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Associate Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer supporting Surgical Instrumentation Research & Development, you will ... Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +8 yrs; Assoc. ...

The Mechanical Engineer IV plays a key leadership role in the design and delivery of HVAC and mechanical utility systems for complex, highly regulated building projects. This position requires strong ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Irvine, CA

$112K - $148K/yr

Description The Senior Mechanical Engineer will play a key role in designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems and components. This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams ...

Mechanical Engineer, UAS

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Mechanical Engineer, UAS Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: 100% On-site Position Summary We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and develop airframe structures and mechanical assemblies ...

This position is intended for engineers with practical mechanical experience who can work independently with general guidance. Training will be provided as part of onboarding. This role is primarily ...

The Mechanical Engineer IV plays a key leadership role in the design and delivery of HVAC and mechanical utility systems for complex, highly regulated building projects. This position requires strong ...

The Mechanical Engineer IV plays a key leadership role in the design and delivery of HVAC and mechanical utility systems for complex, highly regulated building projects. This position requires strong ...

Mechanical Engineer, UAS

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Mechanical Engineer, UAS Location: Irvine, CA Work Arrangement: 100% On-site Position Summary We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design and develop airframe structures and mechanical assemblies ...

Mechanical Engineer

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Position Overview Legrand is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Data, Power & Control (CCB) Team in Anaheim, CA. In this role, you will contribute to ...

Position Overview Legrand is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Data, Power & Control (CCB) Team in Anaheim, CA. In this role, you will contribute to ...

Mechanical Engineer II

Irvine, CA · On-site

$40.01 - $64.90/hr

Mechanical Engineer II Full-time Irvine, CA, US Exclusive confidential search -- details shared with qualified applicants. Benefits You'll Love NextDeavor offers health, vision and dental benefits ...

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to help design and integrate complex mechanical and electromechanical systems powering next-generation hardware-spanning positioning, propulsion, environmental ...

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer to help design and integrate complex mechanical and electromechanical systems powering next-generation hardware-spanning positioning, propulsion, environmental ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Walnut, CA · On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for managing engineering staff, supporting business pursuits, overseeing design delivery within budget, and ensuring quality assurance/quality ...

Thermal / Mechanical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Thermal/Mechanical Engineer Reports To: Vice President, Systems Engineering Company Overview: Netlist Inc. (NASDAQ: NLST) is a leading provider of high-performance modular memory subsystems and next ...

Thermal/Mechanical Engineer Reports To: Vice President, Systems Engineering Company Overview: Netlist Inc. (NASDAQ: NLST) is a leading provider of high-performance modular memory subsystems and next ...

Thermal / Mechanical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Thermal/Mechanical Engineer Reports To: Vice President, Systems Engineering Company Overview: Netlist Inc. (NASDAQ: NLST) is a leading provider of high-performance modular memory subsystems and next ...

Mechanical Engineer 3

Irvine, CA · On-site

$85K - $140K/yr

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent * Five to seven years of related engineering experience and/or training

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Showing results 1-20

Associate Mechanical Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$43.3K

$86.2K

$137.7K

How much do associate mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate mechanical engineer in Riverside, CA is $86,212.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,300.00 and $99,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectAssociate Mechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; some roles may require internship experienceBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering; often requires licensure or professional certification for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentEntry-level positions in design, testing, or manufacturing departmentsDesign, analysis, and project management in various industries like automotive, aerospace, or HVAC
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by engineering firms, manufacturing companies, and government agencies for entry-level rolesCommonly employed across industries for mid-level engineering tasks and project execution

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

What types of projects and responsibilities can an Associate Mechanical Engineer expect in their first year?

As an Associate Mechanical Engineer, you can anticipate working on a variety of projects such as assisting with the design and testing of mechanical components, creating CAD models, and supporting senior engineers during prototype development. You'll likely be involved in drafting technical documentation, performing basic calculations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams like manufacturing and quality assurance. This early experience provides valuable hands-on exposure to industry standards and project workflows, helping you build a strong technical foundation and develop professional skills essential for career advancement.

What are Associate Mechanical Engineers?

