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Concept Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gonzalez Group

Estimator / Concept Engineer

Armada, MI · On-site

Position Overview We are seeking a highly technical and commercially minded Estimator / Concept Engineer to lead early-stage solution development and cost modeling for industrial automation projects.

Gonzalez Group

Estimator / Concept Engineer

Armada, MI · On-site

Position Overview We are seeking a highly technical and commercially minded Estimator / Concept Engineer to lead early-stage solution development and cost modeling for industrial automation projects.

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$115.9K

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How much do concept engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for concept engineer in the United States is $115,864.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $151,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Concept Engineer?

As a Concept Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include brainstorming and developing new product concepts, creating CAD models and prototypes, and evaluating the feasibility of design ideas in collaboration with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing teams. You'll conduct research to stay up-to-date with industry trends and materials, participate in regular design review meetings, and document your concepts to guide subsequent engineering stages. The work environment is usually project-based and highly collaborative, offering plenty of opportunities to innovate and see your ideas evolve into real-world products. This role is ideal for those who enjoy both hands-on technical tasks and creative problem-solving within a team setting.

What is a Concept Engineer job?

A Concept Engineer is responsible for developing, evaluating, and refining early-stage product or system concepts. They bridge the gap between initial ideas and detailed engineering, focusing on feasibility, innovation, and design optimization. Their role often involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, conducting research, and utilizing simulations or prototypes to validate concepts. Concept Engineers work in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing to create innovative solutions before full-scale development begins.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Concept Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Concept Engineer, you need strong problem-solving abilities, a background in engineering or industrial design, and a solid grasp of product development processes. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, and project management systems is typically required, and certifications like Six Sigma or PMP can be beneficial. Effective collaboration, creativity, and communication skills help Concept Engineers excel in cross-functional teams and translate abstract ideas into actionable solutions. These skills are crucial for successfully taking innovative concepts from the drawing board to market-ready designs within fast-paced product development environments.

More about Concept Engineer jobs
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Concept Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Concept Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,864 per year, or $55.7 per hour.
Estimator / Concept Engineer

Estimator / Concept Engineer

Gonzalez Group

Armada, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly technical and commercially minded Estimator / Concept Engineer to lead early-stage solution development and cost modeling for industrial automation projects. This role bridges Sales, Engineering, and Operations - translating customer needs into technically sound concepts and accurate, competitive proposals.

Projects range from conveyance systems and rack indexers to robotic cells, vision-guided automation, inspection gantries, tooling systems, and full turnkey manufacturing lines.

This position plays a critical role in defining scope, mitigating risk, and setting projects up for execution success.

Key Responsibilities

Concept Development

  • Develop system concepts for:
    • Robotic work cells (welding, material handling, assembly, inspection)
    • Conveyors (indexing, palletized, power & free, accumulation)
    • Dunnage handling and rack sequencing systems
    • Vision systems and part validation processes
    • Custom tooling and EOAT
  • Generate conceptual layouts in AutoCAD
  • Perform cycle time analysis and capacity validation
  • Evaluate manufacturability and field install considerations
  • Identify technical risks and mitigation strategies

Estimating & Proposal Development

  • Develop detailed cost models including:
    • Mechanical engineering hours
    • Controls engineering hours
    • Panel build & field wiring labor
    • Fabrication and machining
    • Purchased components (robots, conveyors, vision, pneumatics)
    • Installation and debug
  • Solicit vendor quotes and manage supplier pricing
  • Build structured Bills of Material (BOMs)
  • Prepare scope narratives and assumptions
  • Support RFQ responses for OEMs (Ford, Tier 1s, etc.)
  • Work closely with Sales to ensure competitive positioning

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with:
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Controls Engineering
    • Manufacturing
    • Field Installation
    • Purchasing
  • Support handoff meetings to project teams
  • Assist in technical presentations to customers
  • Participate in design reviews and risk assessments

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years experience in industrial automation, tooling, or machine design
  • Strong background in:
    • Robotic systems (Fanuc, ABB, etc.)
    • Conveyor and material handling systems
    • Pneumatics and mechanical assemblies
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD
  • Ability to read and interpret:
    • Mechanical drawings
    • Electrical schematics
    • Customer specifications (OEM standards preferred)
  • Strong understanding of automation build costs and labor models
  • Excellent communication skills (internal & customer-facing)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience quoting large-scale automation projects ($250K–$5M+)
  • Familiarity with automotive OEM standards
  • Understanding of vision systems and inspection processes
  • Experience with cost modeling tools or Excel-based estimating systems
  • Knowledge of installation sequencing and field labor planning

Core Competencies

  • Systems thinking
  • Commercial awareness
  • Risk identification
  • Problem solving
  • Time management under RFQ deadlines
  • Detail-oriented but able to think big picture

Why Us?

  • Diverse automation projects across multiple industries
  • Strong in-house engineering and build capabilities
  • Direct impact on company growth and profitability
  • Opportunity to shape concepts from napkin sketch to production launch
  • Collaborative, hands-on team culture

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive salary based on experience
  • Health benefits
  • 401(k)
  • Professional development opportunities

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