Design Engineer Jobs in Washington
Design Engineer jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace, defense, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced technology sectors, with openings at every level from early-career through principal engineer. Seattle, Bellevue, and Everett account for the largest share of postings, where established employers like Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon have deep design engineering workforces. Mechanical, electrical, and systems design specialties see the most consistent hiring across Washington. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies' core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation's space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission-critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high-performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.
The Design Engineer II supports the conceptualization, design, development, testing, and deployment of aerospace and flight-worthy structures, mechanisms, mechanical products, and systems. This includes the design and development of bespoke, high-energy actuation systems, including pyrotechnic, high-pressure gas, and electrical mechanisms, requiring advanced engineering design, analytical justification, and thorough validation through testing. The primary focus of this position is design support, with an emphasis on developing existing technologies into new systems for the Space Systems Integrated Product Team and supporting new business development efforts. Successful candidates take ownership of their work, communicate technical concepts clearly, translate complex customer requirements and poorly defined problems into actionable solutions, and work collaboratively with customers and cross-functional teams. Candidates should also bring a hands-on approach to assembling, testing, and demonstrating hardware and a curious, persistent mindset when solving challenging engineering problems.
Responsibilities
- A strong desire to take ownership of your products, actively assembling, testing, and demonstrating hands-on excellence that rivals our technicians.
- Proactively securing engineering concurrence on key decisions.
- Communicating clearly and succinctly, especially when explaining complex engineering concepts and generating graphics.
- Able to distill complex customer requirements and poorly defined problems into actionable scope.
- Supports all aspects of mechanical design within the engineering group.
- Supports bench and field testing of mechanical elements and systems through hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, instrumentation, data processing, and other activities to support design development and validation.
- Conceptualizes, designs, and develops structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems that meet customer requirements and industry standards.
- Identifies off-the-shelf components, evaluates suppliers, and requests purchases to meet delivery timelines.
- Produces two-dimensional layout drawings and three-dimensional solid model concepts.
- Performs basic engineering calculations and analyses to ensure safe and compliant design performance.
- Assists in system design efforts and owns subsystem- and component-level design tasks.
- Documents performance requirements, compliance data, test procedures, test reports, and other contractual specifications.
- Reviews design for manufacturability, cost considerations, and quality assurance requirements.
- Creates engineering drawings, bills of materials, manufacturing requirements, and inspection specifications according to applicable standards.
- Supports manufacturing, assembly, quality assurance, testing, and deployment from concept through delivery, including internal and external technical support.
- Contributes to proposal development, presentations, and business development activities.
- Mentors junior engineers and provides technical guidance as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering, or equivalent relevant experience and registration.
- Typically, 2–5 years of aerospace or defense experience.
- Solid understanding of multiple engineering technologies.
- Demonstrated experience designing robust hardware.
- Detailed knowledge of design-based military and commercial specifications.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks.
- Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools used for mechanical systems design.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to take ownership of engineering tasks and work effectively through complex or ambiguous problems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.
- Experience with aerospace mechanisms, actuation systems, or other flight-worthy mechanical systems.
- Experience supporting hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing.
- Experience supporting new product development or business development activities.
A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
View our Privacy Policy
Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies' core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.
This role is part of our Space and Launch business, which has contributed to the nation's space programs for decades by delivering complete solutions from concept to flight. We enable successful space operations with mission-critical technology supporting every step from first launch to final landing, including launch vehicle subsystems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic and interstage systems, and payload protection and deployment. Our high-performance solutions are engineered to operate in the most extreme environments and meet precise mission requirements.
The Design Engineer II supports the conceptualization, design, development, testing, and deployment of aerospace and flight-worthy structures, mechanisms, mechanical products, and systems. This includes the design and development of bespoke, high-energy actuation systems, including pyrotechnic, high-pressure gas, and electrical mechanisms, requiring advanced engineering design, analytical justification, and thorough validation through testing. The primary focus of this position is design support, with an emphasis on developing existing technologies into new systems for the Space Systems Integrated Product Team and supporting new business development efforts. Successful candidates take ownership of their work, communicate technical concepts clearly, translate complex customer requirements and poorly defined problems into actionable solutions, and work collaboratively with customers and cross-functional teams. Candidates should also bring a hands-on approach to assembling, testing, and demonstrating hardware and a curious, persistent mindset when solving challenging engineering problems.
