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 165 mechanical engineering jobs listed below pay well, with salaries between $64,827 and $166,559 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 Oct 22, 2026
Job title
San Diego, CA
California
Job openings (San Diego)
Hardware Design Engineer
San Diego
$166,559
per year
California
$162,221
per year
Senior Hardware Engineer
San Diego
$161,232
per year
California
$189,744
per year
Tooling Engineer
San Diego
$136,764
per year
California
$139,915
per year
Senior Mechanical Engineer
San Diego
$136,408
per year
California
$151,059
per year
Hardware Engineer
San Diego
$123,213
per year
California
$158,535
per year
Robotics Engineer
San Diego
$118,297
per year
California
$156,537
per year
Mechanical Engineer
San Diego
$114,867
per year
California
$128,082
per year
Mechanical Designer
San Diego
$104,143
per year
California
$121,968
per year
Validation Engineer
San Diego
$42.90
per hour
California
$92.67
per hour
Surveyor
San Diego
$35.44
per hour
California
$34.35
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, 10% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 2% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$166,559 per yearCalifornia
$162,221 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, 13% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 0% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$161,232 per yearCalifornia
$189,744 per year -
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 22 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$136,764 per yearCalifornia
$139,915 per yearSkills
- Tooling
- Plastics injection molding
- Manufacturing
- Math
- CAD
-
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 33 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 16% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 1% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$136,408 per yearCalifornia
$151,059 per yearSkills
- Electrical experience
- Revit
- Manufacturing
- Mechanical engineering
- SolidWorks
-
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.
Currently, 15% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 5% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$123,213 per yearCalifornia
$158,535 per yearSkills
- PCB
- Embedded software
- Python
- Scripting
- C++
-
Robotics Engineer
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Robotics engineers design and develop robotic systems for various applications. They require expertise in mechanical systems, programming skills and strong problem-solving abilities.
Robotics Engineer jobs take 17 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 13% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 2% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$118,297 per yearCalifornia
$156,537 per yearSkills
- Robotics
- C
- Arduino
- Raspberry Pi
- C++
-
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 52 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 14% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 3% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$114,867 per yearCalifornia
$128,082 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 95 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 15% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 8% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$104,143 per yearCalifornia
$121,968 per yearSkills
- SolidWorks
- AutoCAD
- Mechanical engineering
- CAD
- Mechanical design
-
Validation Engineer
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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 jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$42.90 per hourCalifornia
$92.67 per hour -
Surveyor
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Please refer to the employers job description for complete details.
Surveyors measure land, prepare reports for construction projects and use tools to map topography. Key qualifications for this role include strong analytical skills, knowledge of surveying methods and proficiency in relevant software.
Surveyor jobs take 74 days on average from job posting to starting date. Currently, 14% of job openings offer remote or hybrid positions and 23% of job openings are part-time roles.
See jobsAverage pay
San Diego
$35.44 per hourCalifornia
$34.35 per hourSkills
- GPS
- Data collection
- Schematics
- Construction
- Math