Development Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Development Engineer jobs in South Carolina concentrate in aerospace and defense manufacturing, automotive production, and advanced materials, with demand at every level from entry-level associate roles to senior principal positions. Most of the hiring is in and around Greenville, Charleston, and Columbia, where established employers like Lockheed Martin, BMW Manufacturing, and Boeing have deep engineering operations. The most consistent openings are in product development, process engineering, and systems integration. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Development Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 24+ Development Engineer jobs
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings.
- Design and engineer new boat components and systems from concept through production.
- Support development of new boat models and running design changes.
- Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Coordinate engineering changes through production.
- Review prototype builds and recommend improvements.
- Work directly with manufacturing to solve production issues.
- Evaluate warranty trends and develop permanent engineering solutions.
- Participate in sea trials and product testing.
- Assist with structural analysis, component validation, and design verification.
- Work with suppliers to develop and improve purchased components.
- Ensure designs meet ABYC, NMMA, and applicable Coast Guard standards.
- Prepare engineering documentation, specifications, and installation instructions.
- Collaborate with purchasing, manufacturing, quality, and sales teams throughout product development.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of product development or mechanical design experience.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including fiberglass composites, aluminum fabrication, plastics, sheet metal, and marine hardware.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recreational boating experience is required.
- Experience operating center consoles, deck boats, or offshore fishing boats.
-
Understanding of boat systems including:
- Hull construction
- Fuel systems
- Steering
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Livewell systems
- Fishing accessories
- Knowledge of ABYC standards.
- Familiarity with NMMA certification requirements.
- Experience working with marine suppliers.
- Experience participating in on-water product testing.
- Knowledge of DFMEA, root cause analysis, and design validation.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings.
- Design and engineer new boat components and systems from concept through production.
- Support development of new boat models and running design changes.
- Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Coordinate engineering changes through production.
- Review prototype builds and recommend improvements.
- Work directly with manufacturing to solve production issues.
- Evaluate warranty trends and develop permanent engineering solutions.
- Participate in sea trials and product testing.
- Assist with structural analysis, component validation, and design verification.
- Work with suppliers to develop and improve purchased components.
- Ensure designs meet ABYC, NMMA, and applicable Coast Guard standards.
- Prepare engineering documentation, specifications, and installation instructions.
- Collaborate with purchasing, manufacturing, quality, and sales teams throughout product development.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of product development or mechanical design experience.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including fiberglass composites, aluminum fabrication, plastics, sheet metal, and marine hardware.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recreational boating experience is required.
- Experience operating center consoles, deck boats, or offshore fishing boats.
-
Understanding of boat systems including:
- Hull construction
- Fuel systems
- Steering
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Livewell systems
- Fishing accessories
- Knowledge of ABYC standards.
- Familiarity with NMMA certification requirements.
- Experience working with marine suppliers.
- Experience participating in on-water product testing.
- Knowledge of DFMEA, root cause analysis, and design validation.
See All 24 Development Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer JobsDevelopment Engineer Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Engineer Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Insurance
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development engineer jobs across South Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Professional Engineer licensure or EIT registration preferred by South Carolina employers
- Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies used across South Carolina plants
- Strong background in product lifecycle management and new product introduction processes
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams
Development Engineer Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development engineer in South Carolina?
Most development engineer roles in South Carolina require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Candidates who pursue licensure start by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn Engineer in Training status through the South Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, then accumulate supervised experience toward full Professional Engineer registration. Many South Carolina employers in aerospace and automotive hire new graduates without a PE license but expect it for senior roles.
How much do development engineers make in South Carolina?
Development engineers in South Carolina earn a median of about $101,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,140 for the lowest 10% to over $146,300 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire development engineers in South Carolina?
Employers hiring development engineers in South Carolina right now include AFL, GE Vernova, and Thomas & Hutton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. South Carolina's aerospace corridor along the coast and its Upstate automotive cluster mean that large-scale manufacturers and their Tier 1 suppliers are consistently among the most active hirers.
Which South Carolina cities have the most development engineer jobs?
Columbia, Greenville, and Duncan have the most development engineer openings in South Carolina. Greenville anchors the Upstate automotive and advanced manufacturing cluster anchored by BMW and dozens of supplier firms, Charleston draws aerospace and defense roles driven by Boeing and Bosch, and Columbia concentrates state government, defense contractor, and research-linked engineering positions.
Are there remote development engineer jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. Development engineering is largely hands-on work tied to labs, production floors, and test equipment, so most roles require an on-site or hybrid presence. About 14% of development engineer openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in software-adjacent or systems-level work rather than physical product development.
How can I get hired as a development engineer in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a co-op or internship with one of South Carolina's major manufacturers while still completing your degree, since companies like BMW Manufacturing and Boeing Charleston run structured programs that frequently convert to full-time offers. New graduates who earn their EIT designation through the South Carolina Board of Registration signal readiness to employers and gain a competitive edge. Adjacent roles in quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or test technician positions at Upstate automotive suppliers also provide a direct bridge into development engineering.
Where can I find and apply to development engineer jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to development engineer jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 24 Development Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Development Engineer Jobs