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Engineering Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

IDEO

Mechanical Engineering Design Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Lead Mechanical Engineer San Francisco, CA At IDEO, we use design to create new products, services, experiences, tangible strategies, and creative capabilities. IDEO is in search of a Lead Mechanical ...

Valero Energy

Supervisor Design Engineering

Wilmington, CA · On-site

$100K - $138K/yr

As a Supervisor Design Engineering you will coordinate and conduct activities associated with providing design and drafting services to the Wilmington Refinery and Asphalt Plant. Incumbent will ...

Attalon, Inc.

Design Engineering Manager

Tustin, CA · On-site

$117K - $211K/yr

The Design Engineering Manager will oversee the Opto-Mechanical Design Engineering Department at Attalon Optical Systems, managing and training a team of highly skilled engineers. This role includes ...

Valero

Supervisor Design Engineering

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $138K/yr

As a Supervisor Design Engineering you will coordinate and conduct activities associated with providing design and drafting services to the Wilmington Refinery and Asphalt Plant. Incumbent will ...

Archer

Manager, Design Engineering Structures

San Jose, CA · On-site

$172K - $216K/yr

... Engineering, Materials Science, or related field Master's degree preferred 10+ years of experience in composite structures design and analysis 3+ years of management or team leadership experience ...

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All JobsEngineering Design JobsEngineering Design Jobs in California

Engineering Design information

See California salary details

$51.8K

$132.7K

$204.8K

How much do engineering design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering design 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 engineering design?

Engineering design is a systematic, creative process used by engineers to develop solutions to technical problems. It involves defining a problem, researching requirements, brainstorming ideas, creating prototypes, testing, and refining solutions to meet specific needs. The process often includes considering factors such as safety, cost, functionality, and sustainability. Engineering design is fundamental in creating products, systems, and structures used in everyday life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Engineering Design, and why are they important?

To thrive in Engineering Design, a strong background in mathematics, physics, and engineering principles is essential, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and knowledge of industry standards or certifications like PE (Professional Engineer) are typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration are vital soft skills that help drive innovative solutions and effective teamwork. These skills and qualifications are crucial for producing safe, efficient, and high-quality engineering designs that meet client and regulatory requirements.

How do engineering design professionals typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Engineering design professionals often work closely with teams such as manufacturing, quality assurance, procurement, and project management throughout the project lifecycle. Effective collaboration ensures that design specifications are feasible, cost-effective, and meet safety and regulatory standards. This usually involves regular meetings, design reviews, and clear communication channels to address feedback or constraints from various stakeholders. Such cross-functional teamwork is crucial to successfully translating concepts into functional, manufacturable products.

What is the difference between Engineering Design vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectEngineering DesignMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, design certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, PE license
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, CAD labsManufacturing plants, labs, fieldwork
Industry UsageProduct development, CAD modelingMechanical systems, machinery
Common Search IntentDesign processes, CAD toolsMechanical systems, thermodynamics

Engineering Design focuses on creating and developing product concepts using CAD and design principles, often working in design offices. Mechanical Engineering covers a broader scope, including analysis, manufacturing, and testing of mechanical systems. While both roles require engineering degrees, Mechanical Engineers often hold professional licenses and work in diverse environments like manufacturing and testing facilities. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find roles aligned with their skills and career goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Engineering Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Engineering Design jobs in California? For Engineering Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Engineering Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Engineering Design job openings:
Engineering Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Design job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 69% Full Time, and 26% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $132,705 per year, or $63.8 per hour.
Mechanical Engineering Design Lead

