Research, Engineering & Design

Detroit researches, designs, and engineers, like nowhere else in the world

Few places have the talent and ingenuity to innovate through every step of the product life cycle, from concept to consumer. Of course, few places are like Detroit. A region where engineers, world-class research universities, and innovative, global companies are designing the solutions to the world’s most complex challenges. It’s the place to be to research, design, and engineer the future.
View Industry Profile
Download as PDF

Research, Engineering & Design Regional Facts

97,000+
Jobs in Research, Engineering & Design
 
2,100+
Businesses in the Industry Cluster
 
#2
U.S. Metro for Engineers and Technicians
 
$16.1 Billion
Gross Regional Product
of the Detroit RED Cluster
#6
State for Inventors
With 9,454 Patents in 2019
#2
U.S. Metro for Commercial and Industrial Designers
 

Our Location Connects You with Opportunity. Explore The Detroit Region for Yourself.

View Mapping Portal

Wins & Testimonials

XL Fleet Moves to the Detroit Region

The Detroit Region continues to lead the charge for electrification in the automotive industry by attracting innovative EV companies like XL Fleet. From state incentives to talent recruitment, the Detroit Regional Partnership helped them every step of the way, supporting the creation of nearly 50 new jobs.
“At Apple, we are thrilled to open the first Apple Developer Academy in the U.S. in downtown Detroit–a city full of resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurship.”
– Lisa Jackson, Apple
“Locating in the Detroit Region allows the company to draw from one of the densest engineering talent pools in the United States. Quality talent, low-cost of living, and many other factors were among decisive reasons Ann Arbor was selected for our new R&D hub.”
– Bobby Bell, KLA-Tencor
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

Fast Facts

Black Female Engineer Working On Industrial Machine In A Laboratory.

Top Design Talent

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.
View Industry Profile
The University of Michigan's modern business school in Ann Arbor

Higher Education Pipeline

The University of Michigan is the nation’s #1 public research institution for research spending with 11 highly ranked engineering programs.
View Industry Profile
Woman welding in a manufacturing workshop

Global Design Hub

Detroit is the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States.
View Industry Profile

THE DETROIT REGION OFFERS AN UNPARALLELED INDUSTRY ECOSYSTEM. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT MAKES OUR HOME UNIQUE.

Why Choose the Detroit Region

Contact Our Expert

Alan Weber

Alan Weber

Managing VP, Business Development

Contact Our Expert