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Job outlook for senior technical designers in the United States
Are senior technical designer jobs in demand?
Senior technical designer job and salary trends over time
Senior technical designer jobs over time
Senior technical designer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 577 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 610 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 637 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 630 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 604 | 0.00% |
Average senior technical designer salary over time
Senior technical designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,266 | $40.51 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $82,649 | $39.74 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $81,658 | $39.26 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $80,266 | $38.59 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $78,686 | $37.83 | +0.7% |
Senior technical designer jobs by state
Most common states for senior technical designers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 239 | 34% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,316 | 24% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,262 | 23% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 210 | 22% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 160 | 21% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,045 | 20% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,408 | 19% |
| 8 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,308 | 19% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 373 | 19% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,886 | 18% |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,063 | 18% |
| 12 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 519 | 18% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 130 | 18% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 621 | 17% |
| 15 | New York | 19,849,399 | 3,204 | 16% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,104 | 16% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 335 | 16% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 142 | 16% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 486 | 15% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 196 | 15% |
Most common cities for senior technical designers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangor | 1 | 3% | $82,910 |
| 2 | Carlsbad | 2 | 2% | $101,910 |
| 3 | Dearborn | 2 | 2% | $91,529 |
| 4 | Santa Monica | 2 | 2% | $104,729 |
| 5 | Battle Creek | 1 | 2% | $90,671 |
| 6 | Belleville | 1 | 2% | $89,768 |
| 7 | Daytona Beach | 1 | 2% | $60,533 |
| 8 | Irvine | 2 | 1% | $103,478 |
| 9 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $97,538 |
| 10 | Davenport | 1 | 1% | $98,329 |
| 11 | Kenosha | 1 | 1% | $84,092 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 4 | 0% | $104,686 |
| 13 | New York | 4 | 0% | $95,744 |
| 14 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $95,266 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $74,201 |
| 16 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $87,582 |
| 17 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $87,895 |
Senior Technical Designer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior technical designer experts
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
University of Maryland - College Park
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Hawaii at Manoa
York College of Pennsylvania
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
University of Delaware
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Ohio University
Jiayue Shen
Mechanical Engineering Technology Program CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Designer?
Jiayue Shen: To maximize your salary potential when starting your career in Mechanical Engineering Technology, contemplate acquiring certifications like the FE or PE license, or additional training in high-demand specialized areas such as semiconductors. Moreover, gaining practical experience through academic clubs, undergraduate research, internships, or co-op programs can increase your appeal to employers, potentially resulting in higher salary offers.
What will help Senior Technical Designers increase their earning potential?
Jiayue Shen: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as electronic control, basic programming, and critical thinking will become increasingly important in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. As industries like robotics, automation, and semiconductors continue to grow, professionals will need to be well-versed in these areas to stay competitive. Additionally, skills such as collaboration and effective oral and written communication will be crucial for advancing in one's career.
What Senior Technical Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brendan O'Toole Ph.D.: Mechanical Engineering jobs vary depending on the industry or even subfield within a specific industry. Things that are important to all fields and jobs would be time management and communications skills. Improving these things can be helpful in all aspects of work and life in general. New graduates should learn how to make themselves useful for the specific job they are in. This may require learning more Computer Aided Design and Analysis tools, or project management tools, or specific lab or manufacturing tools or programs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay and will most likely find its way into all work fields (engineering and others). New graduates should look for innovative ways to apply AI to their new jobs, even if it is not being used when they first start.
What Senior Technical Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amir Riaz Ph.D.: Mechanical engineering education gives you a broad foundation from which to make an impact in the most diverse set of practical fields, ranging from quantum computing to biomedical engineering to designing spacecraft, and everything in between. Be inquisitive and creative. Every practical problem that you encounter in your field has an engineering solution linked to what you have learned in class and is waiting to be discovered by you.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Designer?
Mohammed Daqaq: This is a difficult question to answer and is very much dependent on how satisfied an individual is about their job. I can comment on what I hear from students with regards to their ME education. Most engineers choose ME because of its breadth and that it allows them more freedom to maneuver the job market once they graduate. They can clearly see that, despite being one of the most traditional engineering disciplines, it is still very trendy with employers. They also like the hands-on nature of the discipline where they get to design, optimize, and build physical components that work and move together to achieve a desired task. As for the dislikes, some students complain about the fact that ME requires an in-depth understanding of many mathematical concepts which many students find to be challenging.
What will help Senior Technical Designers increase their earning potential?
Mohammed Daqaq: It depends on what aspect of the job they are hired to do. Some graduating MEs work in industrial plants where they are expected to deal with and fix engineering related problems, or work on the design and testing of innovative industrial solutions. Many MEs end up in the sales and maintenance departments of companies that manufacture specialized machinery and equipment. Some ME graduates are hired by the research departments of companies and federal labs where they participate in the research and development of new technologies, etc. A recent trend that we have been observing with our graduates is that they are being sought after by major consulting companies especially in business development and finance. Such companies like the versatility of the engineering education, and the logical/structured way of thinking that engineers are trained to follow during their studies.
