19 of the Best Types of Engineer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Engineer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Engineer Jobs

• Engineer Director

  Salary range: $141,500 - $253,000

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Engineer Manager

  Salary range: $116,500 - $173,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Senior Engineer

  Salary range: $104,500 - $143,500

  To become a senior engineer, complete a certificate program or earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Practice using programming languages, such as C, C++, and Java to build a substantial portfolio. Acquire an entry-level position in software development to learn from veteran engineers. Take on leadership opportunities when available. Once you have several years of experience with a successful record of developing and managing software applications, seek senior engineer positions.

• Virtual Engineer

  Salary range: $102,500 - $141,500

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Freelance Engineer

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Temporary Engineer

  Salary range: $74,500 - $126,500

  Temporary jobs for an engineer include mechanical and manufacturing roles in a variety of industries. In these jobs, you work for a company with temporary staffing needs. Job duties can vary widely, and many companies hire temporary engineers to work on short-term projects. As a temporary engineer, you may operate equipment, oversee manufacturing operations, and handle other duties as necessary. You typically work with teams to carry out design goals and meet deadlines. Other responsibilities include supervising project management tasks as well as teams of employees to fulfill organizational needs.

• Union Engineer

  Salary range: $84,000 - $116,500

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Executive Engineer

  Salary range: $91,500 - $112,500

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• Per Diem Engineer

  Salary range: $47,500 - $106,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Engineer Co Op

  Salary range: $76,500 - $97,500

  The qualifications you need for a Co-Op job depend on the application requirements at your school and the organization where you want to work. You must be an officially enrolled student at your college or university, and GPA and credit hour requirements are typical. Some companies prefer Co-Op students whose major aligns with the industry. You must have strong communication skills and a willingness to learn and practice a variety of new tasks and job duties. Your responsibilities are to apply your learning to your Co-Op work experience and be a punctual and motivated employee.

• Journeyman Engineer

  Salary range: $59,500 - $84,500

  Journeyman Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Journeyman Engineer jobs pay between $59,500 (25th percentile) and $84,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Journeyman Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Junior Engineer

  Salary range: $48,500 - $80,000

  To become a junior engineer, decide in which engineering field you wish to work. Earn a bachelor's degree in that area from a program certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Depending on your engineering field, you may need to obtain a state engineer’s license, so research the qualifications in your state. Acquire an internship at an engineering firm to gain hands-on experience, then seek junior engineer positions. To succeed in this career, you need strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to work well in a team.

• Entry Level Engineer

  Salary range: $51,500 - $78,500

  An entry-level engineer designs, builds, and maintains the functional aspects of a product, structure, or system for their specific engineering industry. All engineers start out in an entry-level position with fewer responsibilities until they gain work experience. Many start gaining experience through an internship or apprenticeship before moving into an entry-level position. An entry-level engineer job description relates to all of the education requirements, skills, detailed tasks, responsibilities that a company or organization requires for their specific engineering job. For example, civil engineers design, construct, and maintain large infrastructure projects, such as highways, bridges, and airports. Electrical engineers design, monitor, and test electrical systems.

• Trainee Engineer

  Salary range: $52,000 - $74,500

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Engineer Coordinator

  Salary range: $40,500 - $69,500

  Coordinators plan and schedule events, programs, or projects. In this position, you can work in a variety of industries, so your duties and the necessary qualifications vary by field. There are project coordinators who work in the construction, manufacturing, and development industries, program coordinators, who typically work in education, community outreach, or non-profit organizations, and numerous other positions that require significant coordination experience. For those who work in labor industries, coordination might include developing timetables and budgets for the ordering and delivery of materials or services, while at a school, an instructional coordinator might prepare an afterschool program curriculum.

• Independent Contractor Engineer

  Salary range: $37,500 - $63,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Engineer Summer

  Salary range: $34,500 - $61,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.

• Apprentice Engineer

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  Apprentice Engineer is a common job search query. Most salaries for Apprentice Engineer jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Engineer Internship

  Salary range: $33,500 - $43,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.