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Associate Design Engineer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

$70K - $110K/yr

We are seeking a Design Engineer for our federal team supporting our Electronic Security System ... Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, or a related ...

New

Thermal Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site +1

$130K - $179K/yr

Design Engineer - Passive Thermal Systems - 12+ months Mid-Level | Aerospace & Defense *This job is ... At MORI Associates, we partner with some of the most visionary and mission-critical organizations ...

Design Engineer -- Passive Thermal Systems - 12+ months Mid-Level | Aerospace & Defense *This job ... At MORI Associates, we partner with some of the most visionary and mission-critical organizations ...

Design Engineer -- Passive Thermal Systems - 12+ months Mid-Level | Aerospace & Defense *This job ... At MORI Associates, we partner with some of the most visionary and mission-critical organizations ...

Product Design Engineer

Trussville, AL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Associate degree in Engineering Technology, CAD, Mechanical Design, or related field preferred. * Experience with 3D CAD software required. * Experience creating detailed drawings, assemblies, and ...

Product Design Engineer

Trussville, AL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Associate degree in Engineering Technology, CAD, Mechanical Design, or related field preferred. * Experience with 3D CAD software required. * Experience creating detailed drawings, assemblies, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Associate Design Engineer information

See Alabama salary details

$37.6K

$74.9K

$119.6K

How much do associate design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate design engineer in Alabama is $74,900.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,400.00 and $86,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectAssociate Design EngineerDesign Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some certificationsBachelor's or higher in engineering; often more experience or certifications
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, supporting senior engineersLead or independent projects, more responsibility
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace industriesUsed across similar industries, often with more complex tasks

The Associate Design Engineer typically holds an entry-level position supporting design tasks, while the Design Engineer has more experience and responsibility in leading projects. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Design Engineer often has additional certifications and a broader scope of work.

What is an associate design engineer?

An associate design engineer is an entry-level engineering professional involved in designing products, systems, or components under the supervision of senior engineers. They typically use CAD software, have a foundational understanding of engineering principles, and may hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. This role often involves collaboration, technical documentation, and supporting design development processes.

What are Associate Design Engineers?

Associate Design Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in the development, planning, and creation of new products or systems. They work under the supervision of senior engineers, contributing to drafting designs, creating prototypes, and conducting tests to ensure functionality and quality. Their responsibilities often include preparing technical documentation, using CAD software, and collaborating with other departments to ensure design specifications are met. This role provides foundational experience for a career in engineering design.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Design Engineers in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Associate Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to new design software, understanding project specifications, and effectively communicating with cross-functional teams. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the technical complexity of projects or the pace of deliverables. To overcome these hurdles, new engineers should take advantage of mentorship opportunities, actively seek feedback, and participate in collaborative meetings to build confidence and technical proficiency. Regularly reviewing documentation and engaging with more experienced colleagues can also help accelerate learning and integration into the team.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as petroleum, aerospace, software, and electrical engineering can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and often in leadership or specialized roles. High salaries are typically associated with roles requiring advanced certifications, management responsibilities, or working in high-demand industries.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering with extensive experience and advanced skills can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require advanced degrees, certifications, and leadership responsibilities, especially in industries with high demand for technical expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Design Engineer, you need a solid foundation in engineering principles, CAD design, and a relevant engineering degree such as mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard design software (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit) and knowledge of relevant codes or certifications are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and attention to detail set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for creating accurate, efficient designs and collaborating effectively with teams to deliver successful engineering projects.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineering professionals such as senior petroleum engineers, aerospace engineers, or specialized software engineers in leadership roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced skills, extensive experience, and working in high-paying industries or executive positions.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Alabama? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Alabama are:
What cities in Alabama are hiring for Associate Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Alabama with the most Associate Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Design Engineer job openings in Alabama as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,900 per year, or $36 per hour.
Design Engineer

$70K - $110K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Johnson Controls rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 398 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

