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Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad Jobs in Portland, OR

Engineer II

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$72 - $95/hr

JR105744Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful ... Perform process coordination between architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and all ...

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... Perform process coordination between architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and all ...

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... Perform coordination between architectural, structural, mechanical, and plumbing processes and all ...

Senior Electrical Estimator

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$112K - $147K/yr

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... Evaluate areas for potential value engineering cost savings. * Provide leadership to personnel ...

Senior Electrical Estimator

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$107K - $141K/yr

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... Evaluate areas for potential value engineering cost savings. * Provide leadership to personnel ...

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or other ...

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Showing results 1-20

Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad information

See Portland, OR salary details

$48.3K

$109.1K

$176.6K

How much do mechanical engineer recent grad jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical engineer recent grad in Portland, OR is $109,103.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,400.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a mechanical engineer recent grad do?

A Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad assists in designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems or products. They typically work on tasks such as creating technical drawings, running simulations, conducting experiments, and supporting senior engineers in project work. Recent grads often work in industries like automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, or energy, gaining hands-on experience and building their engineering skills. They also collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, learn industry standards, and may help troubleshoot mechanical problems. This role serves as a foundation for professional growth and prepares them for more advanced engineering responsibilities.

What types of projects can a recent graduate in mechanical engineering expect to work on during their first year?

As a recent graduate, you can expect to be involved in a variety of entry-level projects such as assisting with product design, performing basic calculations and simulations, supporting prototype development, and preparing technical documentation. You'll often collaborate with senior engineers and cross-functional teams—including manufacturing, quality assurance, and procurement—to gain exposure to different aspects of the engineering process. This hands-on experience is designed to build your technical skills, familiarize you with industry standards, and prepare you for more complex responsibilities as you advance.

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

To thrive as a Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, proficiency in mathematics, and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD, and experience with simulation tools like ANSYS, are typically required, along with knowledge of industry standards. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help distinguish you in collaborative and fast-paced environments. These skills and qualities are vital to successfully design, analyze, and implement engineering solutions that meet project and industry requirements.

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectMechanical Engineer Recent GradMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, internship experienceBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, some design coursework
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, manufacturing or R&D settingsDesign-focused tasks, CAD software, product development teams
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, aerospace, automotive, energy sectorsProduct design firms, engineering consultancies, industrial equipment

The main difference between a Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad and a Mechanical Design Engineer lies in their experience and focus. Recent grads are just starting their careers with foundational skills, while Mechanical Design Engineers typically have some experience in design processes and software. Both roles often overlap in industry and credentials, but the Design Engineer role emphasizes design-specific tasks and software proficiency.

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Mechanical Engineer Recent Grad job openings:

$71K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


U.S. Department Of Energy rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

145th of 849 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position is part of the Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy, Transmission Services, Transmission Student Development.
s a Electronics Engineer (Recent Grad), you will serve as an mechanical engineer performing assignments of limited scope and difficulty which are screened to eliminate difficult or unusual problems.Qualifications:To be eligible for the Recent Graduate program you must be a:
  • Recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. -OR -
  • Student who within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement will meet the education requirements and will graduate with a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. A student may not be appointed to a position until they have graduated. -OR-
  • Preference eligible veteran who was precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion."

BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
-OR-
B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR-
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. -OR-
  3. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.-OR-
  4. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdfIn addition to the meeting the basic requirement, a qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience.
GS-07: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05): Specialized experience for this position is defined as applying practical knowledge of standard electrical engineering concepts, principles, methods, and practices (1) to follow an operation through a series of related detailed steps or processes in carrying out work assignments.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

  • One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor's degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education.
GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07): Specialized experience for this position is defined as applying practical knowledge of standard electrical engineering concepts, principles, methods, and practices (1) to follow an operation through a series of related detailed steps or processes in carrying out work assignments, and (2) to recognize and identify discrepancies and deviations in results.
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:
  • Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or master's, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited).
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education:This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts.
Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.
Must submit transcripts with your application for proof of education and degree conferred date.
DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents.
Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.
Employment Type: OTHER

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