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Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer

Mossville, IL · On-site

$97K - $146K/yr

Design Engineer Mossville, IL Your Work Shapes the World Whether it be groundbreaking products ... We are the people who roll up our sleeves and do the work to build a better world. We don't just ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Middleton, WI · On-site

$78K - $105K/yr

If you have a Technical Bachelor's degree preferably in Mechanical Engineering with a passion for creating design solutions for new products, not afraid to roll up your sleeves and dig into the work ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Honey Brook, PA · On-site

$71K - $97K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for the mechanical design, sizing calculations, and ... Design custom mechanical equipment and machinery -- including paper-market roll, frame, and drive ...

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Mechanical Design Engineer

Reading, PA · On-site

$73K - $98K/yr

The Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for the mechanical design, sizing calculations, and ... Design custom mechanical equipment and machinery -- including paper-market roll, frame, and drive ...

Product Design Engineer

Falconer, NY · On-site

$120K - $144K/yr

Product Design Engineer Location: Falconer, Ny Salary Range: $ 77,000.00 to $ 87,000.00 About SKF ... SKF products keep vehicles rolling, power the machines that put food on your table, and even reach ...

Product Design Engineer

New York, NY

$141K - $169K/yr

Product Design Engineer Location: Falconer, Ny Salary Range: $ 77,000.00 to $ 87,000.00 About SKF ... SKF products keep vehicles rolling, power the machines that put food on your table, and even reach ...

Design Engineer II SIG SAUER, Inc . is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro ... Track product cost rolls against targets and implement design changes as necessary to meet plans.

Sr. Product Design Engineer

Novi, MI · On-site

$100K - $162K/yr

Title: Sr. Product Design Engineer Pioneer the next generation of innovation. Join us and you'll ... At Rolls-Royce, we are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel respected ...

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Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer information

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$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance roller coaster design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance roller coaster 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or structural engineering, strong mathematical skills, and experience with amusement ride design standards, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), simulation tools, and familiarity with safety certifications like ASTM F24 or EN13814 are critical. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication help engineers collaborate with clients and contractors while innovating unique ride experiences. These skills ensure that roller coaster designs are safe, feasible, and engaging, meeting both regulatory standards and client expectations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as aerospace, petroleum, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding advanced certifications, or managing large projects.

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

AspectFreelance Roller Coaster Design EngineerFreelance Mechanical Engineer
CredentialsSpecialized in amusement ride design, often with engineering or architecture backgroundEngineering degree, often in mechanical or related fields
Work EnvironmentTheme parks, amusement ride manufacturers, freelance projectsVarious industries including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace
Industry UsagePrimarily in entertainment and amusement industryBroad, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and entertainment

Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineers focus specifically on designing amusement rides, requiring specialized knowledge of safety standards and ride dynamics. Freelance Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working across multiple industries with general mechanical design skills. While both roles require engineering credentials, the roller coaster designer's expertise is tailored to entertainment projects, making their work more niche compared to the versatile freelance mechanical engineer.

How to get a job as a roller coaster engineer?

To become a roller coaster design engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil, or structural engineering is required, along with experience in CAD software and ride safety standards. Building a strong portfolio of design projects and gaining experience through internships or entry-level engineering roles can improve job prospects in this specialized field.

How much does a roller coaster design engineer make?

A freelance roller coaster design engineer's earnings vary based on experience, project complexity, and client. Typically, they charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150 or project-based fees, with some earning six-figure incomes for large, high-profile designs. Strong skills in engineering, CAD software, and safety standards are essential for competitive compensation.

What are some common challenges a Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer faces when collaborating with theme park clients?

Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning creative concepts with client budgets, meeting strict safety regulations, and adapting designs to fit unique site constraints. Effective communication is crucial, as you'll regularly collaborate with architects, project managers, and construction teams to ensure your designs are feasible and deliver the desired guest experience. Managing client expectations and timelines while balancing technical and creative demands is a key part of the role.

What does a Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer do?

A Freelance Roller Coaster Design Engineer is responsible for creating the concepts, layouts, and technical plans for roller coasters on a project-by-project basis, often working independently or with various amusement park clients. Their work includes designing safe and exciting ride experiences, performing structural calculations, coordinating with other engineers and architects, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. They may also use specialized software to simulate rides and collaborate during the construction phase. Freelancers in this field enjoy flexibility and the opportunity to work on a variety of unique projects around the world.

What engineers make $500,000?

