1

Gear Design Engineer Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in engineering * 5+ years of relevant experience * Experienced in the NVH ... Understanding of how gear design and the physical properties of gears can influence NVH performance

Bachelor's degree in engineering * 5+ years of relevant experience * Experienced in the NVH ... Understanding of how gear design and the physical properties of gears can influence NVH performance

Bachelor's degree in engineering * 5+ years of relevant experience * Experienced in the NVH ... Understanding of how gear design and the physical properties of gears can influence NVH performance

Design and Release Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$38 - $43.50/hr

Collaborate with the engineering team to develop and refine gear reducer components and sub ... Develop Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) documents. Evaluate designs for potential ...

Job Title: Design & Release Engineer Job Location: Auburn Hills, MI Job Duration: 3 months ... Calibrating BVA gear changes (e.g., stable foot, throttle release, pedal depression, Lock-up states ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Gear Design Engineer information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$27.2K

$93.3K

$152.1K

How much do gear design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for gear design engineer in Detroit, MI is $93,296.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,606.00 and $112,574.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a gear design engineer do?

A Gear Design Engineer is responsible for developing and designing geared assemblies for various industrial purposes, sometimes including military applications. Gear Design Engineers analyze gear and spline designs to meet performance requirements, as well as other features that are essential to gearbox functionality, such as fluids, fasteners, bearings, and seals. Gear Design Engineers work to design, develop, and manufacture new and existing gear systems to help power vehicles and machines. They often meet customer specifications to create products designed precisely for clients' needs. Gear Design Engineers must be able to work both collaboratively and individually in order to complete their tasks.

What does a gear design engineer do?

A Gear Design Engineer specializes in designing gears and gear systems used in various machines and mechanical devices. Their responsibilities include selecting appropriate materials, calculating gear sizes and ratios, creating technical drawings, and ensuring the gears meet performance and safety standards. They often use computer-aided design (CAD) software and work closely with manufacturing and testing teams to bring their designs to production. Gear Design Engineers play a critical role in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery.

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

To thrive as a Gear Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, gear geometry, and materials science, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in CAD software (such as SolidWorks or CATIA), gear analysis tools, and familiarity with industry standards like AGMA is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the development of reliable, efficient gear systems that meet technical requirements and industry standards.

What are some common challenges gear design engineers face when working on new projects?

Gear Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing performance requirements with manufacturing constraints, ensuring proper gear meshing to minimize noise and vibration, and meeting tight project deadlines. Collaboration with manufacturing, quality assurance, and testing teams is essential to address issues like material selection and tolerance control. Staying updated with the latest design software and industry standards also helps engineers deliver innovative and reliable gear solutions.

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

AspectGear Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning gears and gear systemsDesigning various mechanical components and systems
Required SkillsGear mechanics, CAD, materialsBroad mechanical engineering skills, CAD, materials
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, automotive, aerospaceMultiple industries including manufacturing, robotics, automotive
CertificationsOptional specialized certifications in gear designProfessional Engineer (PE) license often beneficial

While both roles involve mechanical design and CAD skills, Gear Design Engineers specialize in gear systems, whereas Mechanical Design Engineers work on a broader range of mechanical components across various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Gear Design Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI?

The most popular types of Gear Design Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI are:

What cities near Detroit, MI are hiring for Gear Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Detroit, MI with the most Gear Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Gear Design Engineer job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,296 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Plymouth, MI • On-site

GLOBAL CNC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Machinery Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

$72K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Description

Global CNC Industries is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our dynamic team. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will play a crucial role in developing new toolholder designs, updating existing product lines, and streamlining engineering operations to support our precision CNC lathe toolholder manufacturing.

  • New Product Development
    Design new toolholders and tooling systems from concept through production, including VDI, BMT, PSC/Capto, and driven/live toolholder systems. Develop 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings that meet functional and manufacturability requirements.
  • Design Updates and Standardization
    Review and update legacy designs to improve performance, reduce cost, and standardize across product families. Identify opportunities to simplify designs and reduce part variation.
  • Gear and Transmission Design
    Apply gear and transmission design principles to driven and live tooling systems, including gear selection, sizing, and layout for optimal torque transmission, speed range, and durability.
  • Design for Manufacturability
    Work closely with production and programming teams to ensure new and revised designs are optimized for CNC machining, assembly, and repeatable quality on the shop floor.
  • Tolerance and Fit Analysis
    Perform tolerance stack up analysis, GD&T application, and fit/function calculations to ensure proper interchangeability and performance of toolholder components.
  • Prototyping and Testing
    Develop and evaluate prototypes, coordinate first article inspection, and support testing to validate design intent before release to production.
  • Engineering Documentation
    Maintain accurate BOMs, drawings, and engineering change documentation within Business Central and related systems.
  • Collaboration and Communication
    Work closely with manufacturing engineers, production management, and outside vendors to ensure designs translate smoothly into production. Support competitive analysis and reverse engineering efforts as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
  • Proven experience in mechanical design, preferably in CNC tooling, machine tool accessories, or precision manufacturing.
  • Experience with gear and transmission design is a strong plus, including gear selection, sizing, and torque/speed calculations.
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD software (Autodesk Inventor preferred) and strong GD&T knowledge.
  • Strong understanding of machining processes and design for manufacturability principles
  • Experience with tolerance stack up analysis and fit/function calculations.
  • Familiarity with ERP/PLM systems for BOM and drawing management is a plus.
  • Excellent problem solving skills and a demonstrated track record of successful design implementation.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team based setting.
  • Detail oriented, self motivated, and able to manage multiple design projects concurrently.

Join our team at Global CNC Industries and play a key role in shaping the next generation of precision toolholder products! Apply now and be part of an exciting journey of growth and success.