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Assistant Design Engineer Jobs in Hickory, NC (NOW HIRING)

Wastequip Inc

Design Engineer

Statesville, NC · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

R-100910** ** - Plastics Design Engineer Wastequip has a great opportunity for a Design Engineer to ... Design and develop new products considering manufacturability and cost effectiveness.* Assist ...

Wastequip

Design Engineer

Statesville, NC

- Plastics Design Engineer Wastequip has a great opportunity for a Design Engineer to join our ... Design and develop new products considering manufacturability and cost effectiveness. * Assist ...

Wastequip

Design Engineer

Statesville, NC · On-site

- Plastics Design Engineer Wastequip has a great opportunity for a Design Engineer to join our ... Design and develop new products considering manufacturability and cost effectiveness. * Assist ...

Wastequip

Design Engineer

Statesville, NC · On-site

- Plastics Design Engineer Wastequip has a great opportunity for a Design Engineer to join our ... Design and develop new products considering manufacturability and cost effectiveness. * Assist ...

Corning

Precision Machine Design Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

... * Assist in translating product and process requirements into machine concepts, design ... Apply engineering fundamentals in areas such as kinematics, stiffness, thermal behavior, vibration ...

Corning

Precision Machine Design Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

... * Assist in translating product and process requirements into machine concepts, design ... Apply engineering fundamentals in areas such as kinematics, stiffness, thermal behavior, vibration ...

Corning

Precision Machine Design Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

... * Assist in translating product and process requirements into machine concepts, design ... Apply engineering fundamentals in areas such as kinematics, stiffness, thermal behavior, vibration ...

R-Anell

CAD Developer

Crouse, NC · On-site

$18/hr

Job Type: Full-time The responsibilities of the engineering CAD Operator will include the following: Assist the engineering manager with Lit's, bank packages and sign-off drawings for the sales ...

Palm Harbor Homes

CAD Developer

Crouse, NC · On-site

$18/hr

Job Type: Full-time The responsibilities of the engineering CAD Operator will include the following: Assist the engineering manager with Lit's, bank packages and sign-off drawings for the sales ...

The Cavco Family of Companies

CAD Developer

Crouse, NC · On-site

Job Type: Full-time The responsibilities of the engineering CAD Operator will include the following: • Assist the engineering manager with Lit's, bank packages and sign-off drawings for the sales ...

Corning

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

Deliver prototype design to Technology Teams for further development and testing or to ... Build and leverage network of Product Experts to assist with prototype designs. Build and leverage ...

Corning

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

Scope of Position: • Project and Design engineer focused on designing, building, or coordinating ... Experts to assist with prototype designs. • Build and leverage network of fabrication ...

Corning

Sr. Prototyping Engineer

Hickory, NC · On-site

$93K - $128K/yr

Scope of Position: • Project and Design engineer focused on designing, building, or coordinating ... Experts to assist with prototype designs. • Build and leverage network of fabrication ...

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All JobsDesign Engineer JobsAssistant Design Engineer JobsAssistant Design Engineer Jobs in Hickory, NC

Assistant Design Engineer information

See Hickory, NC salary details

$29.5K

$79.5K

$120.4K

How much do assistant design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant design engineer in Hickory, NC is $79,464.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,100.00 and $93,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant design engineer do?

An Assistant Design Engineer supports senior engineers in creating and developing designs for products, structures, or systems. Their tasks often include preparing technical drawings, conducting research, creating prototypes, and assisting with testing and analysis. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create models and work closely with other team members to ensure designs meet project requirements and safety standards. This role is typically an entry-level position that provides valuable experience in engineering design and project management.

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

To thrive as an Assistant Design Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with design tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA and knowledge of industry standards or certifications such as EIT (Engineer-in-Training) are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills make candidates stand out in this role. These competencies are essential to ensure precise, innovative design solutions and effective collaboration within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What are some common challenges assistant design engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to professional engineering environments?

