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Freelance Gear Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Adecco

Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$69.71 - $81.73/hr

Design and develop gearbox systems for gas turbine engines, including gear geometry, bearings, housings, and lubrication systems * Perform mechanical design and engineering analysis (FEA, thermal ...

Hollywood Woodwork

Design Engineer

Hollywood, FL · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

The Design Engineer at our millwork company is responsible for creating detailed designs and ... appropriate safety gear. Working Conditions: * Office environment with occasional visits to ...

Gleason

Tooling Design Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Gleason's product and service offerings include gear and transmission design software, gear ... An engineer in Work Holding Engineering (WHE) Group at The Gleason Works will design the components ...

ASSA ABLOY

Mechanical Design Engineer

Monroe, NC · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

This is a hands-on engineering role where creativity meets precision-you'll design, prototype, test ... Mechanical dynamic system design requiring working knowledge in spring, bevel gear, rack and pinion ...

Allient Incorporated

Design Engineer

Watertown, NY · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

... gear motors, electric motors and drives a plus - Ability to interpret an extensive variety of ... engineering design software such as Solidworks, MatLab, Altium, etc. Work Environment ...

ASSA ABLOY

Mechanical Design Engineer

Monroe, NC · On-site

$72K - $97K/yr

This is a hands-on engineering role where creativity meets precision-you'll design, prototype, test ... Mechanical dynamic system design requiring working knowledge in spring, bevel gear, rack and pinion ...

Assa Abloy

Mechanical Design Engineer

Monroe, NC · On-site

$72K - $97K/yr

This is a hands-on engineering role where creativity meets precision-you'll design, prototype, test ... Mechanical dynamic system design requiring working knowledge in spring, bevel gear, rack and pinion ...

Allient Incorporated

Design Engineer

Tulsa, OK · On-site

The Design Engineer provides engineering support for new customer application development, new ... gear motors, electric motors and drives a plus * Ability to interpret an extensive variety of ...

gleason

Tooling Design Engineer

Gleason, TN · On-site

Design tooling for all gear processing operations from cutting of blanks to final inspection for ... Work with Senior Engineers on the development and creation of non-standard tooling for specialized ...

Rivian

Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Gearbox

Tustin, CA · On-site

$107K - $134K/yr

ISO 1328 • Apply plastic gear design guidelines per Standard: VDI 2736 accounting for shrinkage ... electrical engineers to integrate gear trains with angle sensors and other position-sensing ...

gleason

Tooling Design Engineer

Gleason, TN · On-site

Design tooling for all gear processing operations from cutting of blanks to final inspection for ... Work with Senior Engineers on the development and creation of non-standard tooling for specialized ...

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Freelance Gear Design Engineer information

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$47

$132

How much do freelance gear design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance gear design engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance gear design engineer do?

A Freelance Gear Design Engineer specializes in designing gears and gear systems for various mechanical applications, such as automotive, industrial machinery, and robotics. They work independently with clients to create precise gear specifications, perform calculations, model gears using CAD software, and ensure the designs meet performance and durability requirements. Their responsibilities also include collaborating with other engineers, providing technical documentation, and sometimes overseeing prototype fabrication or testing. Freelance Gear Design Engineers offer flexibility and expertise to companies needing specialized gear solutions without hiring a full-time engineer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance gear design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Gear Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, expertise in gear design principles, and experience with CAD software, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with tools like SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, and gear calculation software, as well as familiarity with industry standards such as AGMA or ISO, is typically required. Strong project management, client communication, and problem-solving skills help you excel in delivering custom solutions and managing diverse projects independently. These skills are essential for producing precise, reliable designs that meet client specifications and industry standards in a competitive freelance environment.

What are some common challenges freelance gear design engineers face when collaborating with clients remotely?

Freelance gear design engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning on technical requirements, managing communication across time zones, and ensuring secure exchange of proprietary design files. It’s important to establish clear project milestones, use reliable collaboration tools for sharing CAD models, and maintain regular check-ins with clients to address feedback promptly. Building strong documentation habits and proactively clarifying expectations can help smooth the remote collaboration process and lead to successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Freelance Gear Design Engineer vs Mechanical Gear Designer?

AspectFreelance Gear Design EngineerMechanical Gear Designer
CredentialsRelevant engineering degrees, certifications often freelance or self-taughtTypically holds a degree in mechanical engineering, with specialized gear design certifications
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteEmployed by companies, design departments, or manufacturing firms
Industry UsageFreelance consulting, custom projects, small businessesIn-house design teams, manufacturing, industrial sectors
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance gear design services or contractorsSeeking in-house or full-time gear design roles

In summary, a Freelance Gear Design Engineer works independently on custom projects, often remotely, while a Mechanical Gear Designer is typically employed full-time within a company’s design team. Both roles require engineering knowledge, but their work settings and employment types differ significantly.

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Freelance Gear Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Gear Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Senior Transmission Design Engineer

Astro Mechanica

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$150K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

ABOUT US:
Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies-which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system-with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.
WHO WE ARE:
We're a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We're generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.
WHO YOU ARE:
Astro Mechanica is looking for a Senior Transmission Design Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate is someone who has a deep-seated understanding of complex system dynamics and can take full ownership of design and validation of high-speed power transmission systems. Your work at Astro Mechanica will have a direct impact on the configuration and performance of the turboelectric adaptive jet engine.
In this role, your mission will be to architect, analyze, build, and test critical power transmission systems to power the electric propulsion systems. You will collaborate between propulsion, aircraft, and test teams to deliver optimized transmission hardware for the flight vehicle, proven through rigorous ground testing. You are attentive to detail and enjoy solving nuanced, interconnected problems.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Architect high-performance, high-speed geartrain systems with consideration for high-speed rotordynamic effects, lubrication, and highly integrated interfaces
  • Perform gear design calculations (AGMA/ISO standards), including load capacity, contact stress, and bending fatigue
  • Conduct dynamic analysis of rotating systems including vibration, critical speed, and noise, vibration, harshness (KissSoft, Simcenter, SMT MASTA, Ansys)
  • Design and analyze custom shaft, bearing, housing, and lubrication system hardware and establish subsystem testing to validate component performance
  • Specify qualification testing and analyze test data for hardware behavior and performance characterization
  • Improve and maintain the accuracy of simulation models through anchoring to historical and internally generated test data
  • Define instrumentation placement with understanding of measurement limitations
  • Diagnose hardware/software problems efficiently and perform corrective actions

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
  • 5+ years hands-on experience with transmission design and/or test in automotive, aerospace, or power generation applications
  • Foundational knowledge of rotordynamics, fatigue effects, lubrication systems, and transmission failure modes
  • Familiarity with test instrumentation, data reduction, and anchoring analysis with experimental results
  • Takes initiative for continuous improvement (not just completing assigned tasks)
  • Flexibility to work in a fast-paced and high-growth environment
  • Attentive to detail and maintain a high level of quality in all work

PERKS & BENEFITS:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
  • Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time
  • Flexible work environment
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.
Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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