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Remote Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California

Apple

Home Product Design Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $277K/yr

Apple Home Hardware is a team of engineers building a new generation of intelligent home products ... The Product Design team within Home Hardware leads the mechanical design and integration of ...

Wispr Flow

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$220K - $350K/yr

Without design engineers as influential voices in the company, none of this would be possible. And ... We fly remote teammates to SF for three to four days a month. Visa sponsorship. We sponsor visas:

Salas O'Brien, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $110K/yr

Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology ... Location : * San Diego, CA (on-site with remote Fridays) Travel : * Up to 25% Compensation ...

Salas O'Brien, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer

Tustin, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $110K/yr

Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology ... Tustin, CA (on-site with remote half day on Fridays) Travel : * Up to 25% Compensation & Benefits:

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All JobsMechanical Design Engineer JobsRemote Mechanical Design Engineer JobsRemote Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in California

Remote Mechanical Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$44.9K

$90.4K

$134.7K

How much do remote mechanical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote mechanical design engineer in California is $90,379.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a remote mechanical design engineer do?

A Remote Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems and products, but works from a location outside of the traditional office. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed models and drawings, collaborate with team members through digital communication tools, and ensure that designs meet project specifications and industry standards. Their work often involves problem-solving, researching new materials or technologies, and making improvements to existing products or systems. Effective communication and self-management are crucial since they work remotely. This role is common in industries like manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products.

How does a remote mechanical design engineer effectively collaborate with on-site teams and manage project communication?

As a Remote Mechanical Design Engineer, effective communication is crucial for ensuring project success. Most teams use collaborative platforms like CAD cloud storage, project management tools, and regular video meetings to bridge the distance. You'll need to proactively update stakeholders, share design files in compatible formats, and clarify requirements or feedback. Building strong relationships with on-site engineers and participating in virtual design reviews are key to staying aligned with team objectives and project timelines.

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

To thrive as a Remote Mechanical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, 3D CAD modeling, and product design, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA, along with familiarity with PLM systems, is essential, and certification in these tools is advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and self-motivation distinguish top performers in a remote work setting. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering innovative, accurate designs and collaborating efficiently with distributed teams.

What is the difference between Remote Mechanical Design Engineer vs Mechanical Drafter?

AspectRemote Mechanical Design EngineerMechanical Drafter
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field; CAD certificationsHigh school diploma or associate degree; CAD training
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, remote work possible, collaborative teamsDrafting rooms, CAD labs, remote work less common
Industry UsageProduct design, engineering firms, manufacturingDrafting and documentation, manufacturing support
Search/Comparison IntentDesign, engineering, product developmentDrafting, technical documentation

The Remote Mechanical Design Engineer focuses on creating and developing mechanical products using CAD software, requiring engineering credentials and design expertise. In contrast, a Mechanical Drafter primarily prepares technical drawings and documentation, often with less formal education. While both roles utilize CAD tools and may work remotely, the engineer's role involves more design innovation and engineering analysis, whereas the drafter supports manufacturing and production documentation.

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

The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Remote Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California?

For Remote Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Remote Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Remote Mechanical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Remote Mechanical Design Engineer job openings:

Remote Mechanical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,379 per year, or $43.5 per hour.

Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer - 065QE

San Diego, CA • On-site, Remote

Quartus Engineering
Engineering Professional Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Quartus Engineeringexternal

$138K - $226K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

About Quartus
Quartus Engineering Incorporated (www.quartus.com) is a leading provider of engineering services and integrated hardware solutions for a wide range of clients and industries. We employ advanced computer-aided engineering tools in the areas of optics, structural, thermal, and coupled analyses. We couple our engineering analysis capabilities with design, prototype, integration and test capabilities to create solutions for our clients that are of extraordinary value.
About Applied Photonics Sector
Applied Photonics is a business unit within Quartus that focuses on the practical application of the science and technology of light. Our teams develop innovative products as well as custom optical and metrology solutions for commercial and industrial applications. Our expertise spans precision metrology, robotics, machine vision, semiconductor and emerging photonic technologies including quantum optics. Typical development cycles begin with defining customer objectives, progress through all stages of design and analysis, and conclude with hardware build and rigorous testing.
Our clients range from large, industry-leading organizations to agile startup-style companies. We pride ourselves on bridging diverse perspectives and delivering advanced technical systems that meet each program's budget and schedule constraints.
Our multidisciplinary team-comprising optical, opto-mechanical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers-works in a highly collaborative environment where communication and team ethics are paramount.
What will you do?
As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer in our Applied Photonics sector, you will design and develop robust mechanics for high performance optical systems in challenging environments. You will work as part of a team of creative cross-disciplinary engineers to meet project and customer's requirements and gain exposure to a wide variety of optical systems from airborne remote sensing to industrial automation and everything in between. At Quartus, you will be involved in the entire project lifecycle from concept and design to build and alignment. As a Senior Engineer you may be expected to own the entire technical aspect of a given project, not necessarily just your area of expertise.
Essential Job Functions:
  • Design and develop opto-mechanical assemblies and sub-systems for a diverse range of applications such as machine vision, consumer product development, automation, optical metrology, laser communication, energy transfer, and imaging
  • Design and build prototypes, create detailed drawings and instructions for production
  • Perform risk and tolerance analysis and perform subsystem FMEA's (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
  • Drive appropriate mechanical design elements by building a tolerance budget for each component
  • Responsible for technical documentation (Models, CAD drawings, Simulations, BOMs, etc.)
  • Work closely with program manager and customer on technical requirements
  • Work on projects independently, and with a multi-disciplined team of engineers and technicians
  • Effectively manage multiple tasks and juggle multiple projects
  • Mentor and assist junior engineers
  • Collaborates with project managers and others in the development of project plans, proposals, and schedules
  • Prepares PowerPoint slides for customer design reviews

Location
Position is based in San Diego, CA with a hybrid schedule.*
*The hybrid work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs including but not limited to training, performance, or other operational requirements. Any physical location change may impact future employment.
What are we looking for?
  • BS and/or MS in Mechanical or similar Engineering field and/or equivalent experience
  • 6 - 15 years of experience in:
    • Opto-mechanical design and integration for high performance optical systems in challenging environments
    • Optical system design and opto-mechanical packaging
    • Optical metrology and alignment techniques (wavefront sensing, interferometry)
    • Design of electromechanical mechanisms
    • Design of precision mechanics (kinematic mounts)
    • Precision motion control (nice to have)
    • Heat transfer and design of thermal management solutions
    • GD&T application per ASME Y14.5M
    • Design using CAD/CAE software (Solidworks preferred)
    • Design validation using proper finite element analysis techniques
  • Familiarity with optical raytracing software (eg. Zemax, CodeV, etc.) is a plus
  • Experience with image processing, analysis, and camera calibration is a plus
  • Experience with optical alignment techniques in a lab setting
  • Must be a US Person (U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident)

Compensation and Benefits
Opto-Mechanical Senior Engineer pay range: $114,609.25 - 187,270.02*
Opto-Mechanical Lead Engineer pay range: $138,677.20 - 226,596.73*
*This pay range represents base pay. In addition, you may be eligible for additional benefits and compensation.
Referral eligibility: Tier 2
Quartus is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to employing a diverse workforce, including, but not limited to, minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Quartus provides comprehensive benefits including competitive salary, discretionary performance-based bonus, employee stock ownership plan, medical, dental, vision, and 401k plan with company match.

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