Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Design Engineer jobs in Michigan are in strong demand, concentrated in automotive and advanced manufacturing, industrial machinery, and aerospace defense, with openings at every level from entry-level drafters to senior systems designers. Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor anchor the market, and established employers such as Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis consistently hire design engineers across product development, powertrain, and tooling disciplines. The most sought-after specialties in Michigan right now are mechanical design, CAD-intensive product development, and electrification systems engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 173+ Design Engineer jobs
Your Tasks:
- Design and detail industrial electrical control systems, including both hardware and software.
- Develop electrical drawings and control system documentation using established standards, examples, and reference projects.
- Generate bills of equipment and specify electrical and controls components.
- Develop and modify PLC/controller code and graphical user interface/HMI code.
- Support designs through equipment fabrication and software testing.
- Participate in on-site startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and debugging of control system functions.
- Interface directly with customers to understand requirements and establish design goals.
- Support instrumentation and process-control applications.
- Work with controls associated with automated and robotic systems.
- Maintain accurate design documentation, transmittal records, and document control.
- Coordinate engineering activities with project schedules and broader project requirements.
- Travel approximately 30% to support project and customer needs.
Your Skills:
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Three or more years of relevant electrical or controls engineering experience.
- Experience designing industrial electrical control systems and control panels.
- Ability to develop and interpret electrical engineering drawings and documentation.
- Familiarity with PLC programming and industrial controllers.
- Familiarity with HMI or graphical user interface programming.
- Ability to interpret NEC requirements and applicable local electrical codes.
- Familiarity with instrumentation and process-control systems.
- Familiarity with industrial computer operating systems and networking.
- Experience or familiarity with robotic cell design.
- Familiarity with hazardous-area classifications.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to understand and work within project schedules.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and within a project team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- SAP experience is a plus.
- Willingness to travel approximately 30%.
Your Tasks:
- Design and detail industrial electrical control systems, including both hardware and software.
- Develop electrical drawings and control system documentation using established standards, examples, and reference projects.
- Generate bills of equipment and specify electrical and controls components.
- Develop and modify PLC/controller code and graphical user interface/HMI code.
- Support designs through equipment fabrication and software testing.
- Participate in on-site startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and debugging of control system functions.
- Interface directly with customers to understand requirements and establish design goals.
- Support instrumentation and process-control applications.
- Work with controls associated with automated and robotic systems.
- Maintain accurate design documentation, transmittal records, and document control.
- Coordinate engineering activities with project schedules and broader project requirements.
- Travel approximately 30% to support project and customer needs.
Your Skills:
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- Three or more years of relevant electrical or controls engineering experience.
- Experience designing industrial electrical control systems and control panels.
- Ability to develop and interpret electrical engineering drawings and documentation.
- Familiarity with PLC programming and industrial controllers.
- Familiarity with HMI or graphical user interface programming.
- Ability to interpret NEC requirements and applicable local electrical codes.
- Familiarity with instrumentation and process-control systems.
- Familiarity with industrial computer operating systems and networking.
- Experience or familiarity with robotic cell design.
- Familiarity with hazardous-area classifications.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to understand and work within project schedules.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and within a project team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- SAP experience is a plus.
- Willingness to travel approximately 30%.
See All 173+ Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Stellantis27
- ALTEN16
- General Motors (GM)12
- Ford Motor Company8
- Stryker6
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Medical Devices
- Technology & Software
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Proficiency in CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX for 3D modeling and drafting
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and product lifecycle management tools
- Familiarity with automotive or manufacturing design standards and DFMEA processes
- Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional work with manufacturing and quality teams
- EIT or PE licensure through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs preferred for senior roles
Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in Michigan?
The standard path is a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited university, followed by entry-level work in product or manufacturing design. Michigan does not require a state license to work as a design engineer, but pursuing the Engineer-in-Training credential and eventually a Professional Engineer license through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs strengthens long-term career prospects, especially in automotive and defense.
Which companies hire design engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring design engineers in Michigan right now include Stellantis, ALTEN, and General Motors (GM), based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Michigan's deep automotive supply chain means many openings also come from Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers serving the Detroit metro's assembly plants.
Which Michigan cities have the most design engineer jobs?
Auburn Hills, Dearborn, and Warren have the most design engineer openings in Michigan. Detroit and its suburbs dominate because of the headquarters and engineering centers of the major automakers and their global suppliers, while Grand Rapids draws openings from West Michigan's sizable office furniture, medical device, and diversified manufacturing base.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical fields, because design engineering often requires lab access, prototype reviews, and on-site collaboration with manufacturing teams. About 47% of design engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote work most likely in software-integrated design, simulation, and CAD review tasks rather than hands-on prototype work.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship during your engineering degree, since automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis all run structured early-career programs that convert to full-time offers. New graduates who enter as junior mechanical or product engineers, or move laterally from drafting or tooling technician roles, build the hands-on experience employers expect. Completing your EIT credential and assembling a CAD portfolio with real project files gives you a measurable edge in Michigan's competitive market.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Michigan employers. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 173+ Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer Jobs