1

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$93K - $129K/yr

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for independently leading and executing mechanical design and development activities for new and existing medical device products. This position ...

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$112K - $148K/yr

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Sr. Mechanical Engineer to join our dynamic team ... Conduct and lead small teams in the mechanical engineering design and development of spacecraft and ...

Senior Process Mechanical Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$96K - $133K/yr

As a Senior Process Mechanical Design Engineer specializing in water and wastewater projects, you will play a pivotal role in leading innovative mechanical design and process integration for cutting ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$75.1K

$113.3K

$157.5K

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

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior mechanical design engineer in Riverside, CA is $113,258.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,900.00 and $129,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior mechanical design engineer do?

A Senior Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for leading the design and development of mechanical systems, components, and products. They use advanced engineering principles and software to create detailed designs, oversee prototype development, and ensure that projects meet technical standards and client requirements. They often mentor junior engineers, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and participate in problem-solving during the manufacturing process. Their expertise is crucial for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of mechanical products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior mechanical design engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, proficiency in design analysis, and a relevant engineering degree, often backed by professional certification (e.g., PE license). Expertise with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD, simulation tools like ANSYS, and familiarity with product lifecycle management systems are typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration skills help you manage complex projects and mentor junior engineers. These capabilities ensure the creation of innovative, reliable products while meeting project deadlines and maintaining engineering standards.

What are some common challenges faced by senior mechanical design engineers in cross-functional project teams?

Senior Mechanical Design Engineers often work closely with professionals from electrical, manufacturing, and software disciplines. A common challenge is ensuring seamless integration of mechanical components with other systems while balancing design intent, cost, and manufacturability. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial, as conflicting priorities or technical constraints may arise during the development cycle. Proactively addressing these issues through regular collaboration and clear documentation helps maintain project timelines and product quality.

What is the difference between Senior Mechanical Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectSenior Mechanical Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering, professional certifications often preferredBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, R&D departments, manufacturing firmsDesign teams, product development, manufacturing settings
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, manufacturing companies, aerospace, automotiveSimilar industries, often entry to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer and a Mechanical Design Engineer lies in experience, responsibility, and expertise. Senior engineers typically lead projects, mentor junior staff, and handle complex design challenges, while Mechanical Design Engineers focus on executing design tasks under supervision. Both roles require a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and relevant certifications, but senior roles demand more experience and leadership skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Senior Mechanical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Senior Mechanical Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,258 per year, or $54.5 per hour.

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer

Santa Ana, CA • On-site

$93K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Job Purpose

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for independently leading and executing mechanical design and development activities for new and existing medical device products. This position applies advanced mechanical engineering expertise to the design, development, verification, and lifecycle support of high-reliability critical care medical devices.

The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams to develop robust, manufacturable, and compliant product designs. The position is expected to exercise independent judgment, provide technical leadership within assigned projects, and ensure mechanical engineering activities are completed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and the companys design control processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead and execute mechanical design and development activities for medical device components, assemblies, and systems using SolidWorks and established engineering methodologies, including plastic, pneumatic, sheet metal, machined, molded, and other mechanical components.
  • Independently develop and maintain mechanical engineering documentation throughout the product lifecycle, including design specifications, drawings, engineering analyses, design reviews, change orders, and Design History File (DHF) records, in accordance with established design controls, FDA requirements, and applicable quality system procedures.
  • Conduct engineering analyses, calculations, simulations, prototyping, and testing to support design decisions and evaluate product performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, serviceability, and compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Lead and execute design verification and validation activities, including development of test methods, protocols, reports, and analysis of results, while applying risk management principles to identify and mitigate design-related risks.
  • Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams to ensure mechanical designs and supporting documentation meet applicable regulatory and quality requirements and support regulatory submissions, including 510(k) submissions where applicable.
  • Provide technical leadership through design reviews, engineering changes, product improvements, and production support activities; proactively resolve technical challenges and provide recommendations based on sound engineering judgment.
  • Support investigation and resolution of production, supplier, quality, and field-related mechanical issues, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
  • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less-experienced mechanical engineers and contribute to the development of engineering best practices and processes.
  • Adheres to all company policies, procedures and business ethics codes.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience

  • Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline; masters degree preferred.
  • 7+ years of progressive mechanical engineering design and development experience, including experience designing and developing products within the medical device or other highly regulated industry.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience with SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD software, with demonstrated proficiency in complex mechanical design and product development.
  • Demonstrated experience in mechanical design of Plastic and Pneumatic components for use in Class 2 medical devices.
  • Demonstrated experience with design controls, design verification, and design validation within a regulated product development environment.
  • Experience developing and executing mechanical engineering verification testing, including test methods, protocols, reports, and analysis of results.
  • Working knowledge of FDA medical device requirements, ISO and IEC standards, and applicable quality system requirements.
  • Experience supporting regulatory documentation and submissions, including 510(k) submissions, where applicable.

Skills & Abilities

  • Strong understanding and practical application of risk management principles in product design and development.
  • Strong knowledge of design for manufacturability (DFM), tolerance analysis, and GD&T principles.
  • Ability to evaluate mechanical designs for performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, serviceability, and compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and technical documentation skills.
  • Strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and concise technical summaries and reports, and excellent verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage engineering activities, prioritize multiple projects, resolve technical challenges, and meet established project timelines.
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams throughout the product development and lifecycle process.
  • Ability to provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineers and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and practices.

Compensation

The anticipated range for this position is $120,000 to $150,000 at an annual base. Actual placement within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including but not limited to skills, education, experience and location.

Working Conditions

  • The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer primarily works in an office and engineering environment and may occasionally be required to work in laboratory, manufacturing, or testing areas. Domestic travel may be required on an occasional basis.
  • The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer generally works a standard business schedule; occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support project deadlines, testing activities, production needs, or other business requirements.

Physical requirements

  • Sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by telephone, and through written communication.
  • Perform visual inspection of engineering drawings, CAD models, prototypes, components, and test equipment.
  • Work safely in laboratory, manufacturing, and testing environments and comply with applicable safety requirements.
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.