Mechanical Designer Jobs in California

Mechanical Designer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor equipment, clean energy systems, and advanced manufacturing across a range of experience levels from entry-level drafters through senior design leads. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where established employers such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Applied Materials maintain significant engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties are SolidWorks and CATIA-based 3D modeling, sheet metal design, and electromechanical packaging. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Mechanical Designer Jobs

Overview

Open roles47+
Top employerTetra Tech
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring24
Work type70% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 47+ Mechanical Designer jobs

Collabera
Mechanical Design engineer/ Product designer/ Mechanical designer
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Collabera
Added 2mo ago
Mechanical Design engineer/ Product designer/ Mechanical designer
Collabera
Torrance, California
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Associate's

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Agility Robotics Inc.
Mechanical Designer
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Agility Robotics Inc.
Added 2mo ago
Mechanical Designer
Agility Robotics Inc.
Fremont, California
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Hybrid
Associate's

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AECOM
Senior Mechanical Designer
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AECOM
Added 3mo ago
Senior Mechanical Designer
AECOM
Los Angeles, California
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$170k - $200k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Innovative Project Solutions
Mechanical Designer
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Innovative Project Solutions
Added 7mo ago
Mechanical Designer
Innovative Project Solutions
San Francisco, California
Skilled Trades
Mechanical Engineering
Maintenance & Repair
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Jobot
HVAC Mechanical Engineer/Designer
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Jobot
Added 1w ago
HVAC Mechanical Engineer/Designer
Jobot
Milpitas, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$140k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 47 Mechanical Designer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Mechanical Designer Jobs

Mechanical Designer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
Fremont
5 jobs
Los Angeles
5 jobs
Cupertino
3 jobs
San Jose
3 jobs
Palo Alto
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
Santa Monica
2 jobs
Sunnyvale
2 jobs

Mechanical Designer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Tetra Tech
    Tetra Tech4
  • Lam Research
    Lam Research3
  • Google
    Google2
  • Riot Games
    Riot Games2
  • Ventana Micro Systems
    Ventana Micro Systems2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software17
  • Electronics & Hardware8
  • Construction & Real Estate6
  • Consulting & Professional Services5
  • Manufacturing5

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical designer jobs across California.

  • Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo required
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology or a related field
  • Experience creating detailed drawings and GD&T tolerancing per ASME Y14.5 standards
  • Familiarity with aerospace or defense manufacturing processes common in California contracts
  • Knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, plastic injection molding, or electromechanical assemblies
  • Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional teams across engineering and manufacturing departments

Mechanical Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a mechanical designer in California?

Most mechanical designers in California enter the field with an associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology, drafting and design, or a closely related discipline from a California community college or university. California does not require a state-issued license specifically for mechanical designers, but professionals who advance into engineering sign-off roles often pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Building a strong CAD portfolio and earning a CSWA or CSWP certification in SolidWorks significantly improves hiring prospects with California employers.

Which companies hire mechanical designers in California?

Employers hiring mechanical designers in California right now include Tetra Tech, Lam Research, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor equipment manufacturers, and clean-tech companies means steady, broad demand for mechanical design talent across both large corporations and specialized engineering firms.

Which California cities have the most mechanical designer jobs?

San Francisco, Fremont, and Los Angeles account for the largest share of mechanical designer openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego draw high volume from aerospace and defense contractors, while San Jose sits at the center of Silicon Valley's semiconductor and hardware engineering ecosystem, where companies designing precision mechanical systems and electromechanical assemblies are heavily concentrated.

Are there remote mechanical designer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Mechanical design work typically requires access to physical prototypes, lab equipment, and on-site manufacturing teams, making full remote arrangements uncommon. About 30% of mechanical designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The tasks most likely to be performed remotely are CAD modeling and drawing reviews, while hands-on prototype testing and manufacturing coordination almost always require an on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a mechanical designer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is completing an engineering technology or drafting program at a California community college such as De Anza, El Camino, or Pasadena City College, which have direct pipelines into local aerospace and manufacturing employers. Large California defense contractors including Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin run structured internship and new-graduate programs specifically for candidates without full professional experience. Applying for titles such as junior designer, design drafter, or CAD technician opens the door, and holding a CSWA certification or building a portfolio of solid 3D models and detailed drawings gives you a measurable edge over candidates without one.

Where can I find and apply to mechanical designer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to mechanical designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 47 Mechanical Designer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Mechanical Designer Jobs