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Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Jobs in Colorado

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Illumination Engineer Lead

Wheat Ridge, CO · On-site

$108.90K - $143.50K/yr

The position collaborates closely with mechanical, electrical, industrial design, and product teams ... Engineering, or related field Experience (by level) * Entry Level: 0-3 years in illumination ...

RK Mechanical

Project Engineer

Denver, CO

$70K - $87K/yr

This role is ideal for an entry-level engineer who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to apply and continue to develop strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a ...

TEKsystems

Model Maker

Boulder, CO

$30.41/hr

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills: • Background in Mechanical Engineering or Studio Arts ... Experience Level Entry Level Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Boulder ...

TEKsystems

Model Maker

Boulder, CO

$30.41/hr

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills: • Background in Mechanical Engineering or Studio Arts ... Experience Level Entry Level Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Boulder ...

broadmoor

Engineer, Cog Railway

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$18/hr

COG Railway Engineer Pay Rate: $18.00 per hour Job Summary: The Broadmoor is committed to creating ... Mechanical & Troubleshooting * Perform basic mechanical and electrical troubleshooting to identify ...

Hyatt

General Maintenance Engineer

Beaver Creek, CO

$24 - $31/hr

Guest room and public area entry-level preventative maintenance are included. A General Maintenance Engineer will also perform some repairs on mechanical, electrical, kitchen, and laundry equipment ...

SynergisticIT

AI & Machine Learning Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$117.90K - $141.50K/yr

Currently, we are looking for qualified entry-level Data Scientists who can apply Data Science ... Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics ...

Lockheed Martin

Quality Engineer - Early Career

Littleton, CO · On-site

$73.40K - $94.80K/yr

A entry level Quality Engineer on our team: • Develops, modifies, applies and maintains quality ... mechanisms and equipment & conducts quality assurance tests; • Performs statistical analysis to ...

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Entry Level Mechanical Engineering information

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$18

$34

$57

How much do entry level mechanical engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level mechanical engineering in Colorado is $34.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.32 and $39.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Mechanical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), engineering simulation tools, and basic knowledge of manufacturing processes are typically required. Strong teamwork, communication, and time management skills help you collaborate effectively and manage project deadlines. These competencies are crucial for delivering quality engineering solutions, adapting to project requirements, and contributing to successful team outcomes.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an entry-level mechanical engineer?

As an entry-level mechanical engineer, you’ll typically work on a variety of tasks such as drafting and updating technical drawings, assisting with prototype development, and conducting basic analyses under the guidance of senior engineers. You may also be involved in quality testing, preparing documentation, and supporting the design or manufacturing process. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including electrical engineers, manufacturing staff, and project managers—is common, providing valuable exposure to different aspects of the engineering process. This role offers a strong foundation for learning industry standards and developing technical problem-solving skills.

What are entry level mechanical engineers?

Entry level mechanical engineers are recent graduates or those with limited professional experience who work on designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing mechanical devices and systems. They typically support senior engineers by performing calculations, creating technical drawings, and assisting with product development. Their responsibilities often include using computer-aided design (CAD) software, conducting tests, and preparing reports. Entry level positions provide valuable hands-on experience and foundational knowledge in the field, serving as a stepping stone toward more advanced engineering roles.

What is the difference between Entry Level Mechanical Engineering vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Mechanical EngineeringMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering or Design
Work EnvironmentDesign, analysis, testing in labs or officesDesign development, CAD modeling, prototyping
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, consultingProduct design, machinery, consumer goods
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering roles focus on foundational engineering tasks like analysis and testing, while Mechanical Design Engineers specialize in creating detailed designs and CAD models. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and are found in manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace industries. The main difference lies in the focus: general engineering versus specialized design work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineering jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Mechanical Engineering jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs in Colorado? For Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Entry Level Mechanical Engineering job openings:
Entry Level Mechanical Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Mechanical Engineering job openings in Colorado as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,613 per year, or $34.9 per hour.
Illumination Engineer Lead

Illumination Engineer Lead

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Wheat Ridge, CO

$108.90K - $143.50K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago

Acuity Brands rating

4.5

Company rating: 4.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 137 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people's lives. 

