ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California

Coherent

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

... R&D-level and mass-production-level. * Manufacturing Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, ... Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, capable of managing complex projects and diverse ...

Coherent Corp.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

... R&D-level and mass-production-level. * Manufacturing Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, ... Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, capable of managing complex projects and diverse ...

II-VI Incorporated

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Fremont, CA

$123K - $163K/yr

... R&D-level and mass-production-level. * Manufacturing Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, ... Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, capable of managing complex projects and diverse ...

Planted

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

About The Role As an integral part of the R+D team you will design machines, robots, and structures ... Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar * Experience in industry in structural ...

Gotion, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer - EV

Fremont, CA

Manage release of mechanical design - Work with CAD designer for the release of CAD models and ... Review DVP&R and work with the test and validation team to validate the mechanical design of the ...

Planted Solar

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

About The Role As an integral part of the R+D team you will design machines, robots, and structures ... Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar * Experience in industry in structural ...

KLA Corporation

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of ...

KLA Corporation

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of ...

KLA Corporation

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of ...

KLA Corporation

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of ...

Orbotech

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of ...

Orbotech

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of ...

R D Olson Construction

Payroll Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

Payroll Manager R.D. Olson Construction Commercial General Contractor - Hospitality & Multifamily Location: Irvine, CA (On-site) Position Summary We are seeking a hands-on Payroll Manager with direct ...

Joby Aviation

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Santa Cruz, CA

$132K - $177K/yr

... manage and learn new skills. Forward thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced ... S./Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline * Experience with Dassault ...

Joby Aviation

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Concord, CA · On-site

$132K - $177K/yr

... manage and learn new skills. Forward thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced ... S./Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline * Experience with Dassault ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsR&D Mechanical Engineer JobsManager R&D Mechanical Engineer JobsManager R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in California

Manager R D Mechanical Engineer information

What does a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer do?

A Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer leads teams in designing, developing, and improving mechanical products or systems, often focused on innovation and new technology. They oversee research projects, manage engineering staff, and coordinate cross-functional collaboration to turn ideas into viable prototypes or products. Their responsibilities also include budget planning, project timelines, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. This role requires both technical expertise in mechanical engineering and strong leadership skills.

What are some of the main challenges faced by a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer, and how can candidates prepare to address them?

As a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer, one of the primary challenges is balancing hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, such as guiding multidisciplinary teams and managing project timelines. You will often need to foster innovation while ensuring projects adhere to budget constraints and regulatory standards. Additionally, staying updated on emerging technologies and integrating them into ongoing research can be demanding. Candidates can prepare by developing strong project management skills, cultivating effective communication strategies, and remaining adaptable to evolving technical environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer, and why are they important?

A Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer requires a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and project management tools, as well as certifications like PMP, are often essential. Strong leadership, effective communication, and strategic thinking distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for leading teams, driving innovation, and delivering successful product development projects in a competitive engineering environment.

What is the difference between Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectManager R&D Mechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; often requires experience in R&DBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeads R&D projects, manages teams, collaborates with cross-functional departmentsDesigns, develops, tests mechanical systems, works under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in R&D departments across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive industriesCommon in manufacturing, product design, and engineering firms

The main difference is that a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer oversees R&D projects and manages teams, while a Mechanical Engineer focuses on designing and developing mechanical systems. The manager role involves leadership and strategic planning, whereas the engineer role emphasizes technical execution.

What are the most commonly searched types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in California? For Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Manager R D Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.
Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Coherent

Fremont, CA • On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Development Engineering Leadership: Oversee the entire mechanical engineering design and integration effort on the test, assembly, characterization equipment and related components for high-power CW lasers, high speed PD, and/or co-packaged optics at both R&D-level and mass-production-level.
  • Manufacturing Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, manufacturing teams and Fremont product engineering and logistic team to address needs and optimize performance.
  • Cross-Functional Teamwork: Collaborate with Fremont Product Engineers, Design, Planning, Logistic team to ensure good quality product on time delivery on schedule

Education & Experience

  • A Master's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or related field.

  • At minimum 5 years of industrial experience in engineering development, preferably with a focus on automated semiconductor production or test/measurement/inspection equipment.  Direct hands-on experience in semiconductor laser chip or module test instrumentation and system design is highly desired. 

    Skills & Other Requirements

  • Strong background and experience in 3D design software such as SolidWorks.
  • Creative and user-friendly approach to mechanical designs to improve production efficiency.
  • Solid experience in automated test and measurement equipment, machine vision systems, motion systems and robotics, pneumatics, electronics, optics (free-space and fiber optics), thermal management, and automated system instrumentation.   
  • Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, capable of managing complex projects and diverse teams.
  • Solid problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to addressing and preempting issues.

  • Excellent communication skills, essential for effective teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Working Conditions

  • This role will be based on-site in Fremont, CA. 
  • Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary.

Physical Requirements

  • Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or in meetings.
  • Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
  • Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.

  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Safety Requirements

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

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

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

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work


 

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.


 

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.


 

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.

Apply