In the field of freelance roller coaster design engineering, high earnings of $500,000 or more are typically achieved by experienced professionals with specialized skills, a strong portfolio, and a reputation in the industry. Such earnings often come from working on large, complex projects or consulting for major amusement parks, and may require advanced knowledge of structural engineering, CAD software, and safety standards.
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AE Defense Cold Section Design Engineer

Rolls-Royce

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Rolls-Royce rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 418 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description


Job Description

Job Title: AE Defense Cold Section Component Design Engineer

Working Pattern: Full-time

Working location: Indianapolis, IN

This AE 1107 / 3007 Defense Design role will lead and support the design, manufacture, development, and demonstration testing of cold section components and subsystems for the V22, MT7, MQ-25 and Global Hawk programs, including fan, compressor, and casing hardware. In this role, the candidate ensures that all sub-system definitions meet all program requirements and technical requirements. The technical accountability will map to the AE Defense Chief Engineer. The Design Engineer is also responsible for the creation of design definitions that meet system requirements and product attributes. The Design Engineer will exhibit strong technical knowledge in mechanical design methodologies and have an understanding of cross-discipline engineering concepts which include but are not limited to manufacturing engineering, cost engineering, and product definition.

Why Rolls-Royce?

Rolls-Royce is one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. We design, build and service systems that provide critical power to customers where safety and reliability are paramount.

We are proud to be a force for progress, powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

We want to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that has shaped our history continues into our future and we need people like you to come and join us on this journey.

Rolls-Royce has been recognized as the top employer in the Engineering & Manufacturing category on the prestigious Forbes Top Employers for Engineers list for 2025. This ranking highlights our commitment to innovation, employee development, and fostering a collaborative environment where engineers can thrive.

At Rolls-Royce, we are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work. We foster a welcoming and innovative work environment that invests in you, giving you access to an incredible breadth and depth of opportunities where you can grow your career and make a difference.

Rolls-Royce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristics.

What you will be doing:

  • Deliver design solutions for gas turbine component(s) and complex assemblies in consideration of safety, manufacturing capability, product physical and functional robustness. Design solutions will address component requirements such as Unit Cost, Lifecycle Cost, Weight, Maintainability, Repair.

  • Perform engineering activities that include the following: mechanical design, analysis, hand calculations, tolerance stacks, presenting technical data, authoring technical reports, creating and reviewing functional and physical interfaces, and generating analysis requirements for components.

  • Support creation of detailed component definition (drawings and/or model based definition) and support manufacturing to produce conforming hardware.

  • Participate in Root Cause and Corrective Action teams, provide input for sub-system and system level risks, and complete risk assessments for owned components.

  • Create component requirements documents for owned hardware and hardware design concepts and perform trade studies to optimize hardware

  • Provide limits for engine and rig testing and supporting testing including assessment of test results and tested hardware

Who we're looking for:

At Rolls-Royce we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form the behaviours that guide us and are an essential component of our assessment process. They are the fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.

Basic Requirements:

  • Bachelor's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 1+ years of design experience OR

  • Master's Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering OR

  • JD/PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

  • Experience using computer aided design tools such as Siemens NX

Preferred Requirements:

  • Experience in the design of gas turbine components, especially fans and/or compressors

  • Familiarity with gas turbine component and sub-system design, including materials, structural analysis, dynamics, and aerothermal methods

  • Familiarity with engine assembly and testing

  • Experience using finite element analysis tools (such as ANSYS)

  • Programming skills such as Visual Basic, Python, PERL, C++ and/or computational tools such as Matlab

  • An excellent command of the English language for both written and oral communications

  • Experience withGeometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and the creation of limit stacks

  • Experience with generic design processes as well as component specific design guidance

What we offer

We offer excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

Your needs are as unique as you are. Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home, or another remote location. It's a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement.As a minimum we're all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, on average three days per week.


Job Category
Mechanical Systems

Job Posting Date
12 Jun 2026; 00:06

Pay Range
$73,120 - $118,820-Annually


Location:

Indianapolis, IN


Benefits

Rolls-Royce provides a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that includes base pay and a discretionary bonus plan. Eligible employees may have the opportunity to enroll in other benefits, including health, dental, vision, disability, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance; a flexible spending account; a health savings account; a 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Time Off; certain paid holidays; paid parental and family care leave; tuition reimbursement; and a long-term incentive plan. The options available to an employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as date of hire, employment type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.


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