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Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer

Campbell, CA · On-site

$35 - $47/hr

Sandis is currently looking for a Design Engineer to join our team in Campbell, CA. Our ideal candidate has experience with civil design, permitting, and applicable software applications including ...

Assists Project Engineers with providing technical expertise to Marketing and Sales as to intent of design function. * Assists Project Engineers with providing technical expertise to Regulatory ...

Design Engineer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$87K - $102K/yr

Engineering Design & Development Performs system evaluation, mechanical design, equipment modification, and process development to support product and operational improvements. * Research & Technical ...

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $280K/yr

About the role We're looking for a Design Engineer with exceptional visual taste and strong front-end craft to design and build developer-facing experiences across Exa's product, playground ...

Knowledge of LED lighting design, wiring and programming * Highly creative, detailed oriented, and strong critical thinking * Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills Personal ...

Mechanical Design engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA (100% Onsite) Duration: Long-Term Contract Seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to support product/platform development ...

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

THE ROLE We're hiring a Design Engineer - a rare hybrid who both designs and builds. You'll own experiences end to end: research and design the interface, then write the code that brings it to life.

Design Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$35 - $47/hr

Sandis is currently looking for a Design Engineer to join our team in Oakland, CA. Our ideal candidate has experience with civil design, permitting, and applicable software applications including ...

Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

We are applying science and engineering to design transformational technologies. Whether it's harnessing fusion through the science of stars, making exponential leaps in power efficiency, or ...

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

The Role As a Design Engineer at Metriport, you'll spend your time understanding customer workflows, designing the best solution to those problems, and implementing your own designs. If you're ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$86K - $122K/yr

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 ...

Design Engineers live at the intersection of design, engineering, and product strategy, combining strong technical depth, sharp design sensibility, and the ability to move ideas into production ...

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Knowledge of LED lighting design, wiring and programming * Highly creative, detailed oriented, and strong critical thinking * Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills Personal ...

Design Engineers at GitHub are expert individual contributors with a lot of autonomy and trust. We're looking for someone who builds as a way of thinking - someone who sketches ideas in code ...

Design Engineers live at the intersection of design, engineering, and product strategy, combining strong technical depth, sharp design sensibility, and the ability to move ideas into production ...

THE ROLE We're hiring a Design Engineer - a rare hybrid who both designs and builds. You'll own experiences end to end: research and design the interface, then write the code that brings it to life.

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

THE ROLE We're hiring a Design Engineer - a rare hybrid who both designs and builds. You'll own experiences end to end: research and design the interface, then write the code that brings it to life.

Showing results 41-60

Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$40K

$87K

$156.4K

How much do design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and simulation software, along with certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE), are commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with teams and translating ideas into workable designs. These abilities ensure innovative, efficient, and manufacturable solutions that meet both technical and client requirements.

What is the difference between Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDesign EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Design certifications often preferredBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, CAD software, project planningManufacturing plants, labs, fieldwork, CAD and testing
Employer & Industry UsageProduct design firms, automotive, aerospace, consumer goodsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy sectors

Design Engineers focus on creating and developing product designs using CAD tools, while Mechanical Engineers often work on the broader application, testing, and manufacturing of mechanical systems. Both roles require engineering degrees, but Design Engineers typically emphasize design skills and software proficiency, whereas Mechanical Engineers may engage more in analysis and system integration.

What does a design engineer do?

A Design Engineer is responsible for creating and developing new products, systems, or structures by combining engineering principles with creative design. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce detailed drawings and specifications, working closely with other engineers and teams to ensure functionality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Design Engineers are involved in every stage of product development, from initial concept through prototyping, testing, and final production. Their work often requires problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.

How does a design engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Design Engineers regularly work alongside teams such as manufacturing, quality assurance, and product management to ensure that designs are both innovative and feasible for production. Collaboration often involves participating in cross-functional meetings, reviewing prototypes, and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders. This teamwork is essential to address technical and practical challenges early in the design process, which ultimately helps in delivering a successful product to market. Strong communication and adaptability are key skills for thriving in this collaborative environment.

What is a design engineer?

Design engineers develop ideas for new products and determine ways to improve existing products. As a design engineer, you put a creative perspective on your technical engineering knowledge to perform your job duties, which include creating sketches of design ideas and using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to generate plans for prototypes. To ensure the product is viable, you also evaluate other aspects of the product design, such as safety, cost, sustainability, aesthetics, and user experience. You collaborate with a team of technicians and other engineers to run tests, troubleshoot problems, and ultimately produce a newly designed product.

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,995 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Electrical Design Engineer We are a large growing mechanical contractor that works on many large mechanical hvac and plumbing projects. This is a full-time position with great benefits, retirement package, and plenty of room for career growth. Responsibilities: Follow Title 24 and OSHPD requirements on projects Work on our upcoming and pre-existing Electrical projects.

Work closely with other design-engineers and other divisions within the company. Work in AutoCAD and Revit daily doing design, engineering, and calculations on commercial electrical projects. Requirements: Local Stable work-history.

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, EIT or PE license preferred. 1 - 4+ years of experience working for an MEP Design Engineering Firm or with an Electrical Design Build Construction Company. Strong software knowledge in: AutoCAD, Revit, BlueBeam, EnergyPro among others are a plus.

Knowledge in: State Building Codes, Title 24, and OSHPD.


Gulfstream Strategic Placements logo

About Gulfstream Strategic Placements

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Gulfstream Strategic Placements, based in Los Angeles, CA, US, is a prominent company specializing in the recruitment and executive search industry. Their area of specialty lies mainly in the construction industry. With a keen eye for talent and a focus on fulfilling employers' talent needs, Gulfstream Strategic Placements is an industry leader connecting various businesses with well-suited, skilled professionals. They take great pride in their long-standing reputation for delivering quality candidates that help businesses thrive.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Corona, CA, US

Year founded

2014

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