High-paying mechanical engineering jobs in San Diego
Mechanical Engineering designs, develops, and tests mechanical systems. Engineers solve problems related to machinery and energy use. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are key.
The 175 mechanical engineering jobs listed below pay well, with salaries between $64,769 and $166,148 per year. Mechanical Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer and Hardware Engineer are among the most popular high-paying roles in San Diego, CA.
Job title
Updated Sep 29, 2026
Job title
San Diego, CA
California
Job openings (San Diego)
Hardware Design Engineer
San Diego
$166,148
per year
California
$161,741
per year
Senior Hardware Engineer
San Diego
$159,284
per year
California
$188,127
per year
Tooling Engineer
San Diego
$138,735
per year
California
$140,619
per year
Senior Mechanical Engineer
San Diego
$136,459
per year
California
$151,509
per year
Hardware Engineer
San Diego
$125,238
per year
California
$158,349
per year
Senior Validation Engineer
San Diego
$58.01
per hour
California
$64.06
per hour
Mechanical Engineer
San Diego
$113,662
per year
California
$127,433
per year
Marine Engineer
San Diego
$110,978
per year
California
$153,638
per year
Mechanical Designer
San Diego
$104,541
per year
California
$121,422
per year
Validation Engineer
San Diego
$42.86
per hour
California
$91.74
per hour
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Hardware Design Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Hardware Design Engineers create designs for electronic systems, focusing on functionality and reliability. Essential qualifications include strong knowledge of circuit design, CAD proficiency, and problem-solving abilities.
Currently, 11% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 15 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$166,148 per yearCalifornia
$161,741 per year -
Senior Hardware Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Senior hardware engineers lead hardware design projects, ensuring high performance and reliability. Expertise in circuit design, strong leadership abilities and experience with hardware testing processes are vital.
Currently, 15% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 0% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 15 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$159,284 per yearCalifornia
$188,127 per yearSkills
- System design
- Manufacturing
- Python
- PCB
- FPGA
-
Tooling Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Tooling Engineers design and develop tools for manufacturing processes, ensuring precision and usability. Essential qualifications include knowledge of tooling principles, strong design skills, and experience with CAD software.
Tooling Engineer jobs take 21 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 9 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$138,735 per yearCalifornia
$140,619 per yearSkills
- Tooling
- Math
- Plastics injection molding
- CAD
- AutoCAD
-
Senior Mechanical Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Senior mechanical engineers lead design projects, oversee teams and ensure compliance with regulations. Expertise in mechanical design, leadership experience and advanced problem-solving abilities are essential in this role.
Senior Mechanical Engineer jobs take 23 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 18% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 26 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$136,459 per yearCalifornia
$151,509 per yearSkills
- Electrical experience
- Revit
- Mechanical engineering
- SolidWorks
- AutoCAD
-
Hardware Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Hardware engineers design, test and develop computer hardware components for systems. Proficiency in circuit design, troubleshooting skills and familiarity with industry standards are essential in this role.
Hardware Engineer jobs take 40 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 22 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$125,238 per yearCalifornia
$158,349 per yearSkills
- PCB
- Embedded software
- Python
- Scripting
- C++
-
Senior Validation Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Senior Validation Engineers assess the performance and compliance of systems, ensuring quality control standards. They should have expertise in validation processes, strong analytical abilities, and experience leading validation teams.
Currently, 0% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 7 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$58.01 per hourCalifornia
$64.06 per hour -
Mechanical Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Mechanical Engineers design machinery, analyze mechanical problems, and innovate product solutions. Expertise in mechanical systems, proficiency with CAD software, and problem-solving skills are essential.
Mechanical Engineer jobs take 59 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 13% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 3% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 44 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$113,662 per yearCalifornia
$127,433 per yearSkills
- Mechanical engineering
- AutoCAD
- CAD
- SolidWorks
- Mechanical knowledge
-
Marine Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Marine Engineers design and maintain systems on vessels, ensuring safety and efficiency. Strong knowledge of marine engineering principles, hands-on experience, and problem-solving skills are key qualifications.
Currently, 10% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 13 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$110,978 per yearCalifornia
$153,638 per yearSkills
- Communication skills
- Analysis skills
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Leadership
-
Mechanical Designer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Mechanical designers create detailed technical drawings and models for mechanical systems. Strong CAD expertise, attention to detail and good communication skills are essential for collaboration and project success.
Mechanical Designer jobs take 94 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 13% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 6% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 13 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$104,541 per yearCalifornia
$121,422 per yearSkills
- SolidWorks
- AutoCAD
- Mechanical engineering
- CAD
- Mechanical design
-
Validation Engineer
Review job description
Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Validation engineers ensure systems meet compliance and performance standards through rigorous testing. Key skills for this role include expertise in testing methodologies, analytical thinking and experience with regulatory requirements.
Currently, 3% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 11 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$42.86 per hourCalifornia
$91.74 per hourSkills
- Manufacturing
- Communication skills
- GMP
- CGMP
- FDA regulations