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Design Engineer Jobs in Vail, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Digital Design Engineer II

Tucson, AZ ยท On-site

$69 - $131/hr

Raytheon's Hardware Electrical Engineering team is responsible for Design, Validation, Qualification and production of digital electronic circuit cards and electronic units. Our systems are subject ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Engineer information

See Vail, AZ salary details

$42.7K

$93K

$167.1K

How much do design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for design engineer in Vail, AZ is $92,958.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,700.00 and $103,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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.

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 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 jobs can a design engineer do?

A design engineer creates and develops new products, systems, or structures across industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and manufacturing. They use CAD software, perform simulations, and collaborate with teams to ensure functionality and safety. Design engineers often work in research and development, product design, or process improvement roles.

What cities near Vail, AZ are hiring for Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Vail, AZ with the most Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Engineer job openings in Vail, AZ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,958 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer - Test Systems

AVTC Group

Tucson, AZ โ€ข On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

All Qualified candidates will be responded to in 24 hours or less
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance
Employment type: Full Time W-2 or Contract
Rate: open to Negotiation
Benefits: including Health, Dental Vision, PTO, Holidays, 401K,etc.
Mechanical Design Engineer - Test Systems
Location: Tucson, AZ
Work Type: Onsite
Clearance: U.S. Citizenship required; Secret clearance required or obtainable
Role Summary
We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design and development of mechanical test systems, fixtures, assemblies, and hardware used in aerospace and defense environments.
This role focuses on 3D CAD design, drawing package development, mechanical packaging, environmental test support, and hardware integration for production and engineering test systems.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design and develop mechanical test systems, fixtures, assemblies, and support hardware.
  • Create and maintain 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, and mechanical drawing packages.
  • Use Creo / ProE or similar CAD tools to support mechanical design and documentation.
  • Apply GD&T, tolerance analysis, and mechanical design principles to support manufacturability and performance.
  • Support test systems used in vibration, thermal, hydraulic, RF, electro-optical, and electro-mechanical environments.
  • Integrate and validate mechanical test hardware against accuracy, reliability, and performance requirements.
  • Troubleshoot design, fit, function, reliability, and production-support issues.
  • Recommend design updates to improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and maintainability.
  • Work with electrical, systems, manufacturing, and test teams on hardware integration.
  • Evaluate production installations and support modifications to resolve equipment or hardware issues.
  • Support design reviews, documentation updates, configuration changes, and release activities.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related STEM field.
  • 2+ years of mechanical design, product design, test equipment, or engineering support experience.
  • Experience with 3D CAD tools; Creo / ProE preferred.
  • Experience creating mechanical drawings, assemblies, and drawing packages.
  • Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and mechanical design fundamentals.
  • Ability to support hardware design from concept through integration, validation, and production support.
  • Familiarity with manufacturability, fit/function, and design documentation requirements.
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Active Secret clearance.
  • Experience with mechanical test equipment, fixtures, tooling, or production-support hardware.
  • Experience with mechanical packaging, electronic packaging, chassis design, enclosures, or equipment layouts.
  • Familiarity with configuration management tools such as Windchill, cPDM, or similar.
  • Exposure to thermal, structural, vibration, shock, or environmental analysis.
  • Experience supporting environmental test systems, including vibration, shock, thermal, RF, or electro-mechanical testing.
  • Background in aerospace, defense, missile, avionics, or other high-reliability systems.
  • Exposure to model-based design, model-based engineering, or systems engineering concepts.
  • Experience working with manufacturing, production, test, or assembly teams.

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