Mechanical Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Mechanical engineer jobs in South Carolina are concentrated in aerospace and defense manufacturing, automotive production, and advanced materials, with hiring activity strong from entry-level to senior roles. Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston are the state's busiest hiring centers, where employers like Boeing, BMW Manufacturing, and Michelin North America maintain long-term engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties are manufacturing process engineering, structural and systems design, and quality and reliability engineering. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Mechanical Proposal & Estimating Engineer
Location: Greer, South Carolina
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Proposal & Estimating Engineer to develop technical concepts, cost estimates, and complete proposal packages for industrial manufacturing projects.
This position will review customer Requests for Quotation (RFQs), drawings, specifications, and project requirements to develop technically sound and commercially competitive solutions. The Engineer will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, suppliers, and Project Management throughout the proposal process and support a smooth project handoff following contract award.
Key Responsibilities
Proposal Development
- Review customer RFQs, technical specifications, drawings, layouts, and tender documents.
- Analyze project scope, technical requirements, commercial expectations, and potential risks.
- Develop complete technical and commercial proposal packages.
- Define project assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and execution strategies.
- Participate in internal proposal reviews and customer presentations.
- Ensure proposals are accurate, competitive, complete, and submitted on schedule.
- Manage multiple proposal activities and deadlines simultaneously.
Estimating and Cost Analysis
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for industrial equipment and turnkey projects.
- Develop preliminary Bills of Materials and equipment lists.
- Estimate engineering, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and start-up labor hours.
- Prepare material take-offs and equipment quantity calculations.
- Request, review, and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Identify potential cost reductions and value-engineering opportunities.
- Assist with pricing strategies and commercial proposal development.
Engineering Support
- Develop preliminary equipment layouts, mechanical concepts, and process solutions.
- Perform mechanical calculations and preliminary equipment sizing.
- Review customer layouts, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
- Coordinate proposal requirements with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Process Engineering teams.
- Confirm that proposed solutions meet customer specifications and project requirements.
- Support the technical and commercial handoff to Project Management and Engineering after contract award.
Supplier and Customer Coordination
- Prepare requests for supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Coordinate technical discussions with equipment manufacturers and vendors.
- Evaluate supplier proposals for technical compliance, pricing, and scope coverage.
- Respond to customer questions and requests for clarification during the proposal stage.
- Support customer meetings, technical presentations, and proposal reviews.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- At least five years of experience in proposal engineering, estimating, applications engineering, industrial project engineering, or a related position.
- Experience developing both technical and commercial proposals.
- Strong knowledge of industrial manufacturing equipment and systems.
- Experience reviewing engineering drawings, equipment layouts, specifications, and project documentation.
- Ability to develop project cost estimates, Bills of Materials, material take-offs, and labor-hour estimates.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong technical writing and proposal-development skills.
- Ability to manage multiple proposals while meeting customer and internal deadlines.
Preferred Experience
Experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable:
- Pretreatment systems
- Powder-coating systems
- Wet-paint systems
- Industrial ovens and curing systems
- Conveyor and material-handling systems
- Air-handling and ventilation systems
- Industrial process piping
- Environmental systems
- Automotive manufacturing facilities
- Turnkey industrial projects
Technical Skills
- Proficiency with AutoCAD and 3D design or drawing software
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project experience preferred
Mechanical Proposal & Estimating Engineer
Location: Greer, South Carolina
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Proposal & Estimating Engineer to develop technical concepts, cost estimates, and complete proposal packages for industrial manufacturing projects.
This position will review customer Requests for Quotation (RFQs), drawings, specifications, and project requirements to develop technically sound and commercially competitive solutions. The Engineer will collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Procurement, suppliers, and Project Management throughout the proposal process and support a smooth project handoff following contract award.
Key Responsibilities
Proposal Development
- Review customer RFQs, technical specifications, drawings, layouts, and tender documents.
- Analyze project scope, technical requirements, commercial expectations, and potential risks.
- Develop complete technical and commercial proposal packages.
- Define project assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and execution strategies.
- Participate in internal proposal reviews and customer presentations.
- Ensure proposals are accurate, competitive, complete, and submitted on schedule.
- Manage multiple proposal activities and deadlines simultaneously.
Estimating and Cost Analysis
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for industrial equipment and turnkey projects.
- Develop preliminary Bills of Materials and equipment lists.