Assistant Design Engineers often find that transitioning from academic projects to real-world engineering roles involves adapting to tighter deadlines, larger teams, and stricter compliance with industry standards. Unlike classroom assignments, professional projects require precise documentation, coordination with other departments such as manufacturing and quality assurance, and adherence to budget constraints. Embracing collaborative tools and clear communication is essential, as is being open to feedback from senior engineers to grow technically and professionally.

What is the difference between Assistant Design Engineer vs Design Engineer?

AspectAssistant Design EngineerDesign Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some certificationsBachelor's or higher in engineering; often more experience
Work EnvironmentSupport role in design teams, assisting senior engineersLead or primary role in designing projects, overseeing technical details
ResponsibilitiesAssist in creating designs, preparing drawings, and conducting researchDevelop and finalize designs, review technical specifications, and coordinate with manufacturing

The main difference between an Assistant Design Engineer and a Design Engineer lies in responsibility level and experience. Assistant Design Engineers support the design process and gain experience, while Design Engineers take on more complex tasks and lead design projects. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Design Engineers typically have more hands-on experience and responsibility.

What job categories do people searching Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Hickory, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Hickory, NC are:

What cities near Hickory, NC are hiring for Assistant Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Hickory, NC with the most Assistant Design Engineer job openings:

Assistant Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Design Engineer job openings in Hickory, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,464 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Design Engineer

Wastequip Inc

Statesville, NC • On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Wastequip rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

274th of 499 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

## Design EngineerApplylocations: Statesville, NC: Charlotte, NC: Kannapolis, NCposted on: Posted 30+ Days Agojob requisition id: R-100910**Job Description:**Job Description – Plastics Design Engineer Wastequip has a great opportunity for a Design Engineer to join our Container Engineering group. This role will sit in Statesville North Carolina manufacturing facilities.This individual will design waste containers and associated products in accordance with customer requirements and company standards. Included in the design process are responsibilities such as: performing design calculations, developing and releasing drawings and 3D models of new and revised products, and developing product specifications and BOMs, among other responsibilities.**\*This position can work out of our home office in Charlotte, NC with 15% travel****or out of our Statesville, NC facility.\*****Essential Duties and Responsibilities*** Design and develop new products considering manufacturability and cost effectiveness.* Assist/Create business case to support capital investments into new products* Produce Sales drawings for customer visual aids and marketing materials* Produce production drawings and specifications* Create complete Bills of Material (BOMs)* Maintain product data & documentation within Vault & ERP system* Lead projects to align product data from multiple Business Units.* Conduct research and create design concepts/proposals for projects.* As required, use AutoCad (2D) & Inventor (3D) for designs.* Travel to Wastequip production & office facilities to evaluate product and receive training.**Qualifications*** Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or equivalent* Design experience in AutoCAD/Inventor* Minimum of (2) years of work experience in a manufacturing operation, preferably one involving rotomolding or injection molding* Experienced in using Finite Element Analysis is a plus* Knowledge of Machining, Welding, Fabrication and/or Waste Industry experience a plus* Must possess an attitude of safety in all aspects of the job* Must possess technical, problem solving, and analytic skills with ability to think strategically* Ability to communicate effectively* Ability to achieve successful results within deadlines* Must be teamwork oriented**Company Benefits:**• 2 Medical Plan Options - Base HSA (High Deductible) and Buy-UpMedical Plans• Prescription (Rx) Insurance• Health Savings Account (HSA)• 2 Dental Plan Options - Base Dental and Buy-Up Dental Plans• Vision Insurance• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s)• Health Care FSA• Dependent Care FSA• Company Paid Base Life Insurance• Company Paid Accident, Death & Dismemberment Insurance• Company Paid Business Travel Accident Insurance• Company Paid Disability Insurance Short-Term Disability (STD) and Base Long-Term Disability (LTD)Insurance• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)• Voluntary Hospital, Accident & Critical Illness (Cancer) Insurance• 401(K) Retirement Plan with 50% Company Match• Voluntary Pet Insurance• Vacation and Personal/Sick Time• Paid Grandparent Leave• Paid Bonding Leave• Adoption Assistance• Education Assistance (Tuition Reimbursement) #J-18808-Ljbffr

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