Associate Mechanical Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of mechanical systems and products. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, contributing to projects such as machinery, HVAC systems, automotive components, or manufacturing equipment. Their responsibilities may include creating technical drawings, performing calculations, preparing reports, and supporting the engineering team throughout the project lifecycle. This role is often a starting point for mechanical engineering graduates seeking to gain practical experience and advance their careers.

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

To thrive as an Associate Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid foundation in mechanical engineering principles, problem-solving, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), engineering simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards is typically required. Strong teamwork, communication skills, and attention to detail help you excel in collaborative projects and technical documentation. These competencies enable you to design, analyze, and implement effective mechanical solutions while ensuring safety, efficiency, and innovation in engineering environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Associate Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Associate Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Mechanical Engineer job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 38% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,212 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you'll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.

We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer supporting Surgical Instrumentation Research & Development, you will be trusted to support engineering teams with research, data analysis, and system design related to opto-mechanical engineering.

In this role, a typical day will include:

  • Applying in-depth knowledge of Opto-Mechanical Engineering in Ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization surgical instrumentation domain as SME across a range of engineering disciplines including Mechanical Design, Opto-mechanics, Material Science, Precision Machining, Imaging, Illumination, Microscope and Optical Systems Design.
  • Performing Opto-mechanical design including lens barrel and lens housing design, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and opto-mechanical analysis including thermal, environmental, shock & vibration, system integration and stability tolerance study.
  • Conducting design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.
  • Investigating and evaluating existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines, or processes as needed for Ophthalmic medical device development.
  • Designing, assembling, alignment, measurement, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of diagnostics and visualization devices.
  • Understanding operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrating these within complex sub-systems.
  • Generating detailed parts fabrication drawings including GD&T and tolerance analysis.
  • Supporting medical device development activities such as prototyping, testing, pilot builds, V&V, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production release.
  • Supporting all aspects of documentation and design control through Public Electronic Communications Network (PECN), Engineering Change Notice (ECN), Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform (Windchill).
  • Developing assembling and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and creating associated manufacturing assembling (MAP) and manufacturing testing processes (MTP).
  • Supporting concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing.
  • Working effectively with cross-functional development teams including Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, QA, Industrial Design and Manufacturing functions.

This position can be offered at a higher level (Sr. Engineer) and compensation range, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:

  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +8 yrs; Assoc.+4 yrs)
  • The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
  • Domain knowledge in Optics, Opto-mechanics, precision manufacturing techniques, imaging, illumination and visualization.
  • Industry standard tools and methods for optical, mechanical and optomechanical engineering are essential.
  • Optical and Optomechanical metrology and testing practices.
  • Vendor and supplier management for optical components, complex sub-systems, or OEM.
  • Team player/collaboration aptitude with strong sense of accountability and perseverance to drive projects through to completion.
  • Proficiency in CREO (Pro-E), SolidWorks, or Equivalent CAD skills (CREO preferred) in PLM or Windchill environment.
  • Strong background with design and development of Imaging systems such as Microscope, Eyepiece, telescope, zoom lens as well as ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization devices.
  • Proficiency in opto-mechanical system design, optical alignment technology, tolerance analysis, material selection, design for thermalization, bonding and assembly processes.
  • Knowledge on optical design tools such as ZEMAX and familiar with optical/mechanical design integrating process.
  • In-depth ophthalmic domain knowledge (Cataract, Vit-Ret, Refractive Surgery, or Diagnostics).
  • Proficient in Failure Mode Effects Analysis and Risk Management application to medical devices.
  • Sponsorship available: No

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:

  • Join Alcon's mission to provide top-tier, innovative products and solutions to enhance sight & enhance lives.
  • Grow your career in a highly collaborative and diverse environment.
  • Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, paid time off, and much more!

Alcon Careers

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Total Rewards

Alcon's Total Rewards programs are designed to align to incentives with business goals, encourage the right values and behaviors, and deliver long-term value. The first layer of our rewards program is compensation. We offer a combination of fixed pay and variable pay, which includes short-term incentives, and long-term incentives for eligible population. Our benefits program provides security for life events through life and disability insurance, supports savings for retirement, promotes good health and well-being and supports associates and their families during times of illness. To learn more about Alcon's Corporate Social Responsibility including our Total Rewards, click here

The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.

Pay Range

79,900.00 - 103,400.00

Pay Frequency

Annual

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.