Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California
Industrial Design Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive, and sporting goods manufacturing, with openings from entry-level prototyping roles through senior principal positions. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Nike's innovation studios, and medical device leaders such as Abbott have deep, established footprints. The most in-demand specialties include human-centered product design, materials and manufacturability engineering, and CAD-driven concept development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Industrial Design Engineer jobs
Tesla Energy is bringing battery, solar, and charging technologies to the grid, establishing new industries and defining the future of renewable energy ecosystems. This team is at the forefront of how we will generate, distribute, and consume power today and in the future.
As part of the Industrial Storage Design Team, you will contribute to the system mechanical design of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) products such as Megapack and Powerpack that help make Tesla Energy products world class, working with a highly motivated and interdisciplinary team that rethinks how these products should be designed from the ground up, starting from blank page designs and building up to the top-level system design ownership with a first principles design approach.
The role is collaborative and cross-functional, requiring extensive interfacing with teams including but not limited to systems engineering, parallel design teams, electrical/firmware engineering, validation test, manufacturing, service, to name a few. This role requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design products that are at the core of Tesla’s success. Our team is composed of individuals who are thoughtful, fast-moving, self-motivated, who love to solve difficult problems, and are team players.
What You'll Do
- End-to-end ownership of the BESS system mechanical design for new and existing Tesla Energy products, ensuring the designed parts and system meet requirements and can successfully scale into mass production
- Component and system mechanical design ownership of entire BESS products; converting requirements into design concepts and materializing these concepts into physical, validated, mass-production-ready parts/systems
- Build-to-print mechanical design component design ownership, inclusive of system PCBA mechanical integration, sheet metal parts, plastics, harness integration, sealing/gasket designs, etc.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine requirements and specifications to optimally achieve product performance, schedule, cost, reliability, and quality targets
- Develop and execute component and subsystem design validation plans and test methods to validate product adherence to requirements, in collaboration with parallel validation and systems engineering teams
- Travel to support production launch and ramp (supplier visits, on-site at Tesla factories, etc.)
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent relevant experience
- 2+ years of product design experience
- Full product responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
- Proficiency in CAD modeling (CATIA preferred), PLM/engineering change systems, and GD&T with a thorough understanding of tolerances and development of high-quality drawing packages/manufacturing instructions for parts and assemblies
- Experience in multi-disciplinary analysis including structural FEA, vibration/dynamic analysis, thermal analysis, bolted joints, fatigue, etc, and the ability to efficiently simplify analysis
- Understanding of material sciences of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets, etc.) and their fabrication processes (injection molding, thermoforming, casting, forging, stamping, extruding, brazing/welding, plating, heat treating, plating, machining, etc.)
- Experience designing for high-volume manufacture and assembly, both manual and automated
- Experience with electrical systems up to 2kV, voltage insulation, EMC&EMI, and power transmission
- Familiarity with design for reliability/FMEA concepts, PCBAs/electrical systems, and designing products for outdoors environments
- Detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment
Compensation and Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
Tesla Energy is bringing battery, solar, and charging technologies to the grid, establishing new industries and defining the future of renewable energy ecosystems. This team is at the forefront of how we will generate, distribute, and consume power today and in the future.
As part of the Industrial Storage Design Team, you will contribute to the system mechanical design of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) products such as Megapack and Powerpack that help make Tesla Energy products world class, working with a highly motivated and interdisciplinary team that rethinks how these products should be designed from the ground up, starting from blank page designs and building up to the top-level system design ownership with a first principles design approach.
The role is collaborative and cross-functional, requiring extensive interfacing with teams including but not limited to systems engineering, parallel design teams, electrical/firmware engineering, validation test, manufacturing, service, to name a few. This role requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design products that are at the core of Tesla’s success. Our team is composed of individuals who are thoughtful, fast-moving, self-motivated, who love to solve difficult problems, and are team players.
