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 $64,827 and $184,902 per year. Mechanical Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer and Mechanical Designer are among the most popular high-paying roles in San Diego, CA.
Job title
Updated Oct 06, 2026
Job title
San Diego, CA
California
Job openings (San Diego)
Packaging Engineer
San Diego
$184,902
per year
California
$146,068
per year
Hardware Design Engineer
San Diego
$166,559
per year
California
$163,126
per year
Senior Hardware Engineer
San Diego
$161,232
per year
California
$188,915
per year
Tooling Engineer
San Diego
$138,986
per year
California
$140,377
per year
Senior Mechanical Engineer
San Diego
$135,885
per year
California
$151,427
per year
Hardware Engineer
San Diego
$124,231
per year
California
$158,403
per year
Senior Validation Engineer
San Diego
$58.01
per hour
California
$64.12
per hour
Mechanical Engineer
San Diego
$113,135
per year
California
$127,505
per year
Mechanical Designer
San Diego
$102,898
per year
California
$121,655
per year
Validation Engineer
San Diego
$42.90
per hour
California
$92.18
per hour
Job descriptions below are for educational purposes. Please refer to the employer's job description for complete details.
-
Packaging Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Packaging Engineers design and develop packaging solutions that ensure product safety and compliance. Proficiency in materials science, creativity in design, and knowledge of regulatory standards are essential.
Packaging Engineer jobs take 9 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 14% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 6 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$184,902 per yearCalifornia
$146,068 per year -
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 2% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 18 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$166,559 per yearCalifornia
$163,126 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, 14% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 0% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 12 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$161,232 per yearCalifornia
$188,915 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 8 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$138,986 per yearCalifornia
$140,377 per yearSkills
- Tooling
- Math
- Plastics injection molding
- CAD
- Manufacturing
-
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
$135,885 per yearCalifornia
$151,427 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 48 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 13% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 5% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 19 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$124,231 per yearCalifornia
$158,403 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
$64.12 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 58 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 47 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$113,135 per yearCalifornia
$127,505 per yearSkills
- Mechanical engineering
- AutoCAD
- CAD
- SolidWorks
- Mechanical knowledge
-
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 93 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 14% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 6% of job openings are part-time roles.
See 19 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$102,898 per yearCalifornia
$121,655 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 13 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$42.90 per hourCalifornia
$92.18 per hourSkills
- Manufacturing
- Communication skills
- GMP
- CGMP
- FDA regulations