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Graduate Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

K2 Space

Satellite Mechanical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline * Experience ... graduate research, and extracurricular experience is applicable) Nice to Have * Experience ...

K2 Space

Satellite Mechanical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline * Experience ... graduate research, and extracurricular experience is applicable) Nice to Have * Experience ...

L3HHCM20

$102K - $189K/yr

Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior mechanical engineering experience. In lieu of a ... degree, minimum of 10 years of prior mechanical engineering experience. Preferred Additional Skills:

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All JobsGraduate Mechanical Engineer JobsGraduate Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California

Graduate Mechanical Engineer information

See California salary details

$44.9K

$101.5K

$164.3K

How much do graduate mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate mechanical engineer in California is $101,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $124,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a graduate mechanical engineer do?

A Graduate Mechanical Engineer is an entry-level professional who applies principles of mechanical engineering to design, analyze, and improve mechanical systems. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers, assisting with tasks such as drafting technical drawings, modeling prototypes, conducting tests, and solving engineering problems. Their responsibilities may also include collaborating with other departments, preparing reports, and learning industry standards. This role provides valuable hands-on experience and training for recent graduates starting their engineering careers.

What are some typical projects or tasks a graduate mechanical engineer can expect in their first year?

As a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, you will likely be involved in a variety of projects ranging from assisting in the design and analysis of mechanical components to preparing technical documentation and performing simulations. You may work closely with senior engineers on tasks such as creating 3D models, running tests on prototypes, and supporting product development meetings. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as manufacturing and quality assurance, is common, helping you gain a holistic understanding of the product lifecycle. This hands-on exposure is designed to build your technical skills and prepare you for increased responsibilities as you progress in your career.

What are jobs for a recent mechanical engineer graduate?

As a recent mechanical engineer graduate, you can find entry-level jobs in your field in a variety of positions that focus on helping design and develop the technical specifications for various products. In one of these roles, you get more hands-on experience than you do as a student. You help senior engineers on a project and utilize math and measuring skills to help design new machines. Some details of this job vary by employer. For example, some employers may have you focus on repairing existing devices to learn more about the ins and outs of the product they create, while others may have you focus on assisting senior-level engineers.

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

To thrive as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), finite element analysis tools, and industry standards is typically required. Strong teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability help you collaborate effectively and learn quickly in dynamic environments. These skills ensure you can contribute to innovative design solutions, meet project requirements, and advance in your engineering career.

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

AspectGraduate Mechanical EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; entry-levelBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentInternships, training programs, entry-level projectsDesign offices, engineering teams, project-based work
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in projects, learning design processes, basic analysisCreating and analyzing mechanical designs, CAD modeling, prototyping

While both roles require a background in mechanical engineering, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer is typically an entry-level position focused on learning and supporting projects. A Mechanical Design Engineer, on the other hand, is more specialized in designing and analyzing mechanical components and systems, often requiring some prior experience or advanced skills. Both roles are essential in the engineering industry, with the design engineer position generally involving more technical responsibility.

More about Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in California?

For Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Graduate Mechanical Engineer job openings:

Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Mechanical Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 82% In-person, 12% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,531 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

Associate Mechanical Engineer (Intern / Co-Op)

Mesh Optical Technologies

Gardena, CA • On-site

$26 - $38/hr

Full-time, Internship

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

ASSOCIATE MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be at the center of advanced technologies in the coming century. Making advanced technology ubiquitous means building at scale, and that's exactly what we're doing at Mesh.
Our interns and co-ops are embedded in the engineering team and own real work-not side projects. We are seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to contribute directly to the design and build of both our optical interconnect product and the factory that produces it.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Design and build development test platforms that allow our team to characterize various thermal, optical, and electrical aspects of our optical interconnect prototypes
  • Work with your mentor to identify improvements to our production process, then own rapid-prototype hardware that goes from CAD to the cleanroom in days
  • Support your designs with finite element analysis, thermal simulations, and detailed drawings with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
  • Work hands-on and alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers as we develop our high-volume optical manufacturing facility

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Pursuing or recently completed a BS or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related) with a GPA of 3.5 or greater
  • Portfolio of hands-on projects-Formula SAE, SolarCar, Robotics, CubeSats, or other club/personal builds
  • Proficient with modern CAD software and version control
  • Strong analytical mindset, first-principles problem solving, and clear communication

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Your projects demonstrate not just mechanical engineering aptitude but also multidisciplinary knowledge of electrical engineering and software engineering concepts

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Associate Mechanical Engineer: $26.00 - $38.00/per hour
Base salary is determined based your academic year. In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes a flexible monthly housing and transportation stipend during your time in Los Angeles.

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