Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Mechanical design engineer jobs in Michigan are among the most active in the country, concentrated in automotive and mobility systems, defense and aerospace manufacturing, and industrial automation, with openings at every level from entry-level design roles through senior and principal engineers. Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids are the state's primary hiring centers, with well-established employers like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stryker consistently bringing on mechanical design talent. The most in-demand specialties are powertrain and electrification systems, automated assembly tooling, and product development for medical devices. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Mechanical Design Engineer jobs
- Create and refine mechanical systems, managing the entire lifecycle from initial ideas to final manufacturing.
- Integrate practical development with rigorous engineering standards, such as conducting design evaluations and validation testing, to help guarantee consistent product quality.
- Construct and evaluate functional prototypes within our facility and occasionally at external locations.
- Address complex engineering challenges while operating within practical project limitations.
- Utilize analytical techniques like FEA, fatigue, and motion studies to verify the integrity of your designs.
- Collaborate effectively alongside manufacturing, controls, and client teams to drive project success.
- Analyze system failures to implement design enhancements that improve overall performance.
- Assist with on-site installations and performance testing at client locations as required, involving approximately 10% travel.
- Minimum of 3 years of practical experience in mechanical R&D or design roles.
- Solid grasp of material science, structural integrity, and motion control principles.
- Proven ability to design components specifically for efficient manufacturing processes.
- High level of proficiency in 3D CAD platforms, with a preference for SolidWorks, Catia, or Inventor.
- Familiarity with PDM systems, specifically Autodesk Vault.
- Willingness to engage in direct, hands-on work within the shop environment and at field sites.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ensure projects reach completion.
- Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
- Practical knowledge of FMEA, validation strategies, and APQP workflows.
- Comprehensive understanding of fabrication methods including welding, casting, machining, and additive manufacturing.
- Direct experience working with magnetic systems or conveyor technology.
- Deep understanding of real-world design factors such as material selection, tolerance stacks, fasteners, and fabrication techniques.
- Background in robotics, heavy machinery, or automation systems.
- Expertise in vibration analysis or the study of dynamic systems.
- Prior experience collaborating closely with production and manufacturing departments.
- Familiarity with motion feedback and integrated control systems.
- Proficiency in scripting or programming languages like Python, iLogic, or VBA.
- Experience utilizing parametric configuration tools.
- Create and refine mechanical systems, managing the entire lifecycle from initial ideas to final manufacturing.
- Integrate practical development with rigorous engineering standards, such as conducting design evaluations and validation testing, to help guarantee consistent product quality.
- Construct and evaluate functional prototypes within our facility and occasionally at external locations.
- Address complex engineering challenges while operating within practical project limitations.
- Utilize analytical techniques like FEA, fatigue, and motion studies to verify the integrity of your designs.
- Collaborate effectively alongside manufacturing, controls, and client teams to drive project success.
- Analyze system failures to implement design enhancements that improve overall performance.
- Assist with on-site installations and performance testing at client locations as required, involving approximately 10% travel.
- Minimum of 3 years of practical experience in mechanical R&D or design roles.
- Solid grasp of material science, structural integrity, and motion control principles.
- Proven ability to design components specifically for efficient manufacturing processes.
- High level of proficiency in 3D CAD platforms, with a preference for SolidWorks, Catia, or Inventor.
- Familiarity with PDM systems, specifically Autodesk Vault.
- Willingness to engage in direct, hands-on work within the shop environment and at field sites.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ensure projects reach completion.
- Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
- Practical knowledge of FMEA, validation strategies, and APQP workflows.
- Comprehensive understanding of fabrication methods including welding, casting, machining, and additive manufacturing.
- Direct experience working with magnetic systems or conveyor technology.
- Deep understanding of real-world design factors such as material selection, tolerance stacks, fasteners, and fabrication techniques.
- Background in robotics, heavy machinery, or automation systems.
- Expertise in vibration analysis or the study of dynamic systems.
- Prior experience collaborating closely with production and manufacturing departments.
- Familiarity with motion feedback and integrated control systems.
- Proficiency in scripting or programming languages like Python, iLogic, or VBA.
- Experience utilizing parametric configuration tools.
See All 27 Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMechanical Design Engineer Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Design Engineer Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical design engineer jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related engineering discipline required
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, or Creo for part and assembly modeling
- Experience applying GD&T standards to engineering drawings and technical documentation
- Demonstrated knowledge of product development and design-for-manufacturability principles
- Familiarity with FEA tools and simulation software for structural or thermal analysis
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams
Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical design engineer in Michigan?
Most Michigan employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field from an ABET-accredited program. A Professional Engineer license, issued through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, is not required for most industry roles but strengthens candidacy for senior positions involving stamped drawings or public-facing design work. The path typically runs from an accredited degree through an entry-level design role, with licensure pursued optionally via the FE and PE exams.
How much do mechanical design engineers make in Michigan?
Mechanical design engineers in Michigan earn a median of about $104,890 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $76,310 for the lowest 10% to over $159,840 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical design engineers in Michigan?
Employers hiring mechanical design engineers in Michigan right now include GableTek, H.S. Die & Engineering, and NorthAmCon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's deep automotive and industrial manufacturing base means demand is broad, with openings at OEMs, tier-one suppliers, defense contractors, and medical device manufacturers throughout the state.
Which Michigan cities have the most mechanical design engineer jobs?
Grand Rapids, Alpena, and Detroit have the most mechanical design engineer openings in Michigan. The Detroit metro drives the highest volume through its concentration of automotive OEMs and tier-one suppliers, while Ann Arbor draws demand from research-intensive tech and mobility companies, and Grand Rapids reflects strong activity from West Michigan's medical device and industrial manufacturing sector.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're rare. Mechanical design engineering is hands-on by nature, with work tied to CAD labs, prototyping facilities, and production floors. About 33% of mechanical design engineer openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to concentrate in upstream conceptual design and documentation review rather than development or testing phases.
How can I get hired as a mechanical design engineer in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship with a Michigan automotive OEM or tier-one supplier, which many large employers convert to full-time roles. General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis all run formal new-graduate programs, and companies like Stryker recruit aggressively from Michigan engineering schools for entry-level product development roles. A strong CAD portfolio and coursework in GD&T or FEA can substitute for professional experience in early screening, and adjacent roles in manufacturing engineering or quality engineering frequently move into design positions within one to two years.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical design engineer jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to mechanical design engineer jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across the automotive, defense, medical device, and industrial sectors. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 27 Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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