Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California
Mechanical design engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, medical devices, and clean energy, with openings at every level from entry-level drafting roles through principal and staff engineers. The largest hiring hubs are the Los Angeles metro, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Apple, and Medtronic maintain deep engineering workforces. Product development and robotics integration are the most in-demand specialties right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 200+ Mechanical Design Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
100% onsite job in Fremont, CA (Zip 94538)
Key Skills:
- Strong thermal/heat transfer knowledge.
- Broad knowledge of various types of materials and their typical use cases and properties.
- Need more diverse skillset with thermal material knowledge.
- Able to present different competing design concepts in a way that helps choose recommended design path.
DUTIES:
- Participates in the conceptualization, modeling, analysis, development, documentation, and test/validation of hardware associated with new semiconductor equipment.
- Designs parts using metals, ceramics, quartz, plastics, and advanced coatings/plating’s. Work with potential suppliers to ensure parts can be manufactured in accordance with performance and cost objectives.
- Ensures documentation is consistent with SEMI, and other standards as applicable (ANSI, DIN etc.) as well as best known methods for GD&T; accordingly, demonstrates knowledge and ability to properly utilize them.
- Performs analytical work in order to characterize and properly specify new and existing designs, including heat transfer, stress, vibrations, fluid/gas dynamics and manufacturability.
- Develops and execute test plans that generate characterization data sufficient to understand and validate the performance of the design.
- Develops and presents reports/presentations of excellent quality that communicate design intent, analysis, and validation at design reviews.
- Close interactions with suppliers and other internal departments to ensure reception of high quality, well tested and cost optimized solutions for the defined requirements.
- May be responsible for the design, development and implementation of custom mechanical tooling, fixturing and associated processes to enable the handling, assembly and/or disassembly of parts, components, sub-assemblies and final assemblies throughout the product life cycle.
- Establishes standards across all operational processes.
- Prepares all required deliverables requested by product development plan (e.g. FMEA, technical specifications, risk analysis, test specifications, design review presentations).
SKILLS:
- CAD Experience (NX Preferred)
- Knowledge of MS Office
- Familiar using and interpreting GD&T
- In-depth understanding and working knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and/or Design of Experiments (DOE).
- Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to react to shifting priorities to meet business needs and deadlines.
- Excellent people skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently with diverse teams, customers, internal and external partners.
- Collaboration/Matrix environment mindset & Problem solving
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skills in MATLAB and Simulink.
- FEA experience (Structural, CFD).
- Diverse materials knowledge.
Education:
- Mechanical Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of relevant work experience
- Master’s degree with 0-1 years of relevant work experience
INTRODUCTION
100% onsite job in Fremont, CA (Zip 94538)
Key Skills:
- Strong thermal/heat transfer knowledge.
- Broad knowledge of various types of materials and their typical use cases and properties.
- Need more diverse skillset with thermal material knowledge.
- Able to present different competing design concepts in a way that helps choose recommended design path.
DUTIES:
- Participates in the conceptualization, modeling, analysis, development, documentation, and test/validation of hardware associated with new semiconductor equipment.
- Designs parts using metals, ceramics, quartz, plastics, and advanced coatings/plating’s. Work with potential suppliers to ensure parts can be manufactured in accordance with performance and cost objectives.
- Ensures documentation is consistent with SEMI, and other standards as applicable (ANSI, DIN etc.) as well as best known methods for GD&T; accordingly, demonstrates knowledge and ability to properly utilize them.
- Performs analytical work in order to characterize and properly specify new and existing designs, including heat transfer, stress, vibrations, fluid/gas dynamics and manufacturability.
- Develops and execute test plans that generate characterization data sufficient to understand and validate the performance of the design.
- Develops and presents reports/presentations of excellent quality that communicate design intent, analysis, and validation at design reviews.
- Close interactions with suppliers and other internal departments to ensure reception of high quality, well tested and cost optimized solutions for the defined requirements.
- May be responsible for the design, development and implementation of custom mechanical tooling, fixturing and associated processes to enable the handling, assembly and/or disassembly of parts, components, sub-assemblies and final assemblies throughout the product life cycle.
- Establishes standards across all operational processes.
- Prepares all required deliverables requested by product development plan (e.g. FMEA, technical specifications, risk analysis, test specifications, design review presentations).
SKILLS:
- CAD Experience (NX Preferred)
- Knowledge of MS Office
- Familiar using and interpreting GD&T
- In-depth understanding and working knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and/or Design of Experiments (DOE).
- Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to react to shifting priorities to meet business needs and deadlines.
- Excellent people skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently with diverse teams, customers, internal and external partners.
- Collaboration/Matrix environment mindset & Problem solving
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skills in MATLAB and Simulink.
- FEA experience (Structural, CFD).
- Diverse materials knowledge.
Education:
- Mechanical Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of relevant work experience
- Master’s degree with 0-1 years of relevant work experience
See All 200+ Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsMechanical Design Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Design Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla45
- KLA9
- Form Energy8
- Apple6
- Rivian6
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing23
- Electronics & Hardware20
- Technology & Software10
- Science & Research5
- Automotive3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical design engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and design-for-manufacturing principles
- Familiarity with materials selection, thermal analysis, and structural simulation tools
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and systems teams
- Professional Engineer licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers is a plus for senior roles
Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical design engineer in California?
Most California employers require at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field from an ABET-accredited program. For roles in regulated industries like defense, medical devices, or public infrastructure, many engineers pursue licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, starting with the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and progressing to the Professional Engineer credential after gaining qualifying experience.
How much do mechanical design engineers make in California?
Mechanical design engineers in California earn a median of about $130,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,070 for the lowest 10% to over $203,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical design engineers in California?
Employers hiring mechanical design engineers in California right now include Tesla, KLA, and Form Energy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor firms, and medical device companies means sustained demand across a wide range of employer sizes and industries.
Which California cities have the most mechanical design engineer jobs?
The cities with the most mechanical design engineer openings in California are Palo Alto, Fremont, and San Francisco. The Los Angeles area anchors demand through its aerospace and defense base, the Bay Area through hardware and robotics companies tied to the tech industry, and San Diego through its medical device and defense contractor ecosystem.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Mechanical design engineering is fundamentally hands-on, requiring access to labs, prototypes, and manufacturing floors, so most roles are on-site or hybrid at best. About 14% of mechanical design engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to concentrate in early-stage design review, simulation, and documentation work rather than full-cycle product development.
How can I get hired as a mechanical design engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate engineering role or a co-op converted to full-time at a large California manufacturer. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Boston Scientific, and Applied Materials run structured new-grad programs at their California facilities. Building a portfolio of CAD models and a senior capstone project strengthens applications, and a passed Fundamentals of Engineering exam signals seriousness to California hiring managers even before you accumulate years of work experience.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical design engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to mechanical design engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly.
See All 200+ Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California
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