- Estimate engineering, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and start-up labor hours.
- Prepare material take-offs and equipment quantity calculations.
- Request, review, and compare supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Identify potential cost reductions and value-engineering opportunities.
- Assist with pricing strategies and commercial proposal development.
Engineering Support
- Develop preliminary equipment layouts, mechanical concepts, and process solutions.
- Perform mechanical calculations and preliminary equipment sizing.
- Review customer layouts, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
- Coordinate proposal requirements with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Process Engineering teams.
- Confirm that proposed solutions meet customer specifications and project requirements.
- Support the technical and commercial handoff to Project Management and Engineering after contract award.
Supplier and Customer Coordination
- Prepare requests for supplier and subcontractor quotations.
- Coordinate technical discussions with equipment manufacturers and vendors.
- Evaluate supplier proposals for technical compliance, pricing, and scope coverage.
- Respond to customer questions and requests for clarification during the proposal stage.
- Support customer meetings, technical presentations, and proposal reviews.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- At least five years of experience in proposal engineering, estimating, applications engineering, industrial project engineering, or a related position.
- Experience developing both technical and commercial proposals.
- Strong knowledge of industrial manufacturing equipment and systems.
- Experience reviewing engineering drawings, equipment layouts, specifications, and project documentation.
- Ability to develop project cost estimates, Bills of Materials, material take-offs, and labor-hour estimates.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong technical writing and proposal-development skills.
- Ability to manage multiple proposals while meeting customer and internal deadlines.
Preferred Experience
Experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable:
- Pretreatment systems
- Powder-coating systems
- Wet-paint systems
- Industrial ovens and curing systems
- Conveyor and material-handling systems
- Air-handling and ventilation systems
- Industrial process piping
- Environmental systems
- Automotive manufacturing facilities
- Turnkey industrial projects
Technical Skills
- Proficiency with AutoCAD and 3D design or drawing software
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project experience preferred
See All 58 Mechanical Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer JobsMechanical Engineer Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
- Electronics & Hardware
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical engineer jobs across South Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Active Professional Engineer license in South Carolina or eligibility for licensure
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
- Experience with manufacturing processes, GD&T, and engineering change management
- Familiarity with ASME standards, industry codes, and engineering documentation practices
- Strong analytical skills for root cause analysis, failure mode evaluation, and design verification
Mechanical Engineer Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical engineer in South Carolina?
You earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then pursue licensure through the South Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The path moves from Engineer Intern status after passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to full Professional Engineer registration after gaining qualifying experience and passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Many roles in manufacturing and aerospace do not require a PE license, but holding one expands opportunities significantly in South Carolina.
How much do mechanical engineers make in South Carolina?
Mechanical engineers in South Carolina earn a median of about $104,580 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,260 for the lowest 10% to over $166,340 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical engineers in South Carolina?
South Carolina mechanical engineer roles are posted by Google, Vertiv, and Westinghouse Electric Company and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. South Carolina's concentration of aerospace, automotive, and tire manufacturing employers means that large industrial anchors like Boeing in North Charleston and BMW Manufacturing in Greer are consistently among the state's most active mechanical engineering hirers.
Which South Carolina cities have the most mechanical engineer jobs?
Greenville, Greer, and Rock Hill have the most mechanical engineer openings in South Carolina. Greenville anchors the Upstate's dense automotive and advanced manufacturing corridor where BMW, Michelin, and hundreds of suppliers operate, Charleston draws aerospace and defense work driven by Boeing and the region's naval infrastructure, and Columbia combines state government engineering projects with a growing technology and energy sector.
Are there remote mechanical engineer jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. About 19% of mechanical engineer openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles in the state's manufacturing and aerospace sectors. The work most likely to go remote involves simulation, CAD design review, systems documentation, and project management rather than floor-level production or quality inspection duties.
How can I get hired as a mechanical engineer in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a manufacturing or production support role with a large industrial employer in the Greenville-Spartanburg corridor or the Charleston metro. Boeing, BMW Manufacturing, and Michelin all run structured new-graduate and co-op programs that convert directly to full-time roles. Adjacent positions in quality technician or manufacturing process analyst work are common lateral entries. Holding an Engineer Intern designation from the South Carolina Board of Registration signals seriousness to employers and gives candidates a concrete credential edge over applicants without it.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No sign-up is required to see openings.
See All 58 Mechanical Engineer Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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