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Concept Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Airrack

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

You take a video title or a raw idea and engineer a concept that stops the scroll : sketched out, psychologically intentional, and handed off to the designer with a complete production blueprint ...

Pretium Packaging

Concept Designer

Birmingham, MI

$48K - $60K/hr

This role does not perform engineering design or technical drafting , but instead partners with ... Build mood boards, concept boards, and visual directions to guide design exploration * Support and ...

New

Pretium Packaging

Concept Designer

Birmingham, MI · On-site

This role does not perform engineering design or technical drafting , but instead partners with ... Build mood boards, concept boards, and visual directions to guide design exploration * Support and ...

eShocan

Design Engineer

Livonia, MI · On-site

Concept engineering and feasibility study for exterior trim components. Design and develop front and rear trim, structural components, closures, body fascias, grilles, and exterior trim systems.

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$38K

$115.9K

$191.5K

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
What are the most commonly searched types of Concept Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Concept Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Concept Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Concept Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Concept Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Concept Engineer jobs are:
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.

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Airrack

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

ABOUT AIRRACK

Airrack is a tight-knit team that pulls off ambitious, innovative YouTube videos that get millions of views. We're creative, gritty, and passionate about making content no one else dares to. We work hard, have a great time doing it, and we're always pushing to see how far digital storytelling can go.

THE ROLE

We're looking for a world-class freelance Thumbnail Concept Artist - the creative brain that comes before the design software ever opens. You take a video title or a raw idea and engineer a concept that stops the scroll: sketched out, psychologically intentional, and handed off to the designer with a complete production blueprint - lighting setup, camera angles, facial expressions, wardrobe, props, color direction, everything.

You don't just make things look good. You know why things get clicked. You understand the human brain, creator culture, and the visual grammar of YouTube at a deep level - and you use all of it to build concepts that convert.
HOW TO APPLY

Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/xuUfLoBiOeM

Requirements

Requirements

  • Concept and sketch multiple thumbnail ideas per video from a title or brief alone
  • Generate high volumes of variations quickly and kill weak ideas fast
  • Provide complete production direction to photographers and designers: lighting, camera angles, expressions, wardrobe, props, color, and framing
  • Collaborate with the creative director and editors to understand the emotional core of each video before concepting
  • Study top-performing thumbnails across YouTube consistently - understanding what drives CTR and why
  • Take intense, direct feedback without ego and turn revisions around fast
  • Bring new ideas proactively and push the team's creative vision forward

What We're Looking For

  • A portfolio that shows your concepting process - sketches, wireframes, mood boards, and variations, not just final designs
  • Deep knowledge of what's performing on YouTube right now and why
  • Experience concepting thumbnails for high-performing channels, ideally in lifestyle, challenge, prank, or viral content
  • Ability to generate a high volume of ideas fast and cut to the best ones ruthlessly
  • Thick skin - direct feedback is the norm here and you use it to get better
  • Obsessive passion for YouTube, creator culture, and the craft of the thumbnail specifically
  • Background in art direction, photography, or storyboarding is a strong plus

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience concepting thumbnails for high-performing YouTube channels (lifestyle, challenge, prank, or viral content preferred)
  • Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development
  • Familiarity with what makes thumbnails perform across different audience segments and video formats
  • Ability to reference and analyze competitor thumbnails and extract strategic insight

Benefits

Compensation: This is a project based position which pays a base fee per project as well as performance bonuses

Why Join Us?

  • Be part of a groundbreaking team creating content that millions of viewers love.
  • Opportunity to lead and innovate in a highly competitive digital media space.

Apply