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Graduate Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Healthcare

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$92K - $121K/yr

Whether you're an experienced professional or a new graduate, you'll have the chance to collaborate ... Responsibilities The Senior Mechanical Engineer would be expected to provide the following to ...

Whether you're an experienced professional or a new graduate, you'll have the chance to collaborate ... The Senior Mechanical Engineer would be expected to provide the following to others on the design ...

Fire Protection Engineer Graduate

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$80K - $108K/yr

A Fire Protection Engineer Graduate will perform fire protection engineering services on multi ... Mechanical Engineering Preferred Skills: * Working familiarity with design/production and fire ...

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Graduate Mechanical Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$44.2K

$100K

$161.9K

How much do graduate mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate mechanical engineer in Raleigh, NC is $100,006.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,200.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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.

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 the most commonly searched types of Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Graduate Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Graduate Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Graduate Mechanical Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Internship, 78% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,006 per year, or $48.1 per hour.
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Thermal Infrastructure

Principal Mechanical Engineer - Thermal Infrastructure

Dewberry

Raleigh, NC

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Dewberry rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.

Dewberry has a large team of Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Structural (MEPS) engineers focused on design services for nationwide clients in specialized facility types and specialized design services. Our experience includes high performance buildings, net zero energy design, renewable energy technologies, microgrid and energy storage system design, energy and climate resilience, and services related to decarbonization/electrification of the built environment.  Our MEPS group contains subject matter experts in leadership roles in international professional organizations such as ASHRAE.  Our repeat clients include universities, and state, local, and federal government agencies, and large global industrial manufacturers, among others. Our MEPS service line is ranked #30 Nationally among MEP Giants.

Because our backlog continues to grow, we are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Raleigh, NC and Orlando, FL office's existing Thermal Infrastructure department. As a principal mechanical engineer, you will be responsible for the design of thermal infrastructure systems. You will collaborate with a team of engineers on a variety of thermal infrastructure projects. In addition to collaborating with mechanical engineers, you will team with structural, civil, electrical, and other disciplines to provide full-range services to our clients.

 


Provide high-level direction to senior mechanical engineering staff to allow the Business Unit/Office to effectively operate and successfully complete thermal infrastructure projects:

  • Office Operations: Supervise all mechanical discipline managers within an office or business unit for successful intra-office operations, by actively helping those department managers that report to you smoothly run their departments.
  • Service Line Operations: Assist the Chief Engineer leading MEPS Service Line’s mechanical community of practice to ensure successful inter-office operations, by actively participating in the community of practice events and performing delegated tasks from the Chief Engineer.
  • Quality Management: Ensure mechanical discipline managers are consistently applying and complying with corporate quality management processes and procedures.
  • Technical Management: Ensure mechanical discipline managers provide timely and adequate guidance and quality oversight, including code review, of all project work involving electrical engineering.
  • Staff Development Oversight: Ensure mechanical discipline managers are providing adequate technical training and development of staff by providing guidance and mentoring of managers.
  • Standards Development Oversight: Ensure mechanical discipline managers are establishing and improving standards, practices, guidelines, and specifications. Principal shall lead the development of their office mechanical standards and coordinate those standards through the Chief Engineer across offices.
  • Engineer of Record on select projects as needed.
  • Provide 'on-the-spot' advice and decisions - technical and cost estimates. Principal engineer is the top mechanical technical leader in an office unless mechanical issues involves other offices in the service line then the Chief Engineer presides.
  • Coordinates with client/project managers and department managers within an office to resolve mechanical engineering conflicts.
  • Office Organizational Management: Assist Office/Business Unit Manager to ensure successful office operations, including advice on staff organizational structure and office procedures.

Experience in the design of institutional, educational, healthcare, laboratory and military projects is desired. The candidate should have a proven history of solid design work, meeting project deadlines and budgets, and working well in a team environment.

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
  • Professional Engineer’s license. Existing licensure in NC and/or VA is preferred.
  • 25+ years of technical experience in the design of thermal distribution systems, central utility plants, and/or building mechanical systems.
  • Experience in AutoCAD, Civil3D, and/or drafting is a plus.
  • Experience in pipe stress modeling is a plus.
  • Self-motivated and well organized.
  • Good verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

Do not meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for our employees. So, if you are excited about this role, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

 

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters:  Dewberry only compensates job placement recruiters that have a valid Dewberry-approved written agreement in place for recruiting services. Dewberry does not compensate third party recruiters for unsolicited job placement candidate information.

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