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Associate Engineer Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Hilmar Cheese Company

Controls Engineer II

Hilmar, CA · On-site

$87K - $131K/yr

Engineer will lead small to medium-sized projects and collaborate with other members of the IT and ... High School Diploma and 7 years experience or Associates Degree in related field and 5 years ...

4Leaf, Inc

Plans Check Engineer

Los Banos, CA · On-site

$39.62 - $48.41/hr

Advise architects, designers, contractors and developers on code and design requirements. * Assists in building inspectors on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures. * Answers ...

4LEAF, Inc

Plans Check Engineer

Los Banos, CA · On-site

$39.62 - $48.41/hr

Advise architects, designers, contractors and developers on code and design requirements. * Assists in building inspectors on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures. * Answers ...

4LEAF, Inc

Plans Check Engineer

Los Banos, CA

$39.62 - $48.41/hr

Advise architects, designers, contractors and developers on code and design requirements. * Assists in building inspectors on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures. * Answers ...

4LEAF, Inc

Plans Check Engineer

Los Banos, CA · On-site

$39.62 - $48.41/hr

Advise architects, designers, contractors and developers on code and design requirements. * Assists in building inspectors on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures. * Answers ...

4LEAF, Inc

Plans Check Engineer

Los Banos, CA

$39.62 - $48.41/hr

Advise architects, designers, contractors and developers on code and design requirements. * Assists in building inspectors on difficult or unusual code requirements for major structures. * Answers ...

Transdev

Test Engineer L3

Atwater, CA

Systems Test Engineer Lead shall be responsible for the evaluation of systems and or features, as well as developing and maintaining evaluation methods. Test Engineer Lead shall manage and execute ...

Transdev

Test Engineer L3

Atwater, CA · On-site

Systems Test Engineer Lead shall be responsible for the evaluation of systems and or features, as well as developing and maintaining evaluation methods. Test Engineer Lead shall manage and execute ...

U.S. Navy

ENGINEERING AIDE

Merced, CA · On-site

Every successful engineering career needs a solid foundation, and as an Engineering Aide in the ... College credit hours toward a bachelor's or associate degree through the American Council on ...

Transdev

Test Engineer L1

Atwater, CA · On-site

$104K - $116K/yr

Systems Test Engineer shall be responsible for the evaluation of systems and or features, as well as developing and maintaining evaluation methods. Test Engineers shall manage and execute test ...

Transdev

L1 - Test Engineer

Atwater, CA · On-site

$104K - $116K/yr

Systems Test Engineer shall be responsible for the evaluation of systems and or features, as well as developing and maintaining evaluation methods. Test Engineers shall manage and execute test ...

Hilmar Cheese Company

Senior Research Engineer

Hilmar, CA

$111K - $153K/yr

Good knowledge of engineering science and technology as applied to dairy processes and food ingredient manufacturing. Good knowledge of experimental design, methods of data analysis, and basic ...

Transdev

L1 - Test Engineer

Atwater, CA · On-site

$104K - $116K/yr

Systems Test Engineer shall be responsible for the evaluation of systems and or features, as well as developing and maintaining evaluation methods. Test Engineers shall manage and execute test ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAssociate Engineer JobsAssociate Engineer Jobs in Merced, CA

Associate Engineer information

See Merced, CA salary details

$43.8K

$87.3K

$139.4K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Merced, CA is $87,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,200.00 and $100,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineer?

Associate Engineers are entry-level engineering professionals who support more experienced engineers in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining various projects in their field. They typically work under supervision and assist with tasks such as drafting technical documents, conducting research, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Associate Engineers often gain practical experience and training to advance to higher-level engineering roles as they develop their skills.

What is the difference between Associate Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAssociate EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-level certificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; professional licensure (optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and support roles in engineering teams; often in office or lab settingsDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industrial or construction settings
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position across various industries like manufacturing, construction, and techDesign and development roles primarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

The main difference between an Associate Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while Mechanical Engineers have more experience and handle complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but Mechanical Engineers often pursue licensure for advanced roles. The choice depends on your experience level and career goals within engineering fields.

What are some typical challenges associate engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Associate Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to industry roles challenging due to differences in project scope, teamwork dynamics, and pace. In industry, you’ll likely work on larger, multi-disciplinary teams where effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Additionally, projects often have stricter deadlines and require adherence to established processes and standards, which may be less emphasized in academic settings. Embracing continuous learning and seeking mentorship from senior engineers can help ease this transition and set you up for success.

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

To thrive as an Associate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate technical solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.
More about Associate Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Merced, CA?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Merced, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Engineer jobs in Merced, CA?

For Associate Engineer jobs in Merced, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Merced, CA are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs?

Cities near Merced, CA with the most Associate Engineer job openings:

Associate Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Merced, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,266 per year, or $42 per hour.

Controls Engineer II

Hilmar Cheese Company

Hilmar, CA • On-site

$87K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Typical Day

The Controls Engineer II, OT works under moderate supervision and is responsible for the automation controls development of HMI and PLC applications in a process manufacturing environment.  Engineer will lead small to medium-sized projects and collaborate with other members of the IT and OT departments on the analysis, design, troubleshooting, problem resolution, maintenance, and documentation of manufacturing solutions.
 

Job Responsibilities
  • Develop/modify PLC and HMI from support requests as directed by manager 
  • Provide 24/7 support while on call for designated time frame
  • Prepare functional and technical reviews
  • Assists on projects as technical resource for OT
  • Collaborate with members of IT and OT departments as needed
  • Gather and translate business requirements into controls specifications
  • Programming of PLC and SCADA from a variety of manufactures
  • Collaborate with manufacturing clients to identify solutions to problems
What You Will Need
  • High School Diploma and 7 years experience or Associates Degree in related field and 5 years experience or Bachelors Degree in related field and 3 years of experience
  • Ability to communicate effectively with non-technical staff and with members of interdisciplinary team
  • Strong trouble-shooting, analytical, and critical thinking skills
  • Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills (both technical and non-technical)
  • Effectively manages multiple priorities
  • Ability to understand simple to moderate business processes, rules, and gain business acumen to become subject matter experts
What Will Put You Ahead
  • Bachelors degree in related field and 6 years related experience or Masters degree in related field and 4 years related experience
  • MES experience
Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is primarily performed in an office environment and the physical demands are characteristic of a mostly sedentary role.  Specific details of the essential functions of the position is available in the Job Safety Analysis, made available on request.

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

English Information | Spanish Information

Salary Range: USD ($87,865.00 - $131,798.00) ANN 

The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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