Top 10 Manufacturing R&D Jobs in Cleveland for 2026

Cleveland’s manufacturing sector continues to evolve in 2026 — blending traditional heavy industry with advanced materials, additive manufacturing, automation, robotics, and advanced analytics. With a strong regional base of manufacturing giants, medical device innovators, automotive suppliers, and tech-driven startups, Cleveland offers excellent opportunities for R&D professionals who can push production systems and products to the next level.

Below are the Top 10 Manufacturing R&D Jobs in Cleveland for 2026 — each with a role overview, approximate salary range, and the typical hiring sectors.

1. R&D Mechanical Engineer – Advanced Manufacturing

Mechanical Engineers in R&D design and prototype advanced machinery, tools, and components that support next-generation manufacturing processes. In Cleveland, R&D teams focus on modular automation, smart equipment, and precision machining.

Salary Range: $90,000–$140,000+
Hiring: Manufacturing firms, robotics integrators, industrial automation companies

2. Materials Scientist / Materials R&D Engineer

Materials R&D Engineers study and develop advanced metals, composites, coatings, and additive materials to improve strength, performance, and sustainability of manufactured products.

Salary Range: $95,000–$145,000+
Hiring: Medical device makers, automotive suppliers, advanced materials labs

3. Robotics & Automation R&D Engineer

These engineers design, test, and refine robotic systems, control algorithms, and automation frameworks to increase production efficiency and flexibility. Cleveland manufacturers are investing heavily in robotics and automated workflows.

Salary Range: $100,000–$150,000+
Hiring: Industrial robotics firms, OEMs, automation integrators

4. Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing R&D Specialist

Additive Manufacturing Specialists focus on the research and implementation of 3D printing technologies for parts production, tooling, and rapid prototyping — helping companies accelerate design cycles.

Salary Range: $90,000–$140,000+
Hiring: Aerospace suppliers, medical device companies, advanced manufacturing research centers

5. Manufacturing Process Development Engineer

These engineers innovate and optimize manufacturing processes — refining assembly methods, tooling, work cell layouts, and production scaling for high-quality outputs.

Salary Range: $95,000–$145,000+
Hiring: Lean manufacturers, contract manufacturers, precision production firms

6. Controls Systems / Mechatronics R&D Engineer

Controls and Mechatronics Engineers develop embedded control systems, PLC/SCADA frameworks, and sensor networks that enable smart manufacturing and real-time production monitoring.

Salary Range: $100,000–$150,000+
Hiring: Industrial automation firms, system integrators, advanced factory programs

7. Data Scientist – Manufacturing Analytics

Manufacturing Data Scientists design and implement predictive models, yield analytics, and machine performance insights using production data — helping teams improve quality, throughput, and costs.

Salary Range: $100,000–$160,000+
Hiring: Tech-enabled manufacturers, analytics consultancies, quality optimization teams

8. Product Development Engineer – Consumer/Industrial Products

Product Development Engineers work at the intersection of design and manufacturing — prototyping new product ideas, optimizing designs for manufacturability, and supporting testing for performance and durability.

Salary Range: $90,000–$140,000+
Hiring: Industrial OEMs, consumer product manufacturers, R&D labs

9. Quality/Metrology R&D Engineer

Quality and Metrology Engineers develop new techniques and tools for precise measurement, inspection, and tolerance validation — ensuring products meet specification and performance goals.

Salary Range: $85,000–$130,000+
Hiring: Precision manufacturers, automotive suppliers, medical device firms

10. Sustainability & Circular Manufacturing Specialist

These specialists focus on researching and implementing sustainable manufacturing practices — designing processes that reduce waste, improve material reuse, and meet environmental performance targets.

Salary Range: $80,000–$130,000+
Hiring: Manufacturers with green initiatives, sustainability consultancies, advanced materials firms

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