Design Engineer Jobs in New Mexico
Design Engineer jobs in New Mexico are concentrated in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, where aerospace, defense, and energy sectors drive steady demand for mechanical, electrical, and systems design specialists. Employers with deep roots in the state, including Sandia National Laboratories, Northrop Grumman, and Intel, consistently hire design engineers across mid-level and senior roles, with a smaller but active pipeline into entry positions. Product development and defense systems design are among the most sought-after specialties in the state right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
- Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
- These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a motivated R&D S&E Aerospace Engineer with modeling/simulation experience to work with our Model-Based Design team. Model-Based Design integrates reduced-order physics models with MATLAB & Simulink-based modeling and data analysis to simulate designs, rapidly explore parameter spaces including regions that are difficult to access empirically, to predict failures, and to model and evaluate testing methodologies. We analyze, design, develop, simulate, characterize, and test a variety of aerospace systems in simulation, laboratory and flight test environments. Existing designs can be analyzed by introducing edge parameters and inducing failures and thus determine operational space. We utilize an empirical laboratory to investigate model-, software, and hardware-in-the-loop design analysis and testing. Test methods, tester designs, and testing execution can be modeled/simulated to increase standardization, explore failure modes, and progress tester designs faster to meet requirements. The MBD team directly supports teams that address some of the Nation's most difficult challenges in the areas of Nuclear Deterrence and other critical National Security technologies. Utilization of Artificial/Super Intelligence methods and digital engineering are key enablers of the MBD technical work.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Utilize MATLAB & Simulink, and other programming languages, such as Python, to model/simulate physics-based device functions, various environments, and explore State Machines for aerospace systems.
- Evaluate incorporation of the latest AI (generative as well as traditional Machine and Deep Learning (ML/DL) capabilities into MATLAB & Simulink environments and train models for virtual sensing and reduced-order modeling.
- Deploy design models as on-device software using code generation workflows, leveraging model-, software-, and hardware- in-the-loop in our empirical laboratory.
- Understand and address existing and emerging digital threads within and external to Sandia, drive collaboration across the National Security Enterprise and other technology areas within Sandia.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.
Salary Range
$102,400 - $199,700
- Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require
- A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.¿U.S.
- DOE Q-level security clearance required to start.
Qualifications We Desire
The ideal R&D S&E Aerospace Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:
- Graduate degree in Aerospace/ Aeronautical Engineer or STEM field; a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
- Experience in applied aerodynamics, flight mechanics, or trajectory simulation with application to the design, modeling, simulation, optimization, and analysis of aerospace flight systems.
- Experience with the capabilities, use, and application of MATLAB®, Simulink®, Python¿, C/C++, or other modern programming languages and repositories in technical analysis/computing and software development.
- Proven ability to work and communicate effectively in a collaborative and interdisciplinary team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced/schedule driven environment.
Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:
- The ability to assess and implement Simulink model behaviors based on hardware documentation, model-based systems engineering projects, and other model-based design elements for model-, software-, and hardware-in-the-loop.
- Familiarity with Speedgoat hardware-in-the-loop technology and using analytical models in hardware, software, and model emulation.
- Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to develop technical ideas and results and present them in oral and written form in a concise manner.
- Strong technical and teaming skills.
About Our Team
In the Virtual Technologies and Engineering Department, we enable integrated digital engineering solutions that use Artificial Intelligence to increase innovation and reduce time to product delivery for Nuclear Deterrence and other National Security design, production, and sustainment needs.
Our eXtended Reality Engineering Visualization (XREV) team enables interactive data knowledge, data understanding, and visualizations for data analysis and answering engineering questions at the desktop or in live collaboration across Nuclear Security Enterprise sites.
We have a mature Model-Based Design capability team that utilizes reduced-order physics models and simulations to predict failure modes, assess environmental conditions, and speed up design cycles by reducing the number of builds/tests through simulation-enhanced design.
Our Digital Thread Engineering team (DTE) develops and maintains data exchange and data flows connections and integrations between Digital Engineering datasets, databases, data tools, and models used at Sandia as well as gateway connectivity from Sandia to the Enterprise-level digital platform to enable Digital Transformation at Sandia and the NSE.
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance
Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
See All 17 Design Engineer Jobs in New Mexico
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Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in New Mexico
Where New Mexico roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in New Mexico
A snapshot from current New Mexico openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What New Mexico Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across New Mexico.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer licensure or active EIT registration recognized in New Mexico preferred
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
- Experience with design documentation, GD&T standards, and engineering change processes
- Familiarity with defense, aerospace, or energy industry standards and compliance requirements
- Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional teams and ability to manage concurrent design projects
Design Engineer Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in New Mexico?
You become a design engineer in New Mexico by earning a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline such as mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then pursuing licensure through the New Mexico Engineering and Surveying Licensure Board. Most employers expect candidates to hold an Engineer in Training credential at minimum, with full Professional Engineer licensure required for many senior or independent design roles in the state.
Which companies hire design engineers in New Mexico?
Companies currently hiring design engineers in New Mexico include Sandia National Laboratories, Boeing, and Urenco, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Mexico's defense and national laboratory presence means a large share of design engineer openings come from government contractors and federally funded research institutions anchored in the Albuquerque metro.
Which New Mexico cities have the most design engineer jobs?
The cities with the most design engineer openings in New Mexico are Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Eunice. Albuquerque dominates because it is home to Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base contractors, and Intel's manufacturing campus, while Las Cruces draws openings from White Sands Missile Range support contractors and New Mexico State University research partnerships.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in New Mexico?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical fields because design engineering often requires hands-on prototype work, lab access, or on-site collaboration with manufacturing teams. About 11% of design engineer openings tied to New Mexico are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the industry mix here. Roles focused on CAD modeling, technical documentation, and systems analysis are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in New Mexico with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an internship or co-op through the engineering programs at the University of New Mexico or New Mexico State University, both of which have established pipelines into Sandia National Laboratories and local defense contractors. Look for titles like junior design engineer, engineering associate, or CAD technician, which are the most common entry points. Completing your Engineer in Training exam and building a portfolio of documented design projects significantly strengthens applications to employers in the state's aerospace and energy sectors.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in New Mexico?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in New Mexico on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and specialization, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 17 Design Engineer Jobs in New Mexico
Find roles in New Mexico that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer Jobs