Research, Engineering & Design
No place combines research, design, and engineering like the Detroit Region
From concept to consumer, companies find everything they need to deliver world-class innovation here in the Detroit Region. With top engineers, cutting-edge technology, and nationally ranked research universities, solutions to the world’s most complex challenges start here.
- The Detroit Metro is ranked #2 in the U.S. for engineering and technician talent with more than 89,000 jobs.
- Detroit is the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States.
- Our University Research Corridor is one of the nation’s top academic research clusters and a leading engine for talent and innovation.
Don’t Take Our Word for It. Hear Why Other Companies Choose Detroit.
GM Builds New Center in Warren to Unlock Cheaper, Longer-Range Batteries
Die Casting Manufacturer Pace Industries Relocates HQ, Adds 60 jobs to Novi
Ford to Accelerate Battery Development with $185M Ford Ion Park Lab
Our Location Connects You with Opportunity. Explore The Detroit Region for Yourself.
Research, Engineering & Design Regional Facts
96,000+
Jobs in Research, Engineering & Design
2,000+
Businesses in the Industry Cluster
#2
U.S. Metro for Engineers and Technicians
$14.2 Billion
Gross Regional Product
of the Detroit RED Cluster
#6
State for Inventors
With 9,454 Patents in 2019
$108,457
Average Wage
RED Jobs in 2020
THE DETROIT REGION OFFERS AN UNPARALLELED INDUSTRY ECOSYSTEM. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT MAKES OUR HOME UNIQUE.
The Detroit Region stands out as a top location for research, design, and engineering talent.
When it comes to innovation, there’s no substitute for talent. Here in Detroit, our legacy of innovation continues to grow thanks to our highly skilled workforce. The Detroit Region produces and attracts top tier talent with the skills and specialized knowledge to design, engineer, manufacture, and ship just about anything.
- Detroit is the #2 U.S. Metro in total concentration of engineering talent with more than 89,000 jobs in the field.
- The Detroit Metro is #1 in the U.S. for both mechanical and industrial engineers.
- Detroit is the #2 U.S. Metro for commercial and industrial designers, with a higher overall talent density than Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles combined.
Our nationally recognized University Research Corridor fuels Detroit’s innovative talent pipeline.
The University Research Corridor is one of the nation’s top academic research clusters. Together, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University anchor a vast network of higher education institutions that continue to lead world-class research and supply talent to the region.
- In 2020, more than 8,100 students graduated from research, engineering, and design programs in the region.
- The University of Michigan is the nation’s #1 public research institution for research spending with 11 highly ranked engineering programs (U.S. News and World Report).
- The University Research Corridor is the #1 in the U.S. for R&D spending growth, producing an average of 12 U.S. patent applications each week (2017).
The Detroit Region’s unique and diverse ecosystem supports innovation at every level.
The Detroit Region is a premier global design hub where top tier universities, international businesses, and leading research organizations collaborate on innovation. Our region offers the talent, knowledge, and resources that companies need to engineer solutions in any industry—from automotive, to fashion, to digital tech, and everything in between.
- Detroit is the first UNESCO City of Design in the United States and the onlyS. city to earn that designation.
- The Detroit Region is home to more than 2,000 businesses in the RED industry cluster.
- Compared to other major U.S. metros, Detroit has the #2 lowest turnover rate for commercial and industrial designers.
Research, Engineering & Design Sources: Brookings Institution, Emsi Economic Modeling, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, University Research Corridor
Contact Our Expert
Alan Weber
VP, Global Investment & Trade