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Part Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Honor Plastics & Molding

Product Design Intern

Pomona, CA · On-site

$22 - $22.50/hr

Work with sales team to review customer 3D & 2D part files to assist product development and realization. * Manage new tooling programs including mold layout and detail design. * Work with DFM ...

ALKU

Principal Mechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA

The candidate should have an injection molding and molding part design background. EMC testing is not required for this role, but experience would be very beneficial to support the electrical ...

Archer

Tooling Design Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$114K - $142K/yr

Understanding of composite part design, material properties, allowables and testing. * Proficiency with solid modeling and surfacing in 3D CAD Software (NX preferred). * Proficiency with Geometric ...

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All JobsPart Design JobsPart Design Jobs in California

Part Design information

See California salary details

$13

$25

$40

How much do part design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for part design in California is $25.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $27.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Part Design vs Mechanical Drafter?

AspectPart DesignMechanical Drafter
Primary RoleCreating detailed 3D models and prototypes of individual partsPreparing technical drawings and schematics based on existing designs
Skills & CertificationsCAD software proficiency, engineering knowledge, certifications like SolidWorks or AutoCADDrafting skills, CAD proficiency, understanding of engineering standards
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, engineering departments, manufacturing firmsEngineering firms, manufacturing companies, construction sites
FocusDesign and development of parts from concept to detailed modelsCreating accurate technical drawings for manufacturing and assembly

Part Design involves developing detailed 3D models of individual components, focusing on design and engineering. Mechanical Drafters prepare technical drawings based on these designs, ensuring accurate documentation for manufacturing. While both roles require CAD skills and engineering knowledge, Part Designers focus on creating models, whereas Mechanical Drafters focus on producing detailed drawings for production.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in Part Design and how can they be addressed?

In Part Design, common challenges include balancing functionality with manufacturability, managing tight project timelines, and ensuring cross-team collaboration with manufacturing and quality assurance. Designers often need to iterate their models based on feedback from prototyping and testing, which requires adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. Building effective communication with engineers and production teams early in the process helps streamline revisions and reduces costly delays. Staying updated with the latest CAD tools and industry standards also contributes to overcoming these challenges.

What is the highest paid design job?

In design fields, user experience (UX) directors and creative directors tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially in large companies or tech industries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools and user research. Salary levels can vary based on location, industry, and individual expertise.

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

To thrive as a Part Designer, you need strong proficiency in mechanical design principles, CAD modeling, and a relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD, as well as knowledge of manufacturing processes and industry standards, is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with engineering teams and ensure design accuracy. These skills are crucial for creating manufacturable, high-quality parts that meet performance, safety, and cost requirements.

Is AI replacing designers?

AI is increasingly used in part design to automate repetitive tasks and generate initial concepts, but it does not fully replace human designers. Skilled designers are still essential for creative problem-solving, refining designs, and making aesthetic decisions that require human judgment. AI tools serve as aids to enhance productivity and support the design process rather than replace the need for professional expertise.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A part designer or similar specialized role in manufacturing or engineering can potentially earn $10,000 a month through experience, freelance work, or working for high-paying companies. Success often depends on skills, industry demand, and the ability to work independently or in niche markets, rather than formal education alone.

What is part design?

Part design refers to the process of creating and developing the specifications, geometry, and features of individual components used in products or systems. This often involves using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed 2D or 3D models, considering factors such as material selection, manufacturability, and assembly requirements. Effective part design helps ensure that components perform their intended functions, are cost-effective to produce, and fit together properly with other parts in the final product.

What is the highest paying career in design?

In design fields, roles such as industrial designers, user experience (UX) directors, and design managers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures with experience and advanced skills. Specialized roles that require technical expertise, leadership, and advanced software knowledge typically offer higher compensation.
What are popular job titles related to Part Design jobs in California? For Part Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Part Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Part Design jobs in California are:
Part Design jobs near you

Design Engineer (Semiconductor Machinery Applications)

Freeform

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

DESIGN ENGINEER (SEMICONDUCTOR MACHINERY APPLICATIONS)
Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.
Freeform is hiring a Design Engineer focused on semiconductor applications to sit at the intersection of advanced part design and additive manufacturing. This is a deeply technical engineering role responsible for rethinking how semiconductor machinery hardware is conceived, designed, and produced. Not just adapting existing parts for a new process, but fundamentally reimagining what's possible when legacy design constraints no longer apply. You will work hands-on with some of the most precise and demanding hardware in the industry, identifying where Freeform's platform unlocks performance regimes, architectures, and geometries that were previously impractical or impossible.
The ideal candidate is a strong mechanical engineer with a deep intuition for part design and an intimate understanding of semiconductor fabrication machinery and equipment. They understand semiconductor hardware at a component and systems level, can independently reason about manufacturability, materials, tolerances, and performance tradeoffs, and are excited by the creative challenge of designing parts from first principles. The core draw of this role is the engineering itself, though this person will also engage directly with some of the most sophisticated semiconductor engineering teams in the industry.
Responsibilities:
  • Drive part design and redesign across a broad range of semiconductor fabrication applications, including:
    • Wafer handling, robotic end-effectors, and vacuum-compatible armatures
    • Thermal management hardware and high-precision cold plates
    • Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chambers and internal components
    • Gas delivery manifolds and high-purity fluid systems
    • Lithography tool structural components and precision optics mounts
    • Pedestals and showerhead assemblies for deposition tools
  • Develop a deep understanding of component-level requirements, performance drivers, and system constraints within semiconductor fabrication equipment
  • Rethink part design from first principles, identifying where additive manufacturing enables new geometries, consolidated assemblies, improved performance, or reduced cost and lead time
  • Develop and evaluate design concepts with a strong command of materials, tolerances, thermal and structural behavior, and production considerations
  • Independently answer advanced technical questions related to design tradeoffs, process capabilities, qualification pathways, and production scalability
  • Work closely with internal engineering and operations teams to drive feasibility, refine concepts, and align on execution
  • Engage directly with customer engineering teams to understand application requirements, present design solutions, and build technical credibility
  • Identify and pursue new application spaces where Freeform's technology can deliver step-change improvements over conventional manufacturing
  • Provide field-informed feedback to shape Freeform's product, process, and technology roadmap

Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related technical discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in a hands-on engineering role within the semiconductor equipment or fabrication industry
  • Strong intuition for part design, design-for-manufacturing, and how component geometry relates to performance and producibility
  • Systems-level understanding of complex semiconductor fabrication hardware and how components function within larger assemblies

Nice to Have:
  • Experience designing or analyzing wafer handling systems, vacuum hardware, thermal management components, fluid delivery systems, or precision structural assemblies
  • Familiarity with metal manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, casting, forging, or advanced machining
  • Experience carrying hardware through development, qualification, and production ramp
  • Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders
  • Strong first-principles reasoning and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving problem spaces
  • Strategic thinker with an instinct for where technology can unlock the most value
  • Team player, positive attitude, growth mindset, integrity, accountability, adaptability, entrepreneurial, driven, results-oriented and ethical

Location:
  • Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA's deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
  • Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.

What We Offer:
  • We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
  • We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
  • Benefits
    • Significant stock option packages
    • 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
    • Life insurance
    • Traditional and Roth 401(k)
    • Relocation assistance provided
    • Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
    • Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
    • Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
    • Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
  • Compensation
    • As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company's current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
    • In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $120,000-$185,000. The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.
  • Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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