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Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

In this role, you will develop mechanical design solutions, perform engineering analysis, validate product performance, and support customer applications. You will collaborate closely with ...

Non-Plant Exempt POSITION PURPOSE The Design Engineer is an entry-level position where associates are heavily supervised and are expected to learn and assist with all engineering design aspects of a ...

Non-Plant Exempt POSITION PURPOSE The Design Engineer is an entry-level position where associates are heavily supervised and are expected to learn and assist with all engineering design aspects of a ...

Overview Imperative is seeking an entry\-level systems Design Engineer to be part of a special ... Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer ...

Overview Imperative is seeking an entry\-level systems Design Engineer to be part of a special ... Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer ...

Non-Plant Exempt POSITION PURPOSE The Design Engineer is an entry-level position where associates are heavily supervised and are expected to learn and assist with all engineering design aspects of a ...

Design Engineer

Winchester, VA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Non-Plant Exempt POSITION PURPOSE The Design Engineer is an entry-level position where associates are heavily supervised and are expected to learn and assist with all engineering design aspects of a ...

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Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$17

$32

$54

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

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level mechanical design engineer in Virginia is $32.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.68 and $37.16 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 Virginia?

The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Entry Level Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 92% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $68,463 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer (Entry Level)

Qualdoc

Chesterfield, VA

$80K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer (Entry Level)

Location: Chesterfield, VA
Schedule: 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off)
Job Type: Direct Hire
Starting Salary: $80,000/year (Higher salary available based on experience)
Travel: Approximately 10%

Position Overview

Seeking a hands-on Mechanical Design Engineer to design, improve, and support specialized heavy equipment and mechanical systems. This role covers the full product lifecycle-from concept and engineering through manufacturing, field deployment, testing, and ongoing improvement.

The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex mechanical problems and working directly with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, vendors, and customers.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Development

  • Design new crane systems, heavy equipment, and mechanical components and modify existing equipment.
  • Turn concepts and field requirements into practical mechanical designs.
  • Perform reverse engineering and redesign of existing components.
  • Validate designs using engineering calculations, FEA, CAD modeling, prototyping, and field testing.
  • Improve equipment performance, manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost.
  • Maintain and improve standard equipment designs while meeting engineering, safety, and customer requirements.

Project & Manufacturing Support

  • Manage engineering projects from concept through manufacturing, testing, implementation, and lifecycle support.
  • Lead crane rebuild and refurbishment activities, including inspections, repair planning, upgrades, testing, and final delivery.
  • Work with Manufacturing, Operations, vendors, and suppliers to support production schedules and product releases.
  • Provide technical assistance through troubleshooting, field inspections, on-site support, and emergency response.
  • Ensure equipment meets applicable specifications, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements.

Engineering Support

  • Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve technical challenges.
  • Maintain accurate engineering drawings, calculations, bills of materials (BOMs), and design records.
  • Support quality assurance, product standardization, and continuous improvement.
  • Communicate technical information effectively with customers, vendors, manufacturing personnel, and cross-functional teams.
  • Manage multiple projects and priorities, including changing requirements and emergency response needs.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar discipline.
  • Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent parametric CAD software.
  • Working knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and ability to validate results using engineering calculations.
  • Understanding of mechanical design principles, manufacturing processes, and engineering documentation.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
  • Commitment to workplace safety and engineering quality.
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 10% for inspections, customer support, and field activities.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) certification.
  • CSWA or CSWP SolidWorks certification.
  • Experience designing heavy equipment, cranes, mobile equipment, or industrial machinery.
  • Experience with hydraulic and electrical systems.
  • Experience supporting products through manufacturing and field deployment.
  • Familiarity with OSHA, ASME, AWS, AAR, or other applicable engineering standards.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
  • 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.
  • Primary work location in Chesterfield, VA, with occasional work at other facilities, customer sites, vendor locations, and field operations.
  • Engineers may occasionally support emergency operations outside normal business hours.
  • Ability to sit, stand, walk, and communicate throughout the workday.
  • Ability to climb on equipment during inspections, testing, and troubleshooting.
  • Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to work extended hours when required.
  • Comfortable working safely in both office and industrial environments.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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About Qualdoc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

2020