Dr. Yousef Sardahi
Associate Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMarshall University
Engineering
What Senior Technical Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:
Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Senior Technical Designers increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.
Song Choi Ph.D.
Assistant DeanUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Technical Designers?
Song Choi Ph.D.: Fundamental competence and understanding of the mathematics (calculus), (physics), and fundamental engineering courses, generally the 2nd year and 3rd year courses. If the position requires more development/research type work, a higher competence, and understanding in the 4th year, more specific topic courses would be required. Project descriptions would be extremely important to assess these details.
For general engineering work, overall competence in all facets of mechanical engineering would be preferred - mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, and materials/manufacturing.
As more and more mechanical engineering projects require the use of computer software and packages, a fundamental understanding of programming and the use of specific software - AutoCad, SolidWorks, MatLab, Simulink, computer languages, etc. would be assets.
If critical thinking is categorized as a technical skill involving logical thinking, it should also be considered...
Documentation of all aspects of engineering.
Stephen Kuchnicki Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringYork College of Pennsylvania
Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Senior Technical Designer resumes?
Stephen Kuchnicki Ph.D.: The skills that stand out are, oddly enough, not necessarily the skills one associates with a mechanical engineering degree. That's because those skills are assumed - sure, you have mechanical design experience in your toolbox, but who doesn't with an ME degree? What stands out are skills beyond the norm. Some knowledge of electronics is good because mechanical engineers work with electrical engineers all the time. Team skills - especially leadership - always stand out. Practical knowledge of machining - not as a machinist, but to understand that parts need to get made and how to design something that is more readily made by a professional machinist - is always a plus as well. Many of these skills come from having to build projects and get your hands dirty, so to speak. Just making something on paper doesn't do the trick because that troubleshooting is lost - as well as the very important engineering step of validating your design. That is, you designed your device to do A, B, and C. How well does your device do those things?
Mike DeVore Ph.D.
Professor & Program ChairCincinnati State Technical & Community College
Mechanical Engineering Technology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Technical Designers?
Mike DeVore Ph.D.: -Computer-Aided Design
-Knowledge of manufacturing processes
-A good mathematics foundation
-Technical communication
-Problem solving
What skills will help Senior Technical Designers earn the most?
Mike DeVore Ph.D.: The most successful engineers have good technical skills, can follow instructions, pay attention to detail, are good problem solvers, and have good communication skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Technical Designer job market given the pandemic?
Ajay Prasad: Medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and most consumer goods are still strong. The pandemic is also unlikely to slow the demand in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. While more manufacturing jobs are believed to return to the U.S., this likely will drive innovation for the automation of manufacturing processes. Going forward, demand is likely to be strong in infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive, and aerospace industries.
What skills stand out on Senior Technical Designer resumes?
Ajay Prasad: For mechanical engineers, I would highlight problem-solving, creativity, analytical and computational skills, leadership and teamwork, communication skills, and project management. Most recruiters look for evidence that these skills were demonstrated in practice through in-class and extra-curricular accomplishments as opposed to a mere listing of bullets on the resume.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Technical Designers?
Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Most of the graduates are able to secure the job they wanted. However, for this year, the number of positions are very limited. Most companies canceled their positions due to the uncertainties in their own future. There are definitely many long-lasting impacts. In many aspects, the pandemic changes the working environment, forever. For Engineering students, especially in Mechatronics and Robotics, the students need to recognize that the opportunities outweigh the challenges.
What experience really stands out on Senior Technical Designer resumes?
Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Internship and Co-op (Cooperative Education) experiences that related to the industry.
Charles Jenckes
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Senior Technical Designer resumes?
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student
How would you rate the starting salaries for Senior Technical Designers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Daisy Huang: Above average, but you won't be a millionaire easily (you can with some effort, saving, and investing well). It is very unlikely you'll ever be *super* wealthy, but it's also very unlikely you'll ever not find employment in your field. You'll have a solid ticket to a modestly comfortable life, with some luxuries, too.
What type of skills will young Senior Technical Designers need?
Neil Littell: I believe that all young graduates should focus on building their soft-skills in addition to building technical skills. New graduates' ability to apply technical skills, in conjunction with being a great team member who is well-liked and can communicate well, combine to form a powerful synergy for conquering the job market. Being involved in student organizations such as SME (the Society of Manufacturing Engineers) or ATMAE (the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering) are great places to volunteer, learn, and grow both soft and technical skills. I see a trend in students who are pursuing certificates, in addition to their undergraduate degrees, to communicate their interest in specific fields aligned to the jobs they desire. For example, at Ohio University, we offer undergraduate certificates in project management, lean/six-sigma, and sales, among many others. These certificates exist as groupings of classes designed to go further in an area than a typical undergraduate experience. I am also seeing students pursue industrial certifications as a way to prove what they can do. ATMAE, SME, and others provide these certifications. Our program requires each of our students to participate in at least one certification exam; usually, the Certified Manufacturing Specialist exam through ATMAE.