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals. 

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com. 

Work location:

  • This position requires on-site presence in Wheat Ridge, CO, following a hybrid work model.
Job Summary

The Illumination Engineer is a core contributor to the Nexus team, Acuity Brands' lighting innovation group. This role focuses on early-stage illumination concepts, optical system design, and photometric analysis to translate customer problems and emerging trends into differentiated lighting solutions.

Operating at the front end of the product lifecycle, the role emphasizes optical exploration, performance discovery, and concept validation. The position collaborates closely with mechanical, electrical, industrial design, and product teams to shape concepts that can progress toward commercialization.
Open to considering candidates at the following skill levels:

  • Entry Level: Contributes to optical design, simulation, and analysis under guidance; develops foundational skills and supports concept development.
  • Senior Level: Independently drives optical concepts and analysis; owns key portions of projects and influences design direction.
  • Lead Level: Sets optical strategy, leads complex concept development, and influences long-term innovation direction across programs.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Invent Early-Stage Illumination Concepts

  • Collaboratively generate ideas for new products and develop those ideas into product concepts.
  • Translate customer needs, application requirements, and business objectives into illumination concepts and system-level performance targets.
  • Perform competitive analysis and market research to set project objectives and performance criteria

Optical Design & Simulation

  • Develop optical designs using ray trace and simulation tools to evaluate and refine light distribution, efficiency, glare, uniformity, and visual comfort.
  • Design optical architectures including lenses, reflectors, diffusers, and mixed systems.

Photometric Calculation & Analysis

  • Perform photometric calculations to quantify and set luminaire performance targets and application outcomes.
  • Interpret key metrics such as intensity, illuminance, luminance, uniformity, efficacy, and glare.

Prototype, Test, and Validate Concepts

  • Develop, build, and evaluate proof of concept prototypes and mockups using lab measurements and group visual review of subjective criteria
  • Correlate simulation results with measured performance.

Conduct Experiments & Design of Experiments (DoE)

  • Plan and execute experiments to explore materials, architectures, and system behaviors.
  • Use data to guide concept evolution and optimization.

Lead or Contribute to Innovation Activities

  • Participate in ideation sessions and innovation events.
  • Generate novel approaches to light delivery, visual experience, and system integration.

Research Technologies & Industry Trends

  • Monitor emerging optical technologies, research, standards, and competitors.
  • Identify opportunities for new illumination approaches.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work with mechanical, electrical, controls, industrial design, manufacturing, sourcing, and product teams.
  • Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and user experience.

Communicate Concepts and Tradeoffs

  • Develop clear presentations of optical concepts, simulations, test results, and tradeoffs.
  • Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders how design decisions impact user experience and the lighting application.

Support Intellectual Property Development

  • Document innovations and support patent development efforts.

Support Broader Product Development Efforts

  • Provide optical expertise across projects, including reviews, benchmarking, application and product performance analysis.
Skills and Minimum Experience Required

Education

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Illumination Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Experience (by level)

  • Entry Level: 0-3 years in illumination engineering, optics, or related fields
  • Senior Level: ~5-10 years of relevant experience with demonstrated ownership of optical design and analysis
  • Lead Level: 10+ years with experience leading complex optical development and influencing product direction

Technical Skills

  • Experience with optical simulation tools (e.g., Photopia, LightTools, or equivalent)
  • Experience with CAD and photometric tools (e.g., Visual, AGI32, Dialux, Rhino, Grasshopper, SolidWorks, or equivalents)
  • Knowledge of photometric analysis and lighting performance metrics
  • Experience with prototype development and validation

Additional Attributes

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to collaborate across disciplines
  • Clear communication of complex technical concepts
  • Familiarity with lighting standards and measurement practices (preferred)
  • Experience with IP or patent processes (preferred)

The range for this position is $104,200.00 to $149,500. Placement within this range may vary, depending on the applicant's experience and geographic location. Acuity offers generous benefits including health care, dental coverage, vision plans, 401K benefits, and commissions/incentive compensation depending on the role. For a list of our benefits, click here.

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please click here and here for more information.  

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000, select option 4. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition. 

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. 

Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor, but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search. 

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