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Application Design Engineer Jobs in Federal Way, WA

Blue Origin

Senior Civil Design Engineer

Seattle, WA

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is ... As the Senior Civil Design Engineer on a small, high-performing structural design team, you will ...

Blue Origin

Electrical Design Engineer Sr

Seattle, WA · On-site

$156K - $219K/yr

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is ... Interpret systems engineering and quality requirements as they apply to electrical product ...

Blue Origin, LLC

Electrical Design Engineer Sr

Seattle, WA · On-site

$156K - $219K/yr

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is ... Interpret systems engineering and quality requirements as they apply to electrical product ...

Amazon

Sr. Innovation and Design Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

... Engineering or a foreign equivalent - Experience with design & innovation and research ... If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application ...

Blue Origin, LLC

Structures Design Engineer III

Seattle, WA · On-site

$121K - $169K/yr

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is ... Design, analysis, development, and testing of secondary structures, including composites and ...

Blue Origin

PLL IC Design Engineer - TeraWave

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$230K - $322K/yr

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is ... We are seeking an IC Design Engineer to work on the development of integrated Phase-Locked Loops ...

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Application Design Engineer information

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How much do application design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for application design engineer in Federal Way, WA is $64.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.97 and $81.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an application design engineer?

Application Design Engineers are professionals who develop, customize, and optimize technical solutions or products to meet specific client or industry needs. They work closely with customers, sales teams, and product development teams to ensure that applications perform efficiently and address user requirements. Their role often involves both engineering design tasks and application support, requiring a strong understanding of both product capabilities and customer use cases. They may also assist in troubleshooting, prototyping, and modifying existing systems to improve functionality.

What are some common challenges faced by application design engineers when working on custom solutions for clients?

Application Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing client requirements with technical feasibility, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. They must frequently adapt to evolving project scopes and navigate communication between cross-functional teams, including sales, development, and support. Strong problem-solving and collaboration skills are essential, as is the ability to clearly translate client needs into practical design specifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an application design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Application Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, software development, and system design, usually supported by a degree in engineering or computer science. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and programming languages such as Python or C++ is typically required, along with certifications like Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) being advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective communication are essential soft skills for translating client needs into technical solutions and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure that complex applications are designed efficiently, meet user requirements, and function reliably in real-world environments.

What is the difference between Application Design Engineer vs Software Engineer?

AspectApplication Design EngineerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, CAD or design certificationsBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, coding certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing settings, client sitesOffices, development labs, remote work
Industry UsageElectronics, automotive, industrial equipmentIT, software development, tech companies
Primary FocusDesigning and testing physical products and systemsWriting, testing, and maintaining software applications

Application Design Engineers focus on creating and testing physical product designs, often working with hardware and systems integration. Software Engineers primarily develop and maintain software applications. While both roles require technical skills and collaboration, their core responsibilities and work environments differ significantly, making this comparison useful for those exploring career options or job opportunities in engineering fields.

Do application design engineers make good money?

Application design engineers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. They often have specialized skills in software or hardware design, which can lead to higher compensation, especially with advanced certifications or expertise in tools like CAD or simulation software.

What cities near Federal Way, WA are hiring for Application Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Federal Way, WA with the most Application Design Engineer job openings:

Application Design Engineer jobs near you

Staff Aerostructures Design Engineer (R5159)

Shield AI

Seattle, WA

$160K - $240K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Aerostructures Design Engineer to support the development of structural components for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. As a key contributor on the Mechanical Engineering team, you will design and develop high-performance structural components from concept through production release.

You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure structural integrity, manufacturability, and system integration across one of the most advanced autonomous aircraft platforms being built today. This role is ideal for an aerospace mechanical engineer who thrives in hands-on design environments and is eager to take increasing ownership of flight-critical designs.

What you'll do:
  • Design and develop structural components and assemblies for Shield AI’s next-generation UAV platform, supporting both primary and secondary aircraft structures.
  • Execute all stages of the design lifecycle including conceptual development, initial CAD modeling, detailed design, and drawing release.
  • Perform hand calculations for stress or strain with limited basic FEA analysis, with guidance from senior engineers as needed.
  • Collaborate closely with aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, payload, and manufacturing teams to support system integration across airframe interfaces.
  • Support structural validation efforts including coupon testing, subcomponent testing, and system-level verification.
  • Generate high-quality design documentation, drawings, interface definitions, and analysis reports in compliance with aerospace standards.
  • Partner with manufacturing and flight test teams to resolve build issues and support hardware through test and deployment.
  • Participate in design reviews and technical discussions, presenting work clearly and incorporating feedback effectively.
  • Continuously improve personal technical depth in structural layout, joints, fasteners, tolerancing, and structural optimization.
Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in aircraft structural design or closely related aerospace structures.
  • Experience designing and releasing structural components in development or production environments.
  • Working knowledge of composite and metallic structures, including fasteners, bonded joints, and load paths.
  • Proficiency in CAD tools (NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
  • Understanding of GD&T, tolerance stackups, and DFMA principles.
  • Strong written and verbal technical communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate in fast-paced, high-ownership engineering environments
  • Ability to get a S//SAR level security clearance desired.
Preferred qualifications:
  • M.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
  • Experience supporting UAV, DoD, or aerospace vehicle programs.
  • Familiarity with aerospace standards (MIL-STD, ASME Y14.5, FAA).
  • Experience supporting hardware through test, failure analysis, and design iteration.
  • Exposure to composite design and manufacturing methods.
  • Experience using FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or similar) for linear structural analysis
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.