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Entry Level Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This is an entry-level design role built to grow an engineer into an independent contributor on propulsion component programs. Responsibilities Design Support * Support the design of propulsion ...

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Entry Level Design Engineer information

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$29.6K

$68.5K

$116.5K

How much do entry level design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level design engineer in California is $68,454.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,800.00 and $77,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level design engineer do?

An Entry Level Design Engineer assists with creating and developing designs for products, structures, or systems, often under the supervision of senior engineers. They typically use computer-aided design (CAD) software to draft blueprints, modify existing designs, and perform basic engineering calculations. Their role may also involve collaborating with manufacturing teams, preparing documentation, and ensuring designs meet required standards and specifications. This position provides hands-on experience and learning opportunities for those starting their engineering careers.

What are some common challenges new entry level design engineers face during their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Entry Level Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to industry-specific software, understanding project requirements, and effectively communicating design ideas to both technical and non-technical team members. Building strong relationships with mentors, proactively seeking feedback, and dedicating time to learn design tools and standards can help ease the transition. Embracing a growth mindset and actively participating in team discussions can also accelerate learning and confidence in the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Design Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and simulation software, as well as knowledge of industry standards, is typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and deliver accurate designs. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing reliable and innovative engineering solutions that meet project requirements.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Entry Level Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,454 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Entry-Level Structural Engineer | Designer

Degenkolb Engineers

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Position Description

We review candidates for the Entry-Level Structural Engineer | Designer position throughout the year on a rolling basis for all California offices - Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco - as well as Seattle, Washington, and our Midwest offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Launch your structural engineering career with meaningful work, trusted mentorship, and a team invested in your growth.

You may indicate interest in multiple locations on a single application; additional submissions are not necessary. Candidates are considered for one location at a time based on ranked preferences and office availability.

Who Thrives Here

You are a high-achieving graduating master's student who is curious, collaborative, and passionate about structural engineering. You may be especially interested in seismic analysis for our West Coast offices or steel design for our Michigan offices. You want more than a first job: you want meaningful technical challenges, access to experienced mentors, and a team that trusts you to learn, contribute, and grow.

At Degenkolb, early-career engineers are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, understand the purpose behind the work, and connect technical decisions to client and community needs. You will be supported as you develop your voice, judgment, and confidence as an engineer.

Who We Are

 Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers has more than eight decades of commitment to innovation, client service, and life-long learning. We deliver customized structural solutions in a variety of practice areas such as healthcare, education, science and technology, forensics, construction engineering, and federal buildings. We address every project need—whether meeting stringent codes, staying on budget, adhering to tight schedules, or creating landmark structural systems. 

Position Summary

As a Designer, you will support the planning, analysis, and design of structural engineering projects that help create safe and beautiful built environments while serving the needs of our clients through our culture of excellence. Working alongside experienced engineers and project managers, you will contribute to engineering analyses, contract documents, and project deliverables while gaining exposure to client interactions, site visits, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

This role provides a strong technical foundation through meaningful project work, mentorship, candid feedback, and purposeful professional development.

What You'll Do

  • Structural Analysis & Design: Perform structural analysis and design tasks under the guidance of licensed engineers. Apply engineering principles and sound engineering judgment to develop safe, effective structural solutions and contract deliverables that meet the governing building codes.
  • Project Delivery & Quality: Produce accurate, organized, and high-quality work that reflects Degenkolb's standards. Build an understanding of project objectives, scope, budget, and schedule; manage assigned work; and communicate progress, questions, and potential issues early.
  • Client & Team Collaboration: Build trusted relationships with project teams and clients by participating in meetings, supporting client communications, preparing technical documentation, and communicating clearly and professionally in writing and conversation.
  • Project Site Experience: Participate in site visits with experienced engineers to observe existing conditions and construction activities, document field observations, and connect design decisions with how structures are built and perform in the real world.
  • Professional Growth & Development: Expand your technical knowledge and professional skills through project experience, mentorship, feedback, purposeful learning, challenging assignments, and participation in professional organizations while progressing toward PE licensure.
  • Ownership & Contribution: Take responsibility for your commitments, seek context when needed, share ideas, and contribute to the collective success of your project teams, office, and firm.

Minimum Requirements

  • Education: A master's degree in structural engineering is strongly preferred.
  • Alternative Path: Exceptional candidates with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and one to two years of highly technical structural design experience will be considered if they demonstrate proficiency equivalent to advanced graduate-level work.
  • Core technical proficiency must be demonstrated through advanced graduate coursework or verified professional project experience in:

1.      Advanced steel design

2.  Advanced reinforced concrete design

3.      Advanced structural analysis

4.      Structural dynamics

5.      Earthquake engineering (West Coast offices)

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.40 or higher; strong academic performance in graduate coursework is expected, where applicable
  • Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, as applicable
  • Professional written and verbal communication skills
  • Current authorization to work in the United States for any employer

Desired Qualifications

  • Passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
  • Additional coursework or experience in wood design, prestressed concrete, or finite element analysis, or
  • Additional coursework or experience in nonlinear analysis for West Coast office locations
  • Familiarity with engineering software and tools such as AutoCAD, Tekla, RISA, RAM, Revit, Excel, Mathcad, SAP2000, ETABS, Python, or similar platforms
  • Demonstrated leadership potential, initiative, and commitment to collaborative learning
  • Experience in seismic analysis and the design of buildings (West Coast offices)