What You'll Do
- End-to-end ownership of the BESS system mechanical design for new and existing Tesla Energy products, ensuring the designed parts and system meet requirements and can successfully scale into mass production
- Component and system mechanical design ownership of entire BESS products; converting requirements into design concepts and materializing these concepts into physical, validated, mass-production-ready parts/systems
- Build-to-print mechanical design component design ownership, inclusive of system PCBA mechanical integration, sheet metal parts, plastics, harness integration, sealing/gasket designs, etc.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine requirements and specifications to optimally achieve product performance, schedule, cost, reliability, and quality targets
- Develop and execute component and subsystem design validation plans and test methods to validate product adherence to requirements, in collaboration with parallel validation and systems engineering teams
- Travel to support production launch and ramp (supplier visits, on-site at Tesla factories, etc.)
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent relevant experience
- 2+ years of product design experience
- Full product responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
- Proficiency in CAD modeling (CATIA preferred), PLM/engineering change systems, and GD&T with a thorough understanding of tolerances and development of high-quality drawing packages/manufacturing instructions for parts and assemblies
- Experience in multi-disciplinary analysis including structural FEA, vibration/dynamic analysis, thermal analysis, bolted joints, fatigue, etc, and the ability to efficiently simplify analysis
- Understanding of material sciences of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets, etc.) and their fabrication processes (injection molding, thermoforming, casting, forging, stamping, extruding, brazing/welding, plating, heat treating, plating, machining, etc.)
- Experience designing for high-volume manufacture and assembly, both manual and automated
- Experience with electrical systems up to 2kV, voltage insulation, EMC&EMI, and power transmission
- Familiarity with design for reliability/FMEA concepts, PCBAs/electrical systems, and designing products for outdoors environments
- Detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment
Compensation and Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
See All 8 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsIndustrial Design Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Design Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Trucking
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Science & Research
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial design engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a closely related design discipline
- Proficiency in 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Rhino for concept modeling and production drawings
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product development from initial concept through manufactured output
- Experience collaborating with mechanical, manufacturing, and user-research teams in a studio or lab setting
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacturability standards relevant to California industries
- Strong presentation skills for communicating design rationale to cross-functional stakeholders and executive teams
Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a industrial design engineer in California?
The concrete path starts with a bachelor's degree in industrial design, product design, or mechanical engineering from an accredited program. California does not require a state-issued license specifically for industrial design engineers, so most employers hire based on degree, portfolio, and demonstrated CAD skill. Building a portfolio of physical prototypes, consumer products, or medical device concepts through internships, capstone projects, or contract work at California design studios is the most reliable way to qualify for full-time roles.
How much do industrial design engineers make in California?
Industrial design engineers in California earn a median of about $124,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,900 for the lowest 10% to over $172,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire industrial design engineers in California?
Employers hiring industrial design engineers in California right now include Tesla, Zoox, and OpenAI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of consumer electronics, medical device, and automotive design studios means industrial design engineers will find a broader range of product categories here than in almost any other state.
Which California cities have the most industrial design engineer jobs?
Hesperia, Calabasas, and Hawthorne have the most industrial design engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its density of consumer electronics and tech hardware companies, Los Angeles draws from entertainment product design, apparel, and automotive studios, and San Diego's medical device and defense sectors account for a consistent share of the postings that appear in smaller or suburban parts of the state.
Are there remote industrial design engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Industrial design engineering involves hands-on prototyping, materials testing, and in-person collaboration with manufacturing and user-research teams, which makes full remote work uncommon. About 33% of industrial design engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate on the early conceptual and CAD modeling phases rather than physical development work.
How can I get hired as a industrial design engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a product design internship or new-graduate associate role at a California consumer electronics or medical device company, where structured programs exist specifically for candidates without professional experience. Large Bay Area hardware companies and San Diego medical device firms regularly bring on associate industrial designers and junior product engineers through campus recruiting. A strong portfolio showing physical prototypes, CAD models, or capstone products, combined with a degree from a California design school or UC engineering program, is what moves candidates forward when work history is limited.
Where can I find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive design. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from each listing.
See All 8 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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