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What does an associate design engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read

An Associate Design Engineer is a specialist focused on the engineering process design for various engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, or structural. Duties include designing and coordinating projects, conducting model making and product testing, identifying new processes that promote cost-savings, efficiency, and quality, and assisting the director in contract bidding. They are also involved in resource forecasting, budgeting, and technical report writing. An associate design engineer liaises with clients, contractors, and colleagues to ensure the project is delivered according to the timeline.

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Associate design engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate design engineer resumes:

  • Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
  • Maintain BOM, schematic implementation, and maintenance
  • Design for high volume mold and manufacture using SolidWorks.
  • Create BOM and machine documentations for assemblies to get efficient procurement.
  • Implement an application that reads data from the meter and transmit data over RF module.
  • Calculate electrical requirements using MATLAB, and determine the best material and manufacturing processes.
  • Monitor the latest innovations relate to product development, including new component technologies, materials, manufacturing and prototyping processes.
  • Assist in the supervision and fabrication of prototype equipment including conveyors, robotics, and pharmaceutical equipment and automate beverage systems.
  • Research and develop a non-linear curve-fitting method to accelerate ATP testing of T/R modules.
  • Establish unified cell library between VLSI and digital design groups.
  • Organize and prepare other documentation relate to GIS.

Associate design engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Associate Design Engineers are proficient in Design Engineering, CAD, and Autocad. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Associate Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Design Engineering, 17%

    Performed design engineering analysis and reviewed engineering documentation to support team during various projects.

  • CAD, 10%

    Performed Cad software implementation and maintenance.

  • Autocad, 6%

    Completed AutoCAD structural designs for project estimation and bidding.

  • Engineering Drawings, 5%

    Provide assistance to revise engineering drawings per request and review all engineering drawings to ensure accuracy.

  • Solidworks, 4%

    Create models using SolidWorks and participated in cross-functional product-development meetings.

  • GD, 3%

    Applied GD & T for form, fit and function, performing tolerance stack-ups using MicroCAD.

Most associate design engineers use their skills in "design engineering," "cad," and "autocad" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential associate design engineer responsibilities here:

Creativity. One of the key soft skills for an associate design engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what associate design engineers do because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, an associate design engineer resume shows how associate design engineers use creativity: "design new conveyors with autodesk inventor and autocad. "

Listening skills. Many associate design engineer duties rely on listening skills. "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists," so an associate design engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways associate design engineer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated design changes with asian counterparts using teamcenter, ug nx and webex"

Math skills. associate design engineers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to associate design engineer responsibilities, because "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." An associate design engineer resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "designed asic for video decoder in video group including circuit implementation and digital filter design using mathcad. "

Mechanical skills. A big part of what associate design engineers do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to associate design engineer responsibilities because "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical associate design engineer tasks: "created engineering drawings, mechanical system layouts and completed cost and trade studies for new products. "

Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for an associate design engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what associate design engineers relies on this skill, since "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." How this skill relates to associate design engineer duties can be seen in an example from an associate design engineer resume snippet: "solved cad workstation hardware and software problems; helped establish cad standards; customized cad software. "

See the full list of associate design engineer skills

Choose from 10+ customizable associate design engineer resume templates

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Associate Design Engineer Resume
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Compare different associate design engineers

Associate design engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

If we compare the average associate design engineer annual salary with that of an engineer, we find that engineers typically earn a $17,286 higher salary than associate design engineers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both associate design engineer and engineer positions are skilled in cad, solidworks, and fea.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an associate design engineer are more likely to require skills like "design engineering," "autocad," "engineering drawings," and "gd." On the other hand, a job as an engineer requires skills like "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Engineers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,672. In contrast, associate design engineers make the biggest average salary, $79,843, in the health care industry.On average, engineers reach similar levels of education than associate design engineers. Engineers are 4.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Associate design engineer vs. Junior engineer

A Junior Engineer helps design, build, or maintain engines, machines, or public works. They work under the supervision of an engineer.

A career as a junior engineer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an associate design engineer. In fact, junior engineers salary is $4,138 lower than the salary of associate design engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Associate design engineers and junior engineers both require similar skills like "engineering drawings," "solidworks," and "gd" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, associate design engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "design engineering," "cad," "autocad," and "mechanical systems." Meanwhile, a junior engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "java," "c++," "c #," and "windows." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, junior engineers earn a lower salary than associate design engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, junior engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $72,489. Whereas associate design engineers have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $79,843.In general, junior engineers achieve similar levels of education than associate design engineers. They're 1.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate design engineer vs. Senior engineer

A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.

On average, senior engineers earn higher salaries than associate design engineers, with a $33,952 difference per year.associate design engineers and senior engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "cad," "engineering support," and "provide engineering support," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an associate design engineer is likely to be skilled in "design engineering," "autocad," "engineering drawings," and "solidworks," while a typical senior engineer is skilled in "java," "python," "architecture," and "c #."

Senior engineers earn the highest salary when working in the start-up industry, where they receive an average salary of $125,167. Comparatively, associate design engineers have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $79,843.Most senior engineers achieve a higher degree level compared to associate design engineers. For example, they're 10.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate design engineer vs. Senior project engineer

A senior project engineer is responsible for monitoring the project team's overall process and operations from conceptualization until completion, ensuring the adherence to the clients' specifications, within the budget's goals, and the required deadline. Senior project engineers regularly communicate with the client regarding updates or necessary adjustments. They develop strategic procedures to finish the project efficiently by running diagnostic tests and troubleshooting discrepancies. A senior project engineer must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the team's performance and provide assistance when necessary.

Senior project engineers typically earn higher pay than associate design engineers. On average, senior project engineers earn a $23,012 higher salary per year.While both associate design engineers and senior project engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cad, solidworks, and gd, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between associate design engineers and senior project engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an associate design engineer might have more use for skills like "design engineering," "autocad," "engineering drawings," and "mechanical systems." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior project engineers require skills like "project management," "construction management," "engineering design," and "project scope. "

In general, senior project engineers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $104,214. The highest-paying industry for an associate design engineer is the health care industry.The average resume of senior project engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to associate design engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.6%.

Types of associate design engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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