Design Engineer Jobs in Nebraska
Design Engineer jobs in Nebraska are concentrated in manufacturing, agricultural equipment, and defense sectors, with steady demand at levels from entry-level drafting roles to senior mechanical and systems positions. Omaha and Lincoln account for the majority of postings, with Grand Island drawing additional activity tied to agricultural and industrial equipment production. Well-established employers including Valmont Industries, Union Pacific, and Strattec Security maintain consistent design engineering needs across the state. Product design, mechanical systems, and structural engineering are the specialties drawing the strongest hiring interest. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Design Engineer jobs
RD Industries is a leading manufacturer of innovative closed-loop chemical containment and dispensing solutions, proudly headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. With decades of expertise and a portfolio of patented technologies, we serve customers across the globe with products designed to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. At RDI, we are committed to engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and delivering best-in-class solutions that protect people and the environment. Our team thrives on collaboration, accountability, and innovation — making RD Industries a place where every employee can make a meaningful impact.
- Lead the design and development of new products and components from concept through production release.
- Create and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and specifications using SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
- Evaluate technical feasibility through calculations, simulations, prototyping, and testing.
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to evaluate customer needs and market opportunities.
- Ensure designs comply with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and customer requirements.
- Develop and execute verification and validation plans, including FMEA, lifecycle, and performance testing.
- Establish and document standard test protocols and results to ensure product robustness and reliability.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize tooling, molds, and process capability.
- Support prototype builds and pre-production activities to ensure readiness for scale-up.
- Provide technical guidance to troubleshoot and resolve design and production challenges.
- Enhance existing product designs for quality, performance and cost efficiency.
- Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and DFM/DFA principles to reduce scrap, improve manufacturability, and drive process improvements.
- Prepare, maintain, and control technical documentation, drawings, BOMs, and testing reports.
- Capture and safeguard intellectual property developed during design activities.
- Contribute to RDI’s culture of innovation by identifying opportunities for product and process advancements.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks (preferred), AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Familiarity with PLM systems, additive manufacturing, and rapid prototyping.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, DFM/DFA, and quality system requirements.
- Ability to balance design innovation with manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Product Design Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5 years of product design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment required.
- Experience with plastic injection molding, medical devices, or consumer products preferred.
- Office and manufacturing floor environments; regular use of PPE required when in production areas.
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with company contribution
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible paid time off for vacation and personal time, in accordance with Company policy
- 8 paid holidays
- Employee Referral Program
- PayActiv Wallet – access your earned pay on demand
RD Industries is a leading manufacturer of innovative closed-loop chemical containment and dispensing solutions, proudly headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. With decades of expertise and a portfolio of patented technologies, we serve customers across the globe with products designed to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. At RDI, we are committed to engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and delivering best-in-class solutions that protect people and the environment. Our team thrives on collaboration, accountability, and innovation — making RD Industries a place where every employee can make a meaningful impact.
- Lead the design and development of new products and components from concept through production release.
- Create and maintain detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, and specifications using SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
- Evaluate technical feasibility through calculations, simulations, prototyping, and testing.
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to evaluate customer needs and market opportunities.
- Ensure designs comply with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and customer requirements.
- Develop and execute verification and validation plans, including FMEA, lifecycle, and performance testing.
- Establish and document standard test protocols and results to ensure product robustness and reliability.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize tooling, molds, and process capability.
- Support prototype builds and pre-production activities to ensure readiness for scale-up.
- Provide technical guidance to troubleshoot and resolve design and production challenges.
- Enhance existing product designs for quality, performance and cost efficiency.
- Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and DFM/DFA principles to reduce scrap, improve manufacturability, and drive process improvements.
- Prepare, maintain, and control technical documentation, drawings, BOMs, and testing reports.
- Capture and safeguard intellectual property developed during design activities.
- Contribute to RDI’s culture of innovation by identifying opportunities for product and process advancements.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks (preferred), AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Familiarity with PLM systems, additive manufacturing, and rapid prototyping.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T, DFM/DFA, and quality system requirements.
- Ability to balance design innovation with manufacturability, reliability, and cost.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Product Design Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 3–5 years of product design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment required.
- Experience with plastic injection molding, medical devices, or consumer products preferred.
- Office and manufacturing floor environments; regular use of PPE required when in production areas.
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with company contribution
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible paid time off for vacation and personal time, in accordance with Company policy
- 8 paid holidays
- Employee Referral Program
- PayActiv Wallet – access your earned pay on demand
See All 27 Design Engineer Jobs in Nebraska
Find roles in Nebraska that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in Nebraska
Where Nebraska roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in Nebraska
A snapshot from current Nebraska openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Valmont Industries13
- Olsson3
- RailPros2
- Ryder System2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Nebraska Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across Nebraska.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or related engineering discipline required
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo
- Experience with product lifecycle management and engineering change processes
- Knowledge of GD&T, manufacturing tolerances, and materials selection
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing and quality
- Professional Engineer licensure through the Nebraska State Board of Engineers and Architects preferred for senior roles
Design Engineer Jobs in Nebraska: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in Nebraska?
Most design engineer positions in Nebraska require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, electrical, or civil engineering from an accredited program. For roles involving public projects or advanced responsibility, licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Nebraska State Board of Engineers and Architects is often expected, requiring passage of the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Employers in manufacturing and agricultural equipment also value hands-on CAD proficiency and internship experience.
Which companies hire design engineers in Nebraska?
Companies currently hiring design engineers in Nebraska include Valmont Industries, Valmont Industries, and Olsson, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Nebraska's manufacturing base, anchored in agricultural equipment, defense, and infrastructure, means large industrials and systems integrators are consistently among the steadiest sources of openings.
Which Nebraska cities have the most design engineer jobs?
Omaha, Lincoln, and Valley lead Nebraska for design engineer openings. Omaha's concentration of manufacturing, defense contractors, and corporate headquarters drives the largest share of postings, while Lincoln's engineering firms and university-linked industries support consistent demand, and Grand Island's agricultural and industrial equipment sector adds meaningful volume for mechanical and product-focused roles.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in Nebraska?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical fields, since design engineering often involves prototyping, lab work, and on-site collaboration. About 40% of design engineer openings tied to Nebraska are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of much of the work. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are CAD modeling, documentation, and design review meetings.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in Nebraska with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior design engineer or engineering associate roles at Nebraska's manufacturing and industrial employers, which regularly bring on recent graduates from University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Nebraska engineering programs. Valmont Industries and Union Pacific both run structured early-career programs that accept new graduates. Building a CAD portfolio and completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early strengthens applications considerably, as does targeting roles in quality or manufacturing engineering as adjacent entry points.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in Nebraska?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in Nebraska on Migrate Mate, which lists current Nebraska openings. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 27 Design Engineer Jobs in Nebraska
Find roles in Nebraska that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer Jobs