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Automotive Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chipton Ross

Senior CAD Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$71.05/hr

Aerospace or automotive design experience. * Experience designing and managing large CAD assemblies ... Bachelor's degree in engineering OR 10 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree. WORK HOURS ...

Czinger

Automotive Visualization Designer

Torrance, CA · On-site

Czinger Vehicles is redefining the future of automotive design and manufacturing. Founded in 2019 ... Act as a bridge between design, engineering data, and visualization workflows. * Access vehicle and ...

Vast

Mechanical Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$112K - $159K/yr

Aerospace or automotive design experience. * Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking ... Design Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220 * Design Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468 Pay Range:

Vast

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$137K - $195K/yr

Aerospace or automotive design experience. * Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking ... Senior Design Engineer: $137,760 - $195,552 Pay Range: California $137,760-$195,552 USD ...

Banks Power

Mechanical Design Engineer

Azusa, CA

$77K - $104K/yr

Design automotive aftermarket high-performance components and systems. Create 3D models and 2D ... Collaborate with the rest of the Engineering team in the fabrication of test apparatus and ...

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Automotive Design Engineer information

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$87K

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How much do automotive design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive design engineer in California is $86,995.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive design engineer do?

An Automotive Design Engineer is responsible for developing and improving vehicle designs, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, and safety. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create blueprints and collaborate with engineers to refine concepts. Their work includes designing body structures, interiors, and aerodynamics while ensuring compliance with industry standards. They also test prototypes and analyze performance to enhance efficiency and durability.

What does a typical day look like for an automotive design engineer?

As an Automotive Design Engineer, your days often involve collaborating with other engineers and designers to create and refine vehicle components using CAD tools, participating in design reviews, and ensuring that your solutions meet safety and regulatory standards. You might analyze prototypes, troubleshoot design challenges, and incorporate feedback from cross-functional partners such as manufacturing or testing teams. It's common to split time between computer-based design work and hands-on activities like inspecting prototypes or components. This role offers a dynamic mix of creative problem-solving, technical analysis, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive design engineer?

To thrive as an Automotive Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, proficiency in CAD software, and a strong understanding of automotive systems and materials. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like CATIA, SolidWorks, and relevant certifications such as FE or PE are highly valued. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills help set candidates apart in this field. These skills and qualities enable engineers to develop innovative vehicle designs that meet safety, performance, and manufacturing requirements within cross-functional teams.

How much do automotive design engineers make in the US?

Automotive design engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $75,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automotive Design Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Automotive Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Automotive Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automotive Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automotive Design Engineer job openings:

Automotive Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,995 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Vast

Long Beach, CA

$86K - $122K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Vast is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer, reporting to the Manager, Structures Design, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. The Structures and Dynamics team covers a wide range of components and responsibilities: from the primary pressure hull, to MMOD shielding, engineered soft goods, and establishing design loads and factors, as well as supporting other teams' design needs across the company.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Designing vehicle structures from conceptual phase through product release and manufacture release and manufacture.
  • Define and manage interfaces between vehicle subsystems.
  • Develop design process improvement via simplification or automation.
  • Provide technical assistance to integration and testing activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering with relevant CAD/Design experience or equivalent.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Aerospace or automotive design experience.
  • Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking, organizational, communication and documentation skills.
  • Ability to work well in an integrated team including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers.
  • Experience designing and managing large CAD assemblies and associated drawings.
  • Demonstrated development and configuration management experience on technically complex hardware products.
  • Knowledge of mechanical engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing.
  • Experience with ASME Y14.100, Y14.5, Y14.41.
  • Experience with Siemens NX.

Pay Range: 

  • Design Engineer I: $86,100 - $122,220
  • Design Engineer II: $112,340 - $159,468

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