Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky
Design Engineer jobs in Kentucky are steady and growing, with consistent demand from the state's manufacturing, automotive, and defense sectors at levels from entry to senior. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green are the busiest hiring markets, anchored by employers such as Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, and Raytheon Technologies. The most in-demand specialties are mechanical design, product development, and manufacturing systems engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Design Engineer Level 2
Summary
Interfaces with the Design Engineering Supervisor and Design Engineer 3 to develop Designer System Conveyors and product handling components.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Interfaces with Design Engineer 3 regarding non-standard Designer System specifications. Responsible for implementation of mid-level non-standard Designer System components.
- Assists with the design, development, and implementation of all products and systems. Has a broad knowledge of engineering procedures. Interfaces with Account Managers, Production Managers, and Assembly Leaders to ensure the project is designed and built to customer expectations. Assist Design Engineers and Detailers on all job specifications.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the design principles and standards for Design Detailer Level 1 and 2, Design Engineer Level 1 and Level 2 components.
See All 27 Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky
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Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Mining & Natural Resources
- Manufacturing
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across Kentucky.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo for design documentation
- Experience with product development processes from concept through prototype to production
- Familiarity with GD&T standards and engineering drawing interpretation
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes relevant to automotive or industrial production environments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration
Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in Kentucky?
Most design engineer roles in Kentucky require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program. Kentucky does not mandate a state-issued license for most industry design engineer positions, though engineers who stamp public-facing drawings must hold a Professional Engineer license issued by the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Gaining co-op or internship experience with Kentucky manufacturers strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire design engineers in Kentucky?
Companies currently hiring design engineers in Kentucky include AECOM, OHM Advisors, and Ryder System, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's deep concentration of automotive assembly and supplier plants, alongside aerospace and defense contractors, keeps demand for design engineers active across the state year-round.
Which Kentucky cities have the most design engineer jobs?
Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort hold the most design engineer openings in Kentucky. Louisville drives volume through its mix of advanced manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare device firms, while Lexington benefits from Toyota's regional presence and a cluster of automotive suppliers, and Bowling Green draws steady postings from the Corvette assembly plant and its surrounding supplier network.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Design engineering work is largely hands-on, involving lab testing, prototype review, and factory floor coordination that requires physical presence. About 62% of design engineer openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, so most positions will expect you on-site at least part of the week. The tasks most likely offered remotely are CAD modeling, documentation review, and vendor communication.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to co-op and new-graduate programs run by large Kentucky manufacturers such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown and Ford in Louisville, both of which actively recruit recent engineering graduates. Entry-level titles like junior design engineer, engineering associate, or product development technician are common starting points. A strong CAD portfolio and coursework in manufacturing processes give candidates a clear edge when competing for these openings.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from each listing.
See All 27 Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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