Design Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
Design Engineer jobs in New Jersey are in steady demand, with the state's dense concentration of pharmaceutical, aerospace, defense, and industrial manufacturing firms driving openings from entry-level positions through senior and principal roles. The heaviest hiring activity clusters around Newark, Parsippany, and Princeton, where established employers like Johnson & Johnson, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in New Jersey listings include mechanical design, product development engineering, and systems integration work tied to medical devices and defense platforms. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Requisition ID: 110605
Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Job Information
Salary Range: $80,500 - $94,500
The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
Primary Role
The Design Engineer is responsible for executing detailed engineering design for capital investment projects addressing water and wastewater treatment, pumping, and conveyance facilities. Under the general guidance of senior engineering staff, the role includes interpreting data, understanding end user requirements, preparing calculations and design documents, assisting with the determination of permitting requirements and preparation of permit application packages, and providing technical support during construction, commissioning, and initial operation. The Design Engineer coordinates with internal technical resources, external consulting firms, and other project team members to ensure timely completion of assigned tasks. Within the assigned area of expertise, the role includes supporting the development of technical standards, standard specifications, and approved product/vendor lists, all in support of overall operational excellence and engineering center of excellence initiatives within American Water.
Key Accountabilities
- Participate in evaluations and inspections of water and wastewater facilities to identify deficiencies and capital improvements necessary to reliably meet current and future service needs. Develop design solutions for assigned components of new facilities and expansion/renovation of existing facilities.
- Prepare calculations, drawings, technical specifications, permitting documents, and bidding documents associated with delivery of assigned capital investment projects. This includes performing design work directly in CAD software and coordinating drawing production with other engineering staff.
- Manage small projects or components of larger projects, coordinating with internal team members and third party consulting firms to ensure timely task completion. Anticipate and communicate potential implementation obstacles to senior engineering staff.
- Apply Company standards for capacity, performance, reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance; participate in quality control reviews of own work and the work of others as assigned.
- Provide technical support during construction, commissioning, and initial operation of assets, including review of submittals and responses to requests for information under the guidance of senior engineering staff.
- Develop proficiency in matters within assigned discipline, including technical design, maintenance, asset management, and operations.
- Support the development of Engineering Standards, specifications, and equipment manufacturer recommendations as directed by senior engineering staff and Engineering Directors.
- Participate in special assignments including technology research, professional development activities, and other matters of strategic interest to the Company.
Knowledge/Skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of engineering design theory and practice.
- Familiarity with water and wastewater treatment, pumping, and conveyance facilities, and with utility maintenance and operations.
- Working knowledge of hydraulics, process design fundamentals, and equipment selection for water and wastewater facilities.
- Familiarity with CAD drafting procedures and technical specification preparation.
- Knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD is required. Experience with AutoCAD MEP, Civil 3D, Revit, or other BIM software is a plus.
- Sound judgment and developing business acumen.
- Effective quantitative and analytical skills; attention to detail.
- Effective verbal and written communications skills (e.g., report writing, listening, and presentation).
- Strong interpersonal skills (e.g., tact/diplomacy, team building, cooperation) and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities to meet project schedules.
Experience/Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
- EIT or 2+ years’ experience in water and/or wastewater engineering design and permitting.
Certifications & Licenses
- Valid Driver’s License
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred; EIT or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure expected to be pursued upon meeting eligibility requirements.
Travel Requirements
Periodic travel with overnight stays required; generally, less than 10% of total time is anticipated away from office
Work Environment
Primarily office with occasional local / overnight work in the field. Up to 2 days work from home permitted per week
Competencies
See All 49 Design Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
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Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring

What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA for detailed design work
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and technical documentation standards
- Familiarity with design for manufacturability and product lifecycle management processes
- Knowledge of relevant industry standards such as ASME, IEEE, or FDA design controls
- Strong collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams including manufacturing and quality
Design Engineer Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in New Jersey?
Most design engineer roles in New Jersey require a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline such as mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an ABET-accredited program. While a Professional Engineer license issued through the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is not required for most private-sector design roles, it strengthens candidacy for senior positions and is expected for work on public infrastructure projects. Many New Jersey employers in pharma, defense, and manufacturing also value industry-specific certifications alongside a foundational engineering degree.
Which companies hire design engineers in New Jersey?
Employers hiring design engineers in New Jersey right now include Insite Engineering, Whitman, and Weiss-Aug, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Jersey's strong pharmaceutical, aerospace, and defense sectors mean a significant share of these openings come from large product-development and systems-engineering organizations with long-standing operations in the state.
Which New Jersey cities have the most design engineer jobs?
The cities with the most design engineer openings in New Jersey are Wayne, Somerset, and Allendale. This distribution reflects the state's major employment corridors: Newark anchors the northern cluster near large corporate campuses and logistics hubs, Parsippany draws from the pharmaceutical and technology firms concentrated along the Route 10 and I-287 corridors, and Princeton benefits from proximity to major research-driven employers and the dense life-sciences ecosystem in central New Jersey.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical fields because design engineering often involves hands-on prototype work, lab access, and on-site collaboration with manufacturing teams. About 53% of design engineer openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover tasks like CAD modeling, documentation review, and design analysis that can be done off-site. Roles tied to physical product development, lab environments, or regulated manufacturing floors in New Jersey typically require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship converted to a full-time offer, and New Jersey employers in pharmaceuticals, defense, and industrial manufacturing, including those along the Route 1 and I-287 corridors, regularly hire new graduates into associate or junior design engineer roles. Candidates who have completed relevant coursework, built a portfolio of CAD projects, or earned a Certified SolidWorks Associate credential tend to move faster through the screening process. Adjacent roles like manufacturing engineer technician, drafting specialist, or quality engineer at New Jersey-based firms are also practical entry points that build toward a full design engineer title.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current New Jersey openings updated regularly. Search the listings by location and specialty to see roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 49 Design Engineer Jobs in New Jersey
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