1

Graduate Engineering Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA (NOW HIRING)

Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD Experience: College science lab and engineering project experience. Skills & Other Requirements * High organization skills, motivation, good ...

Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD Experience: College science lab and engineering project experience. Skills & Other Requirements * High organization skills, motivation, good ...

Optical Design Staff Engineer

Saxonburg, PA ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD * College science lab and engineering project experience, 5 years product design and applications experience. * High organization skills ...

New

Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD * College science lab and engineering project experience, 5 years product design and applications experience. * High organization skills ...

Every successful engineering career needs a solid foundation, and as an Engineering Aide in the ... High school graduate or equivalent * 17 years of age or older PAY AND BENEFITS From the day you ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Graduate Engineering information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$12

$30

$55

How much do graduate engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate engineering in Pittsburgh, PA is $30.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.62 and $36.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate engineer?

A graduate engineer is someone who has recently completed an engineering degree, typically a bachelor's or master's, and is starting their professional career in the engineering field. They usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers while gaining practical experience and developing their technical and professional skills. Graduate engineers often participate in structured graduate programs, which may include rotations through different departments or projects. These roles are designed to help them transition from academic study to full professional responsibility.

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

To thrive as a Graduate Engineer, you typically need a degree in engineering, strong analytical abilities, and a solid grasp of engineering principles. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks, as well as any relevant certifications, is highly beneficial. Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills help set you apart in collaborative and fast-paced project environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering innovative solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.

What types of projects can a graduate engineer expect to work on during their first year?

As a Graduate Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of projects that may include supporting senior engineers with design, analysis, testing, or implementation tasks. Early in your career, you might participate in rotations across different departments or disciplines, allowing you to gain exposure to multiple areas such as project management, field work, or research and development. Typically, you'll work as part of a collaborative team, contributing to both short-term assignments and longer-term projects while receiving mentorship and feedback. This hands-on experience is designed to help you build technical skills, understand organizational processes, and identify your preferred career path within engineering.

What is the difference between Graduate Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectGraduate EngineeringMechanical Engineering
QualificationsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related fieldRequires a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, often with licensure options
Work EnvironmentEntry-level roles in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and technologyDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industries like automotive, aerospace, and energy
Employer UsageEmployers hire graduate engineers for training and development programsEmployers seek mechanical engineers for product design, testing, and maintenance

Graduate Engineering is an entry-level role for those with an engineering degree, often across multiple disciplines, while Mechanical Engineering is a specialized field focusing on designing and manufacturing mechanical systems. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in focus and career paths.

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Engineering jobs in Pittsburgh, PA?

For Graduate Engineering jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Engineering jobs in Pittsburgh, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Engineering jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:

What cities near Pittsburgh, PA are hiring for Graduate Engineering jobs?

Cities near Pittsburgh, PA with the most Graduate Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Engineering job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,709 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Laser Processing Engineer

II-VI Incorporated

Saxonburg, PA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop and run laser cut strategies, optimizing for cut quality and material removal rate

  • Create a preventative maintenance schedule for laser processing systems and address system faults and issues as they arise

  • Conduct metrology on sample cuts and verify conformance with product drawings


Job description

Job Summary

As a Laser Processing Engineer, you will play a crucial role in our R&D department. Your primary responsibility will be to design and optimize laser machining processes for high-end thermal management components, ensuring efficient and effective solutions. This role is ideal for a recent graduate with a technical degree, offering an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to innovative projects.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Develop and run laser cut strategies, optimizing for cut quality and material removal rate
  • Create a preventative maintenance schedule for laser processing systems and address system faults and issues as they arise.ย 
  • Conduct metrology on sample cuts and verify conformance with product drawings
  • Conduct thermal testing on prototype pieces, including but not limited to thermal test vehicle (TTV) testing, flow tests, pressure tests, etc.ย 
  • Align and calibrate laser optical system
  • Calibrate and maintain laser galvo system
  • Work with multi-disciplinary team to guide design and simulation optimization loops for channel geometry and features.ย 

Education & Experience

Education:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  4 year Science or Engineering Degree, BS minimum requirement.

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD

ย Experience:ย ย ย ย ย  College science lab and engineering project experience. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 

Skills & Other Requirements

  • High organization skills, motivation, good inter-personal skills for interfacing with customers and other departments.

  • Good analytical skills for problem solving, good technical writing skills, and some computer programming skills.

  • Strong physics understanding, therefore, able to do theoretical analysis, both optical and electrical.ย 

  • Concise report writing is also required to aid in communicating complex optical issues.

  • Strong data analysis and reporting skills

  • Automation and scripting experience preferredย 

  • Laser processing/material removal experience preferred but not required

Working Conditions

Office, general laboratory, high power laser operation

Physical Requirements

Office and general laboratory.ย 

Good laser safety and electrical safety practices are essential.

  • Standing (hours per day): 2-3 hours
  • Lifting (lbs.): up to 20 lbs solo and 50 lbs in a team lift
  • Pushing/Pulling (lbs.): none
  • Sitting (hours per day): 5-6 hours

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and COHERENT Corporate EHS standards.

Good laser and electrical safety practices are essential.ย 

Quality & Environmental Responsibilities

Responsible for all operations of optical design group which includes work distribution,ย 

organization, documentation, software selection, training, risk assessment design quality for entire group.ย 

  • Confidential Information:ย ย ย  Often involved with proprietary information belonging to Coherent and its customers.

  • Involved with assessing technical feasibility towards setting strategic direction of IR Engineering and NPI activities.

    Contacts with Others:ย ย ย ย ย  Contact with outside customers, by traveling overseas and domestically and by phone and written communications, regarding optical design and electro-optic design and support during the quotation, ordering, and post order support stages.ย 

Extensive interfacing with the sales department during the quotation of special optics and electro-optics.ย 

Strong interfacing with manufacturing and QA departments to solve design and manufacturing issues.

Support documentation and filing of Coherent Patents and Trade Secrets.

Training and mentoring other Coherent employees.

Transfer of new products manufacturing and testing from prototype to production.

Errors:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  Errors may result in manufacturing costs, scrapped parts and poor delivery to our customers. Technical reputation of Coherent may be jeopardized by errors made in this role.ย 

Engineer must possess ability for self monitoring and error checking so that errors are kept to a minimum.ย 

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcomeย 

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • Strong knowledge of laser principles and applications, preferably with an understanding of mechanical components.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
  • Proficiency in using relevant software for laser process simulation and design.
  • Good communication and collaboration skills for effective teamwork.
  • Ability to work independently and manage projects with minimal supervision.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and industry trends.
  • Basic understanding of manufacturing processes and quality control.
  • Knowledge of thermal management principles is an asset.
  • No prior experience is required, as this is an entry-level position.
  • Develop and implement laser machining processes for thermal management components.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand product requirements and design specifications.
  • Optimize laser parameters and machining strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Conduct experiments and analyze data to improve process efficiency and quality.
  • Document and maintain records of process development and optimization activities.
  • Stay updated with the latest advancements in laser technology and its applications.
  • Support the manufacturing team in implementing and troubleshooting laser processes.
  • Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulations during laser processing.
  • Provide technical support and training to other team members as needed.