Mechanical Engineering Design Lead

IDEO

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Lead Mechanical EngineerSan Francisco, CA
At IDEO, we use design to create new products, services, experiences, tangible strategies, and creative capabilities.
IDEO is in search of a Lead Mechanical Engineer to guide and shape the work of our world-class interdisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep industry knowledge of product development lifecycles & maintenance; a drive to iterate quickly through prototyping; and an inclusive collaboration style. This hire will have the unique opportunity to help evolve IDEO's practice of engineering high-impact physical products, building on our diverse network of Design Directors, Partners, and Business Leaders.
In a Nutshell:
The Lead Mechanical Engineer is directly responsible for leading physical product development efforts for our exceptionally creative clients across industries.
We are especially excited to meet candidates with exceptional project management skills; visual storytelling abilities; a drive to get tangible by prototyping in both digital and physical realms; and a grounding in core design for manufacturing (DFM) principles and practices.
This hire must be within a commutable distance of IDEO's San Francisco studio. IDEO proudly supports flexible work.
Once here you will:
  • Lead and manage mechanical design efforts on complex projects from concept to implementation.
  • Be the key technical voice on multi-disciplinary teams, translating between form and function.
  • Elevate clients' climate goals and sustainability best practices through 0-1 physical product development, materials science research, and life cycle analysis (LCA).
  • Mentor and guide junior engineers and designers in the craft of physical product realization, sourcing partner manufacturers, and design for manufacturing principles.
  • Present design direction through CAD, physical prototypes, and visual storytelling.
  • Partner with research, design, and business stakeholders to define project strategies and product direction.
  • Build, test, and iterate high-fidelity functional prototypes using 3D printers and machine tools.
  • Contribute to and occasionally lead user research throughout concepting and pilot production phases.
    • These may include in-home visits, ethnographic diary studies, qualitative / quantitative survey analysis, or other participatory workshop activities.
  • Represent IDEO in client communications, workshops, and presentations.

Qualifications / Experience:
  • 5-7+ years of experience in mechanical engineering or product design
  • Proven ability to guide product development through ambiguous problem spaces
  • Deep proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred), Adobe Creative Suite, and rapid physical prototyping tools beyond 3D printing (machining, CNC lasercutting, foamcore, paper prototyping, etc)
  • Experience launching products and sourcing key manufacturing partners
  • Professional leadership & production experience with one or more of the following:
    • Complex Mechanism Design: proven ability to design, test, and develop robust mechanisms for products like medical devices or consumer electronics.
    • Packaging: Understand basic structural packaging design and sustainability considerations.
    • Health and Life Sciences Products: Usability and functionality with a focus on ergonomics and medical-specific requirements.
    • Injection Molded Plastic Part Design: Having a general knowledge of tooling approaches to aid in part design, including awareness of techniques like overmolding.
    • Design for Manufacturing and Assembly: Having a general understanding of the types of trade-offs and decisions that need to be made when designing a product for mass production.
    • Proof of Concept Prototyping: Functional prototypes to explore a key design challenge and prove something is technically feasible.
    • Research Model Prototyping: Prototyping to create different models to elicit user feedback during research sessions.
  • Experience mentoring junior designers and leading small teams
  • Experience working in startups or client-service studios, and a systems-thinking mindset

Nice-to-have Skills:
  • A leading craft edge in one or more of the following skills...
    • UI/UX design (figma, framer, protopie, etc)
    • Coding/Software Development (Mechatronics, Arduino, Python, etc)
    • Storytelling tools such as photography, videography

Salary & Benefits
IDEO is committed to paying its employees equitably, regardless of gender identity or race/ethnicity/cultural identity. We support the holistic well-being of our community by providing a thoughtfully designed benefits package.
The salary range for this role is $110,000-$130,000 USD. This range is influenced by a wide range of factors considered in compensation decisions at IDEO. This includes, but is not limited to: skills, industry knowledge, and experience. Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on candidate experience, expertise, and other factors.
In addition to base compensation, IDEO offers a rich benefits package including the following:
Health Benefits: Vision, Dental, Healthcare
Financial Benefits: 401K matching
Family & Caregiving: Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance, Fertility Assistance, Transgender Medical Assistance, Breastmilk shipment, Back-up/Dependent Care, Pet Insurance
Other Benefits: Flexible Work, Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays, Annual Education Stipend, Home Office Stipend
Commitment to Diversity
At IDEO, we are committed to the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose of having disproportionate, world-changing impact through design is directly connected to our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table. This applies to our candidates, the people we hire, the clients and customers we serve, and the communities we learn from in our research.
As a human-centered organization, we are committed to working with and designing for people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices.

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