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Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Richmond, VA (Onsite) Job Type: Contract We are currently seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team at the Richmond, VA ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA ยท On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location Santa Clara, CA ((Onsite 5 days/week) Contract Mandatory Areas Must Have Skills Skill 1 Mechanical Design Engineer with experience in hardware/mechanism design and ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Wyoming, MN ยท On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Wyoming, MN (Onsite) Job Summary: We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with experience in designing welded structures, chassis, and sheet metal components ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Fairview, TN ยท On-site

$65K - $88K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Type: Full-Time Location: On-Site Reporting: Position Reports to the Director of Engineering We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to join our highly ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Fairview, TN

$65K - $88K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Type: Full-Time Location: On-Site Reporting: Position Reports to the Director of Engineering We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to join our highly ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Savannah, GA ยท On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Savannah, GA (Onsite) Job Summary Great Dane Trailers is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with strong experience in truck and trailer product development. The ideal ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rock Island, IL ยท On-site

$72K - $97K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Rock Island, IL Job Summary We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with experience designing heavy industrial equipment using Pro/E Creo. The ideal candidate ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA ยท On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Richmond, VA Contract - C2C We are currently seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team at the Richmond, VA site. This is an ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Henrico, VA ยท On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Henrico, VA (Onsite) Job Summary Seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to develop innovative and cost-effective telecom infrastructure products from prototype ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Georgetown, KY ยท On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer This role focuses on designing custom welding equipment, fixtures, tooling, and automotive assembly equipment using SolidWorks and other 3D parametric design tools. The ...

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Mechanical Design Engineer

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$50 - $80/hr

2 MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER OPENING Description: Kronos has a long history of avionics engineering working with some of the largest aircraft integrators in the world. We always provide our partners ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Novi, MI ยท Hybrid

$71K - $97K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer The Mechanical Design Engineer will design and develop custom material handling and conveyor systems for automotive manufacturing facilities. In this role, you will play a ...

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Mechanical Design Engineer

Milwaukee, WI ยท On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer The mechanical design engineer is responsible for creating and developing innovative mechanical design, drawing development, product validation, and quality-driven ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer information

See salary details

$45.5K

$91.6K

$136.5K

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

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance mechanical design engineer in the United States is $91,578.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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 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 cities are hiring for Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,578 per year, or $44 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Hirekeyz Inc

Richmond, VA โ€ข On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Richmond, VA (Onsite)

Job Type: Contract


Job Description:
We are currently seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team at the Richmond, VA site. This is an immediate requirement to support design and engineering activities, specifically for Low Voltage (LV) Switchgear Systems. The ideal candidate will have experience in mechanical design of electrical enclosures, and expertise in Autodesk Inventor and Vault. Familiarity with relevant industry standards and a strong understanding of design release processes are crucial for success in this role.
Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in mechanical design, preferably in electrical equipment or switchgear industry.
  • Strong proficiency in Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Vault.
  • Proven experience in LV switchgear design, panel layout, and busbar layout.
  • Good understanding of UL standards, specifically UL891 and UL1558.
  • Familiarity with engineering design review and design release processes.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills