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Project Engineer Co Op Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer Co-Op

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Co-Op - Design Engineer Location: Los Angeles, CA Start Date: July 2026 (6-Month Program) About ... Contribute to project organization, timelines, and reporting. What You'll Gain: * Hands-on ...

Design Engineer Co-Op

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Co-Op - Design Engineer Location: Los Angeles, CA Start Date: July 2026 (6-Month Program) About ... Contribute to project organization, timelines, and reporting. What You'll Gain: * Hands-on ...

Coursework or project experience in software development using any programming language ... Job Title Software Developer Spring Co-op 2027 Date posted 12-Aug-2026 Job ID 128506 City ...

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Project Engineer Co Op information

See California salary details

$44.4K

$89.5K

$134.2K

How much do project engineer co op jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for project engineer co op in California is $89,457.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,000.00 and $102,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project engineer co op?

A Project Engineer Co Op is a cooperative education position typically offered to students in engineering programs. It provides hands-on experience by allowing students to work alongside professional engineers on real-world projects, often as part of their academic curriculum. Project Engineer Co Ops assist with project planning, design, coordination, and implementation while gaining industry knowledge and practical skills. These roles are usually temporary and intended to bridge the gap between classroom learning and full-time engineering work. The experience gained can be valuable for future career opportunities in engineering.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a project engineer co op?

As a Project Engineer Co-Op, you will typically support project managers and engineering teams with tasks such as coordinating project schedules, assisting with site inspections, preparing documentation, and communicating with contractors or vendors. You may also have opportunities to participate in meetings, track project progress, and contribute to problem-solving sessions. This hands-on experience allows you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world engineering challenges while developing key skills like teamwork, technical communication, and project management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project engineer co op, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Engineer Co Op, you typically need a background in engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and enrollment in an accredited engineering program. Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools like Microsoft Project, and basic understanding of industry standards are commonly expected. Strong teamwork, communication, and adaptability help differentiate top candidates in collaborative and fast-paced environments. These skills ensure effective project support, smooth communication among stakeholders, and successful completion of engineering tasks.

What is the difference between Project Engineer Co Op vs Project Engineer?

AspectProject Engineer Co OpProject Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in engineeringUsually holds a bachelor's degree in engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship or temporary position, often part-time during studiesFull-time professional role in project management and engineering tasks
Employer UsageUsed by companies for internship programs to develop future engineersUsed by companies for ongoing project execution and management

The Project Engineer Co Op is an entry-level, temporary position designed for students gaining practical experience, while the Project Engineer is a full-time role responsible for managing projects and coordinating engineering activities. The Co Op provides a stepping stone into the industry, whereas the Project Engineer role involves more responsibility and independence.

Is a project engineer a stressful job?

A project engineer role can be stressful due to tight deadlines, coordinating multiple teams, and managing project scope and budgets. However, stress levels vary depending on project complexity, experience, and workplace support, with strong organizational and communication skills helping to mitigate pressure.

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

The most popular types of Project Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Project Engineer Co Op jobs?

Cities in California with the most Project Engineer Co Op job openings:

Infographic showing various Project Engineer Co Op job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,457 per year, or $43 per hour.

Design Engineer Co-Op

Maesa

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Co-Op - Design Engineer ย 
Location: Los Angeles, CAย 
Start Date: July 2026 (6-Month Program)ย 

About Maesa:ย 
The next gen beauty company, Maesa is transforming the industry by incubating and growing meaningful, innovative brands and making prestige beauty accessible. Maesa believes beauty ignites inspiration, creativity, imagination, and connection, sparking new ideas and possibilities, and meeting unmet consumer needs. Through best-in-class design, formulation, brand creation and marketing capabilities, Maesa delivers new, better and different products with an unsurpassed speed to market. Maesa works with a variety of retailers to create and launch brands across beauty and wellness categories. The current portfolio includes Kristin Ess, Hairitage by Mindy McKnight, Fine'ry, Being Frenshe, and Niches & Nooks among other brands. For more information, visit www.maesa.com.ย 

Position Overview:ย 
As a Design Engineer Co-Op, you'll work alongside our Los Angeles-based team to support the design, development, and engineering of beauty product packaging. You'll gain real-world experience in turning creative design concepts into functional packaging solutions-working with a cross-functional global team from concept through to manufacturable files.ย 

This role is ideal for students pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Science, Product Design, or related fields and looking to gain practical experience in the cosmetics and consumer goods industries.ย 

This co-op position requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week during the Fall 2026 semester (approximately July through December) and will require to be onsite at our LA office a minimum of 4x a week.ย 

Key Responsibilities:ย 

  • Support the conversion of conceptual packaging designs into engineered 3D CAD models suitable for manufacturing.ย 
  • Assist with creating and updating SolidWorks files, 2D drawings, and visual schematics.ย 
  • Collaborate on the evaluation of materials and manufacturing processes including injection molding, blow molding, and decoration techniques.ย 
  • Participate in design reviews and provide input on manufacturability and product functionality.ย 
  • Help manage prototype development and 3D printing of packaging components.ย 
  • Work with international engineering teams and vendors to help bring designs to life.ย 
  • Review product testing data (e.g. drop tests, vibration tests) and document feedback.ย 
  • Contribute to project organization, timelines, and reporting.ย 

What You'll Gain:ย 

  • Hands-on experience working on real packaging projects from ideation to executionย 
  • Exposure to engineering standards and manufacturing processes in the beauty industryย 
  • Opportunities to develop technical skills in CAD, design for manufacturing (DFM), and prototypingย 
  • Mentorship from experienced design engineersย 
  • Insight into product development and cross-functional collaborationย 

Qualifications:ย 

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Development Engineering, Product Design, or a related disciplineย 
  • Familiarity with SolidWorks or other 3D CAD software (coursework or internship experience a plus)ย 
  • Interest in consumer products, especially beauty or CPG packagingย 
  • Strong attention to detail and an eagerness to learnย 
  • Excellent communication and time-management skillsย 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environmentย 

Compensation:ย 

$20/hour - $21/hour. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.ย 

Our Commitment to You

At Maesa, we live by our values of collaboration, curiosity, game-changing, creativity, and discipline.ย  We believe our people and partners are a creative force that catalyzes the possibilities in beauty to break through traditional limits and discover the "new" without restriction. We prioritize creating and fostering a welcoming environment for employees, partners, ideas, approaches, and endeavors - all through a spirit of warmth and inclusivity. As set forth in Maesa's Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Our EVP

Maesa is the next-gen beauty company, where bold ideas become beautiful brands.ย We ignite the dreamer and doer in each of us. We move at the speed of culture to push boundaries and redefine possibilities unleashing #maesamagic everyday. By fostering a start-up spirit, we equip everyone to lead with accountability & execute with excellence.ย We champion each voice and empower every journey, creating an environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking, calculated risk taking, and cutting-edge innovation.ย Growth is personal, intentional, and limitless.