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Design Engineering Technology Jobs in California

PCB Design Engineer Location: Irvine, California Experience: 5+ years * Advanced training in ... In-depth knowledge of materials, technologies, and industrial processes used in PCB manufacturing ...

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role and Impact We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead ... Join us and make a lasting impact on Intel's groundbreaking technologies and products. Job Type:

Director, SoC Design Engineering

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$159K - $195K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role and Impact We are seeking a highly experienced a Director, SoC Design Engineering, to lead ... Join us and make a lasting impact on Intel's groundbreaking technologies and products. Job Type:

The Role and Impact As a Physical Design Timing Engineer, you will play a critical role in ... Join us in pushing the boundaries of technology and making a global impact. Be part of a dynamic ...

Electronic Design Engineering, Senior

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$107 - $139/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We develop innovative, cutting‑edge technologies and products across the spectrum of radio ... circuit design, advanced packaging, systems architecture and applications engineering. We are ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Engineering Technology information

See California salary details

$51.8K

$132.7K

$204.8K

How much do design engineering technology jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for design engineering technology in California is $132,705.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Design Engineering Technology vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectDesign Engineering TechnologyMechanical Engineering
CredentialsAssociate's or Bachelor's in Design Engineering TechnologyBachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing settings, CAD softwareResearch labs, manufacturing plants, design offices
Industry UsageProduct design, prototyping, technical supportProduct development, analysis, system design

Design Engineering Technology focuses on applying engineering principles to design and develop products using CAD and technical skills, often with a focus on manufacturing and prototyping. Mechanical Engineering involves more theoretical analysis, system design, and research, requiring a deeper understanding of physics and mathematics. Both roles are essential in product development but differ in scope and educational background.

What are some typical projects or tasks a design engineering technologist works on within a multidisciplinary team?

As a Design Engineering Technologist, you’ll often collaborate with engineers, architects, and manufacturing professionals on projects such as designing prototypes, creating detailed CAD models, and improving existing product designs. Your daily tasks may include preparing technical drawings, conducting tests or simulations, and ensuring that designs meet both client specifications and regulatory standards. Working within a multidisciplinary team environment means strong communication skills are essential, as you’ll regularly coordinate with colleagues from different backgrounds to find practical and innovative solutions.

What is design engineering technology?

Design Engineering Technology is a multidisciplinary field that combines principles of engineering, technology, and design to create and improve products, systems, or processes. Professionals in this field use technical knowledge and design skills to develop functional and aesthetically pleasing solutions for manufacturing, construction, or other industries. They often work with CAD software, prototyping tools, and collaborate with engineers and designers to turn concepts into practical, manufacturable products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design engineering technologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Engineering Technologist, you need a solid background in engineering principles, CAD design, and problem-solving, typically supported by a degree or diploma in design engineering technology. Familiarity with industry-standard CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), prototyping tools, and knowledge of manufacturing processes are essential. Strong teamwork, communication skills, and attention to detail help you collaborate effectively and ensure design accuracy. These skills are crucial for creating innovative, functional, and manufacturable designs that meet client and project requirements.
What are popular job titles related to Design Engineering Technology jobs in California? For Design Engineering Technology jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Engineering Technology jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Design Engineering Technology jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Design Engineering Technology jobs? Cities in California with the most Design Engineering Technology job openings:
Infographic showing various Design Engineering Technology job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,705 per year, or $63.8 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering

