Salary for Senior-level / Expert Research Engineer during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Research Engineer salary lies between USD 150,000 and USD 240,000 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Research Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Engineer job listings are Research, Engineering and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 213 jobs Engineering | 170 jobs Machine Learning | 134 jobs Python | 132 jobs Computer Science | 108 jobs PhD | 74 jobs Deep Learning | 68 jobs PyTorch | 65 jobs TensorFlow | 56 jobs Testing | 50 jobs LLMs | 41 jobs Architecture | 39 jobs R | 38 jobs Statistics | 37 jobs NLP | 36 jobs Security | 35 jobs Open Source | 34 jobs Mathematics | 34 jobs Reinforcement Learning | 34 jobs Pipelines | 32 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Research Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Research Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 138 jobs Health care | 79 jobs Equity / stock options | 58 jobs Flex hours | 57 jobs Salary bonus | 47 jobs Startup environment | 44 jobs Flex vacation | 43 jobs Competitive pay | 41 jobs Insurance | 36 jobs Parental leave | 32 jobs Conferences | 30 jobs Medical leave | 29 jobs Team events | 28 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 25 jobs Wellness | 22 jobs Relocation support | 17 jobs 401(k) matching | 13 jobs Fitness / gym | 10 jobs Transparency | 10 jobs Fertility benefits | 10 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Senior-level or Expert Research Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the largest portion, often accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or company-wide, usually make up 10-20%. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies, and other benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech giants in Silicon Valley might offer substantial stock options, while companies in other regions might focus more on cash bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 180,000, consider pursuing leadership roles such as a team lead or manager, which often come with higher pay. Specializing in a niche area of AI/ML, such as deep learning or natural language processing, can also make you more valuable. Additionally, contributing to high-impact projects, publishing research, or obtaining patents can enhance your reputation and bargaining power. Networking within the industry and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most senior-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a master's degree in a related field such as computer science, data science, or statistics. A Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for research-focused roles, as it demonstrates a deep understanding of complex concepts and the ability to conduct independent research. Candidates with a strong academic background in mathematics, engineering, or physics may also be considered, provided they have relevant experience in AI/ML.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile. Certifications from reputable organizations like the Certified Data Scientist (CDS) or the TensorFlow Developer Certificate can be beneficial. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer specialized courses and nanodegrees in AI/ML that can also add value to your resume. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry advancements.

Required Experience

Typically, a senior-level position requires at least 5-10 years of experience in AI/ML or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with machine learning models, data analysis, and software development. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued. A proven track record of successful projects, publications, or contributions to open-source projects can significantly bolster your application.

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