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Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Infinite Peripherals

Sustaining Engineer I

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $88K/yr

Serve as the Level 3 technical point of contact for contract manufacturers (CMs) and vendors to ... Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a relevant technical ...

Infinite Peripherals

Sustaining Engineer I

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $88K/yr

Serve as the Level 3 technical point of contact for contract manufacturers (CMs) and vendors to ... Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a relevant technical ...

Thermal Structures

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Project Engineer - Composites

Corona, CA · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

This entry-level role develops foundational knowledge of composite materials, fabrication processes ... Key Responsibilities Project & Technical Execution Level I • Support contract review and analysis ...

FieldAI

Electrical Engineer-Federal

Irvine, CA

$70K - $300K/yr

You will collaborate closely with the mechanical, sensor, and compute teams to build tightly ... Build: Work with vendors and contract manufacturers to procure PCBs and harnesses. Develop QA ...

FieldAI

Electrical Engineer-Federal

Irvine, CA

You will collaborate closely with the mechanical, sensor, and compute teams to build tightly ... Build: Work with vendors and contract manufacturers to procure PCBs and harnesses. Develop QA ...

FieldAI

Electrical Engineer, Robotics Hardware

Irvine, CA · On-site

$70K - $300K/yr

You will collaborate closely with the mechanical, sensor, and compute teams to build tightly ... Build: Work with vendors and contract manufacturers to procure PCBs and harnesses. Develop QA ...

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All JobsContract Mechanical Engineer JobsEntry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer JobsEntry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$18

$34

$57

How much do entry level contract mechanical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level contract mechanical engineer in Riverside, CA is $34.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.08 and $39.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $200,000 a year as a mechanical engineer?

Entry-level mechanical engineers typically earn between $60,000 and $80,000 annually, with higher salaries possible for experienced professionals or those working in specialized industries like aerospace or oil and gas. Reaching a $200,000 salary generally requires many years of experience, advanced skills, management responsibilities, or working in high-paying sectors, often beyond entry-level positions.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, often through senior roles, bonuses, or stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, certifications, and extensive industry experience.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

While most entry-level mechanical engineers do not earn that level of salary, highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as aerospace, petroleum, or nuclear engineering can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, or in senior leadership roles. These positions typically require advanced skills, certifications, and many years of experience in high-demand industries.

Can you make $250,000 as an engineer?

Entry level contract mechanical engineers typically earn lower salaries, with most starting salaries below $80,000 annually. Achieving a $250,000 salary usually requires extensive experience, advanced skills, management roles, or working in specialized industries such as aerospace or oil and gas. Salary growth depends on experience, certifications, and geographic location.

What is the difference between Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Designer?

AspectEntry Level Contract Mechanical EngineerMechanical Designer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, possibly internshipsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field, sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentEngineering firms, manufacturing, construction sitesDesign offices, CAD labs, manufacturing settings
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering consulting, manufacturing companies, contractorsDesign firms, product development, manufacturing

Both roles often require a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineers focus on applying engineering principles to projects, often working on design, analysis, and testing. Mechanical Designers primarily create detailed CAD models and drawings for manufacturing. While both work in related environments, engineers typically handle broader engineering tasks, whereas designers focus on detailed design work.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA? For Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,043 per year, or $34.6 per hour.
Entry Level Project Engineer - Southern California

Entry Level Project Engineer - Southern California

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Riverside, CA

$69K - $92K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

McCarthy Building Companies rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

This job posting is intended for early career professionals with approximately one year or less of industry work experience. Current seniors enrolled in a 4 year college degree program who are graduating within one year are also encouraged to apply.

The Project Engineer’s position establishes the fundamental principles for an individual’s growth and success within McCarthy. In this hands-on role, you will gain experience with project controls and communications as well as get exposure to the technical aspects of constructing a project. This position is the initial step in developing the managerial and communication skills for project management. 

Please note: This position will be based out of the Southern California area but will require relocation to support projects out-of-state for a certain period of time.
Key Responsibilities: 

  • General Contract and Subcontract administration
  • Monitor/document job-site safety and accident prevention
  • Construction scheduling
  • Procurement and expediting of material and equipment
  • Mechanical, electrical and piping systems coordination
  • Shop drawing/submittal review and coordination
  • Project cost review, reporting, updating and accounting
  • Review of subcontractor applications for payment
  • Participation in/documentation of project coordination meetings
  • Supervision/coordination of subcontractors’ field installations
  • Review/negotiate change proposal pricing from subcontractors and prepare change proposal pricing for self-performed work
  • Change order documentation and associated cost reporting and maintenance
  • Research and suggest options on construction means, methods and equipment
  • Maintenance of As-Built plans
  • Quality control and project closeout

Skills & Qualifications:   

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management or Engineering required
  • General knowledge of construction principles/practices required
  • Strong work ethic and desire to work in a team environment required
  • Must be geographically mobile and able to work anywhere in the following counties: Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire.
  • Construction internship or other related construction work experience preferred

For Southern California locations, the starting salary for this position is: $88,000. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation. Compensation offered may vary based on work location, experience, qualifications, specialty, training, and market and business considerations, among other factors. 

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status. 

What McCarthy Building Companies employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About McCarthy Building

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

McCarthy Building, headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, US, is a leading construction company primarily offering general contracting, design-build and construction management services throughout the United States. Its prominent industry presence can be explored in detail on its official website, mccarthy.com. Founded in 1864, the company has built a robust legacy marked by significant contributions to the U.S. construction industry. McCarthy Building engages a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, commercial, renewable energy, and advanced technology.

Industry

Construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1864

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