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Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California

Mechanical Design Engineer The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for designing, validating, and sustaining pressure and temperature sensing products for aerospace applications. This role ...

Mechanical Design Engineer The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for designing, validating, and sustaining pressure and temperature sensing products for aerospace applications. This role ...

Vast is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer , reporting to the Manager, Structures Design, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

San Mateo, CA

$86K - $117K/yr

Position Overview We are looking for Mechanical Design Engineers to create and fabricate robotic systems for teleoperation, human-robot interaction and data collection. You will be responsible for ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Valencia, CA

$77K - $104K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineer is the first step in our process of taking an idea or design and making it reality. We are looking for a dedicated engineer interested in joining Image Engineering to ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Valencia, CA · On-site

$77K - $104K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineer is the first step in our process of taking an idea or design and making it reality. We are looking for a dedicated engineer interested in joining Image Engineering to ...

In This Role, You'll Design & Engineering * Own mechanical subsystem design from concept to prototype and iteration * Design parts and assemblies in CAD, supported by hand calculations and FEA when ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Hayward, CA

$87K - $118K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer The Mechanical Design Engineer supports the design and development of mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment, components, circuits, and cables for both new and ...

New

Mechanical Design Engineer

Goleta, CA

$82K - $111K/yr

As the Mechanical Design Engineer, you will provide engineering support for the day-to-day production needs alongside other cross-functional partners to sustain production flow, resolve technical ...

mechanical design engineer Overview The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for designing, validating, and sustaining pressure and temperature sensing products for aerospace applications.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Plus, entry-level to 3 years of professional experience in mechanical design. * Prior experience ... Manufacturing and Engineering Departments Physical Requirements: -Use appropriate PPE and follow ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

North Hollywood, CA · On-site

$80K - $108K/yr

Mechanical Design engineers and Quality checkers, with Manufacturing engineering background. 6+ yrs Aerospace experience is a must New Product Introduction In-service reliability tracking and ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$81K - $109K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineering role is responsible for developing flight hardware for new and existing airframes. You will serve as the extreme owner of the product from concept through ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$77K - $105K/yr

Job Title:-Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Camarillo, CA (Onsite - Local Candidates Preferred) Exp. Level: 5 + Yrs Min. Skills & Description: * Solidworks 3D and good 2D drawing skills . We ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Azusa, CA

$77K - $104K/yr

We are seeking an aspiring Mechanical Design Engineer to help us design and develop high-performance automotive products and systems using CAD, CFD, FEA tools. You will manage design projects from ...

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Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$17

$32

$54

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

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level mechanical design engineer in California is $32.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.59 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level mechanical design engineer?

An Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for assisting in the design, development, and testing of mechanical components and systems. They work under the supervision of senior engineers to create technical drawings, 3D models, and prototypes using design software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Their duties often include analyzing design specifications, making modifications, and ensuring products meet industry standards. These engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve design challenges and improve efficiency. This role serves as a foundation for gaining hands-on experience and building expertise in mechanical engineering principles.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an entry level mechanical design engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering fundamentals, CAD software proficiency, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and experience with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software is advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively in team settings are essential soft skills. These competencies enable you to design practical solutions, bring ideas to life, and contribute efficiently to engineering projects.

What projects or assignments does an entry level mechanical design engineer typically work on?

As an Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer, you may be involved in developing component designs, updating existing models, creating technical drawings, and assisting with prototype testing. You’ll often collaborate with senior engineers, manufacturing teams, and quality assurance to ensure your designs meet project specifications and industry standards. It’s common to balance multiple tasks, such as modeling new parts in CAD, running basic simulations, and participating in design reviews. These experiences give you valuable exposure to the product development cycle and help you build the foundation for more advanced engineering responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 90% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $68,151 per year, or $32.8 per hour.

Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer

Solar Turbines Incorporated

San Diego, CA • On-site

$72K - $108K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Solar Turbines rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

82nd of 487 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Career Area:
Engineering
Job Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Mechanical Design Engineer (Entry-Level)
Job Summary:
Solar Turbines Inc. has an opportunity within the Custom Solutions Engineering group for a motivated, creative, high performing Engineer to join an elite team and work in a fast-paced project execution environment.
Job Accountabilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for creating the design of the turbo machinery package systems and components in accordance with the ACS (Application Check Sheet) definition. They are responsible for the content, accuracy, and timeliness of the Mechanical Interface Drawing (MID) and overall mechanical definition provided to the organization.
The candidate may also be responsible for the creation of bills of materials and drawings to support production and customer needs. They will provide a high level of support, coordination, and communication to other design and support organizations. This may involve coordination with purchasing and suppliers to specify custom components and assist in the resolution of technical issues from the field. Support of inter-departmental and corporate process improvement initiatives is also expected.
This position requires excellent organization and time management abilities, effective problem solving and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team environment. The engineer will apply analysis techniques to design structures, piping systems, and other package components and should have a basic understanding of structural analysis, system design, and turbine applications and installation.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering
  • GPA 2.8 or above

Top Candidates Have:
  • Experience with Gas Turbine Systems and their operation
  • Knowledge of Linked / Configurable Data
  • Experience with Creo Parametric and Windchill
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, team environment, capable of handling multiple projects with competing priorities, while meeting project deadlines and commitments

Summary Pay Range:
$72,360.00 - $108,540.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
  • 401(k) savings plans*
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
  • Health Lifestyle Programs*
  • Employee Assistance Program*
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
  • Career Development*
  • Incentive bonus*
  • Disability benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Adoption benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
July 28, 2026 - August 11, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

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