Meta

San Francisco, CA

$173K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

135th of 243 rated software companies


Job description

Meta's AI infrastructure is scaling faster than anything the data center industry has designed for. We need a Mechanical Engineer who can own the next generation of liquid cooling and thermal systems — from first concept through construction — at a scale no one else is building. You will serve as the design authority for novel systems, defining technical approaches where established standards may not yet exist.This is a small, expert team where your decisions directly shape what gets built. You'll set technical direction across hydronic and thermal systems, mentor engineers around you, and drive programs that deliver megawatts of compute capacity. Our current focus areas include:- Technical Roadmap — Charting the path for next-generation mechanical systems and emerging technologies- Programmatic Designs — Develop future data center designs- Owner Furnished Equipment — Develop, maintain, optimize and manage risk of critical mechanical equipment.- Design Localization — Lead the implementation of the programmatic designs for site-specific conditions and support construction administration for self build and leases.
Mechanical Engineer, Data Center Design Engineering Responsibilities:
  • Lead and/or assist on new data center product designs, integrating technological advancements while balancing cost, efficiency, time-to-delivery, and sustainability
  • Own data center product mechanical systems strategies and infrastructure designs — including liquid cooling, chiller plant design, and heat rejection systems — from concept through construction administration
  • Drive the design and development of airside and hydronic systems including CDU, Valve Train, Fan Coils, Central Chiller Plants, Drycoolers, and Cooling Towers
  • Develop design documentation and drive design execution across all design and delivery phases (SD, DD, CD, CA) for self builds (greenfield), lease facilities and retrofit projects
  • Work closely with CSLA, Electrical, Connectivity & Controls Engineering teams to achieve holistic product designs optimized for cost, construction speed, operational efficiency, and long-term flexibility
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams on prefabricated (DFSMA) solutions and modular component offerings (Building Block strategy) to be embedded into new design products
  • Partner with Energy & Water Modeling teams to evaluate environmental impacts, WUE optimization, and sustainability targets
  • Collaborate with Controls Engineering to ensure integrated mechanical control strategies and system-level optimization
  • Collaborate with Hardware engineering to align rack-level thermal and mechanical requirements (power density, coolant flow/pressure, temperature limits) with facility mechanical system design
  • Manage and hold EoR teams accountable on deliverables and performance
  • Prepare RFPs, analyze award recommendations, manage contracts, review change orders, VE proposals, shop drawings, submittals, RFIs
  • Participate in factory tests, onsite testing, commissioning, quality checks throughout project lifecycle
  • Balance short-term delivery priorities while tracking industry standards and emerging trends to drive long-term strategy with the Engineering Tech Strategy team
  • Perform research and develop analysis on new technologies, alternate materials, and liquid enablement solutions — building models of cost and environmental impact
  • Support R&D initiatives and pilot programs for next-generation mechanical systems through the Research Lab
  • Evaluate and advance reliability/availability engineering practices to reduce downtime risk and improve system readiness
  • Drive design-to-break-ground program schedules while working closely with design and construction teams to ensure milestones and completion dates are on track
  • Lead and oversee change management of applicable systems and drive towards resolution
  • Represent Meta's interests as Owner's Rep on self-performed and leased facility projects
  • Partner with Site Selection on assigned site due diligence and master planning projects
  • Work with design engineers and field teams on new design types so they can correctly apply them to specific projects
  • Support operations on knowledge sharing, handover and deployment planning to ensure smooth transitions from design to live operations
  • Provide technical guidance on commissioning, startup sequencing, and system validation
  • Able to travel up to 25% of the time

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Experience communicating technical decisions in writing and in presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences (e.g., design reviews, executive briefings, RFI responses)
  • Experience leading large-scale mechanical design programs from concept through construction
  • 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering for mission-critical facilities or data centers
  • Demonstrated expertise in liquid cooling systems, chiller plant design, and/or hydronic system design
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience
  • Experience with all phases of design delivery (SD, DD, CD, and CA)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Track record of mentoring engineers and building team capability
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
  • PE license (Mechanical)
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Experience representing Owners' interests on large capital programs
  • Experience with prefabricated/modular construction methodologies (DfSMA)
  • Electrical/MEP integration depth — ability to work across disciplines holistically
  • Hardware engineering thermal (HWE-Thermal) background — thermal design validation and product reliability
  • Experience with operations and deployment handover for data center mechanical systems
  • Controls system fluency — understanding of BMS/EPMS integration and mechanical controls logic
  • Background in R&D or piloting new mechanical technologies in production environments
  • Familiarity with advanced tooling, simulation, or AI-driven design optimization
  • Experience in availability and reliability engineering for critical infrastructure
  • Experience with acoustics/noise engineering and regulatory compliance for mechanical equipment

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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