiments or technical investigations
- Proficiency with data analysis tools, scientific computing environments, or domain-specific simulation software
- Ability to document research findings clearly and present results to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience collaborating on cross-functional or multidisciplinary research teams in an industry or academic setting
- Familiarity with intellectual property procedures, publication standards, or technology transfer processes
Research Engineer Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research engineer in Washington?
Most research engineer roles in Washington require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field, with many positions at major employers preferring a master's or doctorate. Washington does not require a state-issued license specifically for the research engineer title, though engineers who sign off on public-facing designs may need a Professional Engineer registration through the Washington State Department of Licensing. Building a portfolio of published work, patents, or project outcomes strengthens candidacy significantly in this market.
Which companies hire research engineers in Washington?
Companies currently hiring research engineers in Washington include Meta, ByteDance, and The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Washington's concentration of technology headquarters, aerospace manufacturers, and research universities means hiring is spread across both large established employers and well-funded spinout companies.
Which Washington cities have the most research engineer jobs?
Seattle, Redmond, and Pullman account for the largest share of research engineer openings in Washington. Seattle and Bellevue drive the majority of postings due to the presence of major technology and aerospace employers headquartered in the Puget Sound region, while Redmond and Kirkland contribute meaningfully as home to large campus-style research operations, and university towns like Pullman see openings tied to Washington State University's engineering programs.
Are there remote research engineer jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical roles because many research engineer positions involve lab access, proprietary equipment, or hands-on prototyping. About 30% of research engineer openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with the remote-eligible subset concentrated in modeling, simulation, and software-heavy research functions that do not require physical lab presence.
How can I get hired as a research engineer in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or associate engineer role, which major Washington employers including Boeing, Microsoft, and the University of Washington regularly post for candidates with a relevant degree and no prior industry experience. University of Washington and Washington State University both have formal research internship pipelines that feed into full-time roles. Candidates moving laterally from quality assurance, test engineering, or data analysis positions often transition successfully. A strong capstone project, published academic work, or a GitHub repository demonstrating technical methods gives early-career applicants a measurable edge in Washington screening processes.
Where can I find and apply to research engineer jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to research engineer jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings updated in real time. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, experience level, and preferred location within the state, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 38 Research Engineer Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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