Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California
Mechanical engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and medical devices across roles from entry-level design positions through principal and staff engineers. The Los Angeles Basin, San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego are the largest hiring markets, with employers like Northrop Grumman, Apple, and Raytheon Technologies maintaining major California engineering footprints. Thermal systems, product development, and systems integration are among the most sought-after specialties in the state right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Mechanical Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 646+ Mechanical 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 646+ Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer JobsMechanical Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla46
- Form Energy14
- WSP12
- Apple12
- Raytheon11
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware39
- Manufacturing33
- Consulting & Professional Services28
- Technology & Software19
- Science & Research10
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD for design work
- Experience with finite element analysis, thermal modeling, or simulation tools
- Familiarity with California-relevant industry standards including aerospace, semiconductor, or medical device regulations
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the California Board for Professional Engineers preferred for senior roles
- Strong documentation and cross-functional collaboration skills for California's heavily team-based engineering environments
Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical engineer in California?
Becoming a mechanical engineer in California starts with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, which most California employers require at minimum. For roles in public infrastructure, consulting, or any position requiring stamped drawings, you pursue licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and later the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after gaining qualifying experience.
How much do mechanical engineers make in California?
Mechanical 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 engineers in California?
Employers hiring mechanical engineers in California right now include Tesla, Form Energy, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor manufacturers, and medical device companies means demand stays broad across industry sectors rather than clustering around a single employer type.
Which California cities have the most mechanical engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Fremont have the most mechanical engineer openings in California right now. The distribution reflects the state's major industry clusters: the Los Angeles area draws heavily from aerospace and defense contractors, the Bay Area is driven by semiconductor, hardware, and clean-tech firms, and San Diego is anchored by defense systems and biomedical engineering employers.
Are there remote mechanical engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most mechanical engineering work is hands-on and tied to labs, test facilities, or manufacturing floors, which limits full remote arrangements. About 22% of mechanical engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to favor design review, simulation, and systems analysis tasks rather than prototype or production roles.
How can I get hired as a mechanical engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an internship or new-graduate rotational program, which major California aerospace and technology employers run specifically for candidates without full-time experience. Companies like Northrop Grumman and Applied Materials recruit from California's engineering programs into structured early-career roles. A portfolio of senior capstone or project work, along with an Engineer-in-Training designation from the California Board, signals readiness and gives candidates a concrete edge in competitive entry-level applicant pools.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings on this page.
See All 646+ Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs