Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Arkansas
Industrial Design Engineer jobs in Arkansas concentrate in manufacturing, consumer products, and defense contracting, with the strongest demand in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith. Walmart's global supply chain operations in Bentonville drive steady product development hiring, while Dillard's and major regional manufacturers such as Dassault Falcon Jet sustain demand for engineers skilled in product lifecycle management, prototyping, and CAD-driven design. Openings range from junior design roles to senior product development leads. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Location: Pine Bluff, AR
Wage: $28.78 – $41.97/ hr. based on education and experience
Shift: 1st shift ( with OT as needed)
From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.
Reporting to the Plant Engineer, the Industrial Maintenance Reliability Technician (IMRT) is responsible for supporting the achievement of maximum plant reliability by performing maintenance tasks and activities as an owner of Sonoco’s Maintenance Excellence Process. Maintenance and reliability best practices will be utilized to maintain equipment in optimum condition, maximize availability, and support technological advancement. The IMRT will use advanced multi-craft training and knowledge to perform proactive equipment/process/system maintenance; troubleshoot failures, perform highly effective root cause analysis, and make repairs in a manner that minimizes the potential for repeat failures; and actively participate in Sonoco’s continuous improvement effort.
What you’ll be doing:
- Understand and comply with safety policies and procedures. Perform all tasks in a safe manner. Set the standard for safe behavior. Look out for your co-workers’ safety. Be an active owner of the safety improvement process by identifying and reducing safety risks and hazards in behavior, equipment, and processes.
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Proactively maintain, improve, install, and troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, robotic/automation, hydraulic, pneumatic, and steam (location specific) systems/processes/equipment.
- Install/troubleshoot/maintain AC and DC drives/motors.
- Effectively perform troubleshooting activities on PLC programs. As required by location, modify and/or write PLC programs.
- Weld as required by location.
- Fabricate and install various electrical, piping, pneumatic, and mechanical equipment as required by location.
- Perform shop work using machining and shop equipment (lathes, drills, milling machines, etc) as required by location.
- Safely and effectively troubleshoot and situationally assess equipment issues/failures. Implement the most applicable, effective corrective action based on circumstances.
- Conduct thorough root cause analysis and follow up to ensure the optimum corrective action has been taken. Ensure corrective actions minimize the risk of repeat failures. Assist in the development / modification and implementation of procedures / activities to drive to zero failure.
- Drive the proactive maintenance process in the effort to eliminate unplanned failures. Effectively perform Preventive / Predictive Maintenance tasks / procedures. Participate in the development / improvement / optimization of Preventive / Predictive Maintenance procedures and tasks.
- Communicate effectively with operations personnel to identify and resolve abnormal or degraded equipment conditions that could negatively impact safety, quality, or productivity. Includes helping develop operator skill sets to a level that allow for asset ownership and care at the operator level.
- Effectively document all maintenance activity in the Computerized Maintenance Management System to build an accurate database of asset history.
- Assist in identifying opportunities to improve equipment inspection, lubrication and hard to access areas for new equipment installs and for current equipment.
- Identify and utilize the proper tools for each individual job.
- Meet or exceed housekeeping and 5S standards in all areas where maintenance work is performed, personal ownership areas, and all areas owned by the Maintenance Department.
- The IMRT Senior role will be responsible for serving in a Lead or Maintenance Planner role as required by the location.
We’d love to hear from you if:
- Demonstrated competency in the skills laid out in the competency matrix for each of the IMRT classifications (I,II,III, & Sr).
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Technical skills and knowledge to Proactively maintain, improve, install, and troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, robotic/automation, hydraulic, pneumatic, and steam (location specific) systems/processes/equipment.
- Ability to read and understand mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical (including PLC program logic) schematics.
- Working knowledge of and experience in performing electrical work in compliance with NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- Welding (Skill level to be determined by specific Sonoco location)
- Machining / Fabrication (Skill level to be determined by specific Sonoco location)
- Proficiency with standard computer programs (Microsoft Office Suite)
- Proficiency in using a CMMS
- Ability to adapt to and help lead change
- Ability to master and employ new skills as required by the introduction of new processes, technology, etc and/or as part of the required skill development progression within the maintenance organization and / or advancement opportunities
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment
- Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
- Strong proactive maintenance and reliability thought process
Minimum education required:
- High school diploma (preferably with a vocational focus)
Preferred Education:
- Associate’s degree in Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance, or related technical field -
Minimum Experience (Preferred)
- IMRT I – 4+
- II – 6+
- III – 8+
- Sr – 10+
At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
- Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
- Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
- Tuition reimbursement
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.
See All 23 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Arkansas
Find roles in Arkansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsIndustrial Design Engineer Jobs by City in Arkansas
Where Arkansas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Design Engineer Job Market in Arkansas
A snapshot from current Arkansas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- L3Harris5

- Dennis2

- Lockheed Martin2

- Sonoco1

- Vogelsang1V
Top Industries Hiring
- Media & Entertainment4
- Food & Beverage2
- Manufacturing1
What Arkansas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial design engineer jobs across Arkansas.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
- Experience with product development lifecycle from concept through manufacturing
- Ability to create prototypes and conduct usability and ergonomic testing
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes including injection molding and sheet metal fabrication
- Strong portfolio demonstrating product design projects from ideation to final production
Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a industrial design engineer in Arkansas?
Industrial design engineering in Arkansas does not require a state-issued license for most private-sector roles, but employers consistently expect a bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or product design from an accredited program. The University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University both offer relevant engineering and design programs. Building a strong portfolio of product work and gaining proficiency in SolidWorks or CATIA are the most direct paths to landing a first role with Arkansas manufacturers or retail supply chain firms.
How much do industrial design engineers make in Arkansas?
Industrial design engineers in Arkansas earn a median of about $98,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $71,880 for the lowest 10% to over $137,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire industrial design engineers in Arkansas?
Companies currently hiring industrial design engineers in Arkansas include L3Harris, Dennis, and Lockheed Martin, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Arkansas's concentration of retail supply chain headquarters and regional manufacturers means product design and development roles appear consistently across both large corporate employers and contract manufacturing firms throughout the state.
Which Arkansas cities have the most industrial design engineer jobs?
Camden, Little Rock, and Rogers have the most industrial design engineer openings in Arkansas. Fayetteville and Bentonville dominate because Walmart's massive supplier network pulls in product design talent from across the country, while Little Rock and Fort Smith support openings through defense contractors, aerospace firms, and regional manufacturing operations that require ongoing engineering design work.
Are there remote industrial design engineer jobs in Arkansas?
Yes, but they're rare. Industrial design engineering is fundamentally hands-on, involving physical prototyping, lab testing, and close collaboration with manufacturing teams, which limits full remote arrangements. About 20% of industrial design engineer openings tied to Arkansas are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in the conceptual design, CAD modeling, or project management phases of the product development process.
How can I get hired as a industrial design engineer in Arkansas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior product designer or design engineering associate roles at Arkansas-based manufacturers or retail supplier firms in the Bentonville corridor, where new-graduate hiring is more active than in most parts of the state. Building a portfolio through university capstone projects, internships at firms like those supplying Walmart's private-label product lines, or personal prototyping work signals readiness to employers. An internship at a Northwest Arkansas product development studio or a regional manufacturer in Fort Smith can convert directly into a full-time offer.
Where can I find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in Arkansas?
You can find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in Arkansas on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and location preferences, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 23 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Arkansas
Find roles in Arkansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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