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Design Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

The Custom Design Engineer will apply Engineering and Design for Manufacturability principles to efficiently design and detail custom products and projects that are high quality, ASTM compliant and ...

HiFyve is hiring a AV Design Engineer in the Commercial Audio Visual Integration industry in Plymouth, MN! Salary: $80,000 - $120,000 Shift: M-F 8-5 Location: Plymouth, Minnesota Job Duties and ...

You belong at SEH SEH is currenting searching for a Traffic Design Engineer to join our talented Transportation team! Why our employee-owners love SEH: * "I was on vacation last week and had zero ...

Design Engineer - Municipal

Duluth, MN · On-site

$58K - $90K/yr

Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Duluth office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of ...

Design Engineer - Municipal

Baxter, MN · On-site

$58K - $90K/yr

Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Baxter office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of ...

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Design Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$39.7K

$86.3K

$155.2K

How much do design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for design engineer in Minnesota is $86,335.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $96,500.00 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 Minnesota? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Design Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,335 per year, or $41.5 per hour.
Staff Design Engineer/Senior Staff Design Engineer-Hayward, MN

Staff Design Engineer/Senior Staff Design Engineer-Hayward, MN

Hormel Foods

Hayward, MN • On-site

$86K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Hormel Foods rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 96 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

163rd of 395 rated food and drinks producers


Job description


STAFF DESIGN ENGINEER / SENIOR STAFF DESIGN ENGINEER - CORPORATE ENGINEERING (HAYWARD, MN)
To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.
ABOUT HORMEL FOODS -
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE®, APPLEGATE®, WHOLLY®, HORMEL® BLACK LABEL®, COLUMBUS®, JENNIE-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com. hormelfoods.com.
This position, along with other design engineers and programming technicians, reports the Supervising Staff Engineer.
The position offered will be either a Staff Design Engineer or Senior Staff Design Engineer position based on experience and qualifications.
Relocation is eligible for this role.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position is accountable for the control and electrical engineering development and execution of equipment design and engineering assignments of moderate to high complexity for our production operations. The assignments range from new equipment design and development, to managing the activity of contractors to meet customer needs. Projects generally support process automation implementation, capacity expansion, and new product initiatives. This position also supervises hourly technicians in their assignments and may be assigned to supervise a staff level engineer.
The person in this position is responsible for:
  • Leading a project team that is varied in function and perspective to deliver moderate to highly complex process, machine, or system designs that are processing equipment in nature. The results must be in alignment with functional, sanitary, ergonomic, cost and maintainability objectives.
  • Effectively utilizing machine design software and tools available to make machines function as required per project requirements.
  • Leading the efforts to ensure an effective transfer of ownership of projects to the plant customer. This includes manuals and documentation; training of operations, maintenance, and sanitation personnel; and any other appropriate items the customer will need to fully own and operate the delivered equipment.
  • Ensuring that all legal, regulatory, and internal requirements are adhered to during the project development and execution process.
  • Documenting the design process in a way that aligns with the requirements of our Legal Department as necessary.
  • Leading, training, developing, and supporting the efforts of contract designers, senior programming technicians, engineering technicians; and possibly an entry level salaried engineer.
  • Developing and leading continuous improvement initiatives that make the Engineering R&D team more effective and efficient.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
  • Highly developed skills with currently utilized electrical / controls engineering tools. Examples include Rockwell Automation design suites and AutoCad.
  • Proven ability to lead a project in a diverse team environment using generally accepted project management best practices.
  • Ability to lead projects through Hormel Foods' project management processes.
  • A strong pattern of initiative, innovation, and creativity.
  • Proven team leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Well-developed organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and balance many tasks simultaneously.
  • Previously obtained CMRP (Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional) or ability to achieve certification in 18 months or less.
  • Good driving record acceptable by Hormel Foods and Lou Rich insurance so this position can utilize the fleet of department vehicles.
  • Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa
  • Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer
  • Must be 18 years of age or older (all plant positions)

Preferred
  • A bachelor's degree in engineering or another technical field.
  • 5 years of experience in a Maintenance Engineer, Staff Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Project Engineer, or similar engineering role
  • Successful completion of the Dale Carnegie 36 hour leadership/speaking training course.

Compensation/Benefits:
  • Compensation package includes comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, relocation assistance, paid time off, FREE two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.
  • The base pay range for this position $86,575 to $144,375 per year; however, actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills set, level of experience, and specific office location.

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.

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