131st of 527 rated manufacturers


Job description

We are seeking a Design Engineer for our federal team supporting our Electronic Security System (ESS) engineering team based in Huntsville, AL. Our Engineers on this team get the unique opportunity to support U.S. military and other federal government sites all over the United States, as well as some overseas. Our Design Engineers are engaged in the full lifecycle of a project from pre-sales to closeout, but primarily support the pre-sales engineering work. These duties may include performing pre-design site survey, designing system shop drawing submittals, generating product literature submittals, cost estimating & sales support, developing scopes of work, and generating project documents such as as-built drawings and manuals..
At Johnson Controls, we support our nation's most critical facilities, the people who occupy them, and the missions they enable. Johnson Controls Federal Systems (JCFS) is a specialized team serving as a trusted partner to the federal government. We help modernize U.S. military installations, Department of Defense and other federal agency facilities to be smarter, more resilient, efficient, sustainable, and secure.
Salary Range: $70,000 - $110,000 plus bonus. Negotiable based on experience
Bonus Eligible: Yes
Benefits: Eligible for benefits on first day of employment
Vacation: 3 weeks of paid vacation, 5 sick days, 3 floating holidays, and 10 standard holidays per calendar year (6.5 weeks in total)
Travel Required: Up to 20-25%
As a Design Engineer (Security Systems Engineer), you will:
  • Design, estimates, and develop technically functional security systems, including enterprise security head end systems. Creates drawing packages (technical data packages), sequence of operations, bill of material, network layouts and electrical requirements
  • Support hardware engineering, software engineering and network level commissioning for Federal Security Projects
  • Coordinate and create necessary drawings and equipment schedules for submittals and installation
  • Provides field change information to the project team for the creation of as-built drawings and software
  • Selects controllers, end devices, and other materials to meet project specification, and minimize the total cost of installation to ensure that the project cost comes in below estimate for assigned projects
  • Ensures maximum reuse of proven designs and programs
  • May assist in the loading and commissioning of all system and network-level controllers as required. Assists in validation of complete system functionality and troubleshoots problems with subcontractors and other trades to ensure proper operation
  • Keeps management and JCI contractor or customer informed of job progress and issues
  • Adheres to safety standards. High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety

Required Qualifications:
  • Proficiency working with pre-sales engineering support (cost estimating, sales support, pre-design site surveys, designing control system, shop drawing submittals, generating product literature submittals, design packages and submittals, etc)
  • Advanced computer skills, preferably with computer-related drafting tools
  • Ability to relate technical knowledge to a non-technical audience.
  • Ability to travel up to 20-25%
  • S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances and/or badging for projects being supported (background/character, criminal history, employment, and credit checks).

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Proficiency and experience working with commercial and/or industrial Electronic Security Systems (access controls, intrusion detection systems, CCTV/camera systems, etc)
  • Knowledge of a wide variety of commercial Electronic Security Systems; Vindicator, Genetech, Milestone, Lenel, and/or Softwarehouse C-cure 9000 preferred
  • Experience supporting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects

Preferred Education:
  • Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, or a related technical field
  • Network+, CCNA, or other related certifications

Who We Are:
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we are One Team working collaboratively to create purposeful solutions that make a difference in the world. We are a Fortune 500 company with more than 100,000 employees worldwide offering the world`s largest portfolio of building technology products, solutions and services. As a member of our Federal Systems team, your work matters. We value and recognize your contributions and want to help you succeed. We invest in our employees, provide opportunities for growth and advancement, and foster a culture of inclusion and respect.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, please check out our Take a Journey video.
Recently, Johnson Controls has been recognized by several organizations for leadership in Environment, Sustainability and Governance, as well as innovations in smart building platforms:
  • Named to FORTUNE's "Most Admired Companies" List
  • Corporate Knights Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World
  • Named to Forbes Net Zero Leaders list
  • CDP 2023 Climate Change 'A List'
  • Ranked 67 on the Drucker Institute's list of best-managed companies in America
  • Forbes Best Employers for Diversity
  • Newsweek America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity
  • Ethisphere 2024 World's Most Ethical Companies list for the 17th time
  • Newsweek America's Greatest Workplaces for Women in 2024
  • Named to Newsweek America's Greatest Workplaces for Veterans 2024 / 2025 listing
  • Named to Forbes America's Best Employers for Veterans 2024
  • Named one of the top military friendly employers by military.com

Johnson Controls is an equal employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please view EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/careers
Division: JCFS (Johnson Controls Federal Systems)
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About Johnson Controls

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Johnson Controls is a world leader in smart buildings, creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. For nearly 140 years, we’ve made buildings better and now we’re transforming them again with our award-winning digital technologies and services. We’re using artificial intelligence and data driven solutions to give you deeper insight into your building’s health, sustainability and performance. It’s changing the way we design, operate and maintain indoor environments and driving to a new era of autonomous buildings. We deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, hotels, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive suite of connected solutions. Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology, software and services. Supported by a team of more than 100,000 dedicated employees working across 150 countries, we’re helping customers achieve their sustainability goals and power their mission.

Industry

Machinery manufacturing, water transportation, public safety statistics centers and offices and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US