Product Design Engineer Jobs in California
Product Design Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in consumer electronics, medical devices, aerospace, and automotive technology, with openings at every level from new-grad mechanical designer to senior systems engineer. The largest hiring activity is in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where companies like Apple, Medtronic, and Northrop Grumman maintain significant engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties right now are electromechanical systems design, DFM-focused product development, and human-centered hardware design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish! Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every single day.
Description
We are looking to add a product design engineer to the team. Day to day job responsibilities include the design of tight tolerance components for prototype systems, development of test infrastructure, and characterization of components and assembly processes.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3+ years of mechanical design experience using a variety of fabrication processes
- 3+ years of consumer electronics design experience demonstrating the ability to work on complex products with large multidisciplinary teams
- A solid understanding of engineering fundamentals [heat transfer, mechanics of materials, precision fabrication]
- Understanding of tight-tolerance fabrication and assembly techniques, mechanical drawing composition (functional dimensioning and tolerance stack-up analysis)
- Experience in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA) and statistical tolerance analysis techniques
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong proficiency in Siemens NX [components, assemblies and drawings]
- Experienced with metrology and interpreting and deriving meaningful insights from FAI data
- Experience working with electrical engineers to layout and build custom PCBs/FPCs
- Experience owning parts at various production stages and a history of engaging with vendors to yield successful parts/assemblies
- Bachelor’s or Masters degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $181,100 and $318,400, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 182+ Product Design Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Product Design Engineer JobsProduct Design Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Design Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Apple65

- Cadence Design Systems19

- Meta9

- Amazon5

- Google4

Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware86
- Technology & Software54
- Banking & Financial Services15
- Artificial Intelligence5
- Consulting & Professional Services4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product design engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or product design engineering required
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo for 3D modeling
- Experience with design for manufacturability and tolerance analysis on physical products
- Demonstrated portfolio of physical products taken from concept through production
- Familiarity with prototyping methods including CNC machining, injection molding, and 3D printing
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with manufacturing, electrical, and UX teams
Product Design Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product design engineer in California?
Most product design engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a closely related field. The role does not carry a state-issued license, but engineers who progress into signing off on public-safety systems often pursue California licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Building a portfolio of physical product work and gaining hands-on prototyping experience are what California employers weigh most heavily.
Which companies hire product design engineers in California?
Employers hiring product design engineers in California right now include Apple, Cadence Design Systems, and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of consumer electronics, medical device, and aerospace firms means demand is spread across both large multinationals and well-funded hardware startups.
Which California cities have the most product design engineer jobs?
Cupertino, San Jose, and San Francisco have the most product design engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of consumer electronics and hardware companies, while San Diego draws heavily from the medical device and defense sectors, and Los Angeles reflects demand from aerospace, entertainment technology, and automotive design studios based in the region.
Are there remote product design engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Product design engineering is inherently hands-on, with regular lab access, prototype reviews, and manufacturing coordination required. About 10% of product design engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those roles tend to be in early-stage concept work, CAD-heavy system design, or vendor coordination rather than physical prototyping or testing.
How can I get hired as a product design engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate product design or mechanical design role at a California hardware company, where you support senior engineers on CAD modeling, tolerance analysis, and prototype builds. Large California employers such as medical device manufacturers in San Diego and Bay Area consumer electronics firms regularly hire new graduates into rotational engineering programs. A portfolio showing physical products you have designed and built, even from coursework or personal projects, carries more weight than years of experience at this stage.
Where can I find and apply to product design engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to product design engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the California market. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 182+ Product Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Design Engineer Jobs