Responsibilities
- A strong desire to take ownership of your products, actively assembling, testing, and demonstrating hands-on excellence that rivals our technicians.
- Proactively securing engineering concurrence on key decisions.
- Communicating clearly and succinctly, especially when explaining complex engineering concepts and generating graphics.
- Able to distill complex customer requirements and poorly defined problems into actionable scope.
- Supports all aspects of mechanical design within the engineering group.
- Supports bench and field testing of mechanical elements and systems through hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, instrumentation, data processing, and other activities to support design development and validation.
- Conceptualizes, designs, and develops structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems that meet customer requirements and industry standards.
- Identifies off-the-shelf components, evaluates suppliers, and requests purchases to meet delivery timelines.
- Produces two-dimensional layout drawings and three-dimensional solid model concepts.
- Performs basic engineering calculations and analyses to ensure safe and compliant design performance.
- Assists in system design efforts and owns subsystem- and component-level design tasks.
- Documents performance requirements, compliance data, test procedures, test reports, and other contractual specifications.
- Reviews design for manufacturability, cost considerations, and quality assurance requirements.
- Creates engineering drawings, bills of materials, manufacturing requirements, and inspection specifications according to applicable standards.
- Supports manufacturing, assembly, quality assurance, testing, and deployment from concept through delivery, including internal and external technical support.
- Contributes to proposal development, presentations, and business development activities.
- Mentors junior engineers and provides technical guidance as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering, or equivalent relevant experience and registration.
- Typically, 2–5 years of aerospace or defense experience.
- Solid understanding of multiple engineering technologies.
- Demonstrated experience designing robust hardware.
- Detailed knowledge of design-based military and commercial specifications.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks.
- Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools used for mechanical systems design.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to take ownership of engineering tasks and work effectively through complex or ambiguous problems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.
- Experience with aerospace mechanisms, actuation systems, or other flight-worthy mechanical systems.
- Experience supporting hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing.
- Experience supporting new product development or business development activities.
A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
- Short- and long-term disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement
Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
View our Privacy Policy
See All 117+ Design Engineer Jobs in Washington
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Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Engineer Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon20
- Blue Origin17
- Meta8
- Karman Space & Defense6
- Apple5
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Government & Public Sector
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design engineer jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA for design documentation
- Experience with design for manufacturability and tolerance analysis in a production environment
- Familiarity with aerospace or defense industry standards, including AS9100 or MIL-SPEC requirements
- Strong collaboration skills to work across cross-functional teams including manufacturing and quality
- Professional Engineer license or Engineer-in-Training registration through Washington State Board of Registration
Design Engineer Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in Washington?
Most Washington employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program. Candidates pursuing licensure register with the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, beginning with the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer-in-Training status. Aerospace and defense roles in Washington frequently prefer or require that credential, along with relevant co-op or internship experience.
Which companies hire design engineers in Washington?
Employers hiring design engineers in Washington right now include Amazon, Blue Origin, and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's aerospace and technology concentration means many of the most active employers are large systems integrators, semiconductor firms, and defense contractors with long-term engineering programs based in the Puget Sound region.
Which Washington cities have the most design engineer jobs?
Seattle, Redmond, and Bellevue have the most design engineer openings in Washington. Seattle and Bellevue drive volume through their dense technology and corporate headquarters presence, while Everett's position as Boeing's commercial airplane manufacturing hub generates consistent demand for mechanical and systems design roles regardless of broader market cycles.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely software-focused roles because design engineering often involves hands-on work with hardware, prototypes, and lab equipment. About 58% of design engineer openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote work most accessible for roles focused on CAD modeling, documentation, or systems architecture rather than physical testing or manufacturing support.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting new-graduate or associate engineer roles at Washington's aerospace and defense employers, where Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris run structured early-career programs specifically for candidates without professional experience. Completing an Engineering-in-Training registration through the Washington State Board strengthens applications considerably. Candidates with strong SolidWorks or AutoCAD portfolios from academic projects, along with co-op or internship experience at Washington manufacturers, are competitive for these entry-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 117+ Design Engineer Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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