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Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Ralliant

Mechanical Engineer (Qualitrol)

Fairport, NY · On-site

$67 - $124/hr

You will design, develop, and create 3D models, detailed mechanical drawings, BOMs ... Able to perform Engineering Change Requests that involve updating drawings and BOMs. * Ensure ...

New

L3HHCM20

Specialist, Mechanical Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$76K - $142K/yr

Design and develop mechanisms, mechanical assemblies, and structural hardware for new product ... Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics ...

New

Actalent

Mechanical Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

Mechanical Engineer This Mechanical Engineer role focuses on designing and engineering HVAC and ... Design HVAC systems, including airside and hydronic systems, for building and industrial ...

TE Connectivity

SR R&D/PRODUCT DVL ENGINEER

Rochester, NY · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

You'll solve complex mechanical engineering challenges in sub-micron precision design, working with advanced materials to create products that enable the world's most demanding optical interconnect ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsMechanical Design Engineer JobsFreelance Mechanical Design Engineer JobsFreelance Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$44.9K

$90.4K

$134.7K

How much do freelance mechanical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance mechanical design engineer in Rochester, NY is $90,357.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $101,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance mechanical design engineer do?

As a freelance mechanical design engineer, you perform your duties on a contract basis for clients. Your responsibilities include working with a project manager to understand the scope of the design project and designing a working prototype for tools, hardware, or components for robotic or sensing equipment. You work closely with QA testers and other manufacturing specialists to assess the quality of the project before a company prepares to implement large-scale production. As a freelance design engineer, you need to seek out new work on a regular basis.

What does a freelance mechanical design engineer do?

A Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and tests mechanical systems or components for clients on a project-by-project basis. They use software tools like CAD (Computer-Aided Design) to create detailed drawings and specifications, often working remotely or on contract. Their work can span various industries, including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and consumer products. Freelance engineers are responsible for meeting client requirements, managing project timelines, and often handling their own business operations. This role requires strong technical skills, creativity, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, CAD proficiency, and usually a relevant degree or certification. Expertise with design software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA, along with familiarity with prototyping and simulation tools, is typically required. Strong project management, client communication, and problem-solving skills help you stand out in a competitive freelance market. These competencies are crucial for delivering innovative, precise solutions that meet client specifications and deadlines.

What are some common challenges freelance mechanical design engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Freelance mechanical design engineers often juggle several projects for different clients, which can present challenges in prioritizing deadlines, adapting to varying project requirements, and maintaining clear communication across teams. Effective time management and organizational skills are crucial to ensure deliverables meet each client's standards and timelines. Additionally, freelancers must be proactive in clarifying project scopes, managing revisions, and keeping up-to-date with the latest design tools and industry standards to stay competitive.

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

AspectFreelance Mechanical Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically holds relevant engineering degrees; certifications optionalRequires engineering degree; professional licenses may be preferred
Work EnvironmentSelf-employed, remote or on-site projects, flexible scheduleEmployed by companies, usually in office or lab settings
Employer & Industry UsageWorks with multiple clients across industries like automotive, aerospace, consumer productsWorks for a single employer, focusing on product development within a specific industry

In summary, Freelance Mechanical Design Engineers operate independently, often juggling multiple clients and projects, offering flexibility. In contrast, Mechanical Design Engineers are typically employed full-time by companies, focusing on in-house product development and design tasks.

More about Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY?

For Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer job openings:

Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,357 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Lead Controls Hardware Design Engineer - Relocation Assistance Eligible

Progressive Machine & Design, LLC

Victor, NY • On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Location: On-site - Victor, NY. Design it. Build it. See it run.
Qualified Candidates May be eligible for relocation assistance.
Salary: $125,000 - $140,000
JOB SUMMARY
Our Controls Engineering Department is Growing and we're looking for leaders of the pack who have experience in custom automation - no two projects are quite alike! The Lead Controls Hardware Design Engineer is responsible for providing controls hardware design for turnkey custom automation equipment.
At PMD, our engineers don't just design automation systems from a desk. They work alongside the teams building, integrating and commissioning the machine - from concept through completion.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Work independently on larger or high complexity projects and/or multiple smaller projects.
  • Training of new and/or less senior engineers.
  • Set technical direction for multiple engineers on portions of larger or more complex projects.
  • Peer Review of other engineers' work for accuracy and thoroughness.
  • Development of overall machine Controls Architecture
  • Enclosures: Standalone, Remote, Local
  • I/O: In-cabinet, on-machine
  • Network selection & distribution: Ethernet, IOLink, Hardwired
  • Cable/Wiring Routing: Ladder Track, Wireway
  • Review customer requirements, PMD proposal, PMD cost estimate, and Federal, State, & Local requirements.
  • Attend Mechanical Design Reviews to understand machine functionality, suggest concepts & componentry to meet controls & safety requirements, and subsequently incorporate associated Controls Hardware design elements into the Controls Hardware design.
  • Translate device list provided by Mechanical Engineering into Controls Hardware design elements.
  • Utilize AutoCad Electrical for drafting.
  • Use provided symbols & circuits.
  • Develop new symbols & circuits as necessary.
  • Controls Hardware Design
  • AC Power schematics
  • DC Power schematics
  • Safety schematics
  • Servo/Stepper schematics
  • Industrial Network schematics
  • Device schematics
  • Testers, Transducers, Laser Markers, Welders, Robots, etc.
  • I/O schematics
  • Control Enclosure layouts
  • Control Panel layouts
  • Fluid Power Supply schematics
  • Fluid Power Control schematics
  • Bill of Materials
  • Interact with Controls Build personnel to answer questions.
  • Assist Controls Build Technicians, Controls Software Engineers, and Controls Engineers with electrical and fluid power debug.
  • Update design as required throughout the project life cycle.

OTHER DUTIES
  • Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
  • Observe safety procedures.
  • Any other task assigned by management within scope of position, federal and state regulations.

Requirements
EDUCATION
  • BS in EE, EET, Mechatronics, related engineering field; or demonstrated equivalent experience.

EXPERIENCE (10+ years):
  • AutoCad Electrical
  • NFP79, UL508a, CE, CSA standards
  • Power calculations (AC 3phase, AC 1phase, DC 5-90V, Transformers)
  • Enclosure Heat calculations
  • SCCR calculations
  • Fluid Power flow calculations
  • SISTEMA safety calculations
  • Technical Supervision (5+ years)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
  • Effective verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures.
  • Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry and to calculate scaling factors, proportions, percentages, rates, and ratios.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Organized
  • Detail oriented
  • Ability to work independently, collaborate on a team, or direct others
  • Ability to take direction
  • Creative/Innovative
  • Time management skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and smell.
  • Occasionally required to stand, walk, push, pull, lift, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
  • Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Work environment is primarily performed indoors; partially around moving mechanical parts at a moderate noise level.
  • Wear safety equipment, including proper PPE.

Salary Description
$125,000 - $140,000

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