Design Engineer

Location

Houston, TX

Wage

$79,000 – $126,000/yr

Employment Type

Full-time

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Posted on October 6, 2026

Job Description

Overview

The Design Engineer position focuses on providing 3D models and 2D prints of component and assembly drawings to support manufacturing engineering projects. Candidates will work closely with seasoned experts and are expected to develop skills in SolidWorks and AutoCAD, along with knowledge in fixturing design and GD&T.

Responsibilities

  • Develop 3D SolidWorks models based on reverse-engineering data and measurements.
  • Create and maintain 2D drawings in SharePoint from SolidWorks models.
  • Collaborate with design and development engineering and quality to modify dimensioning and tolerancing criteria.
  • Generate and maintain part numbers for new components, assemblies, or fixtures.
  • Develop and maintain tooling and fixturing models and drawings.
  • Contribute to the development and resolution of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs).
  • Work closely with manufacturing to resolve technical production issues.
  • Support validation of manufacturing processes.
  • Develop advanced engineering techniques for new products and repair processes.
  • Review drawings for accuracy and interface with resources to improve products.
  • Support development of routings, methods, and detailed work instructions.
  • Maintain Bill of Materials and revision control in the ERP system.
  • Create Development First Article Books for product qualification.
  • Complete any special projects as assigned.

Requirements

  • AS Mechanical Drafting or Engineering degree or equivalent experience.
  • 4+ years' experience in an industrial/aerospace gas turbine manufacturing facility.
  • 4+ years' experience in SolidWorks and AutoCAD programs.
  • Experience in GD&T preferred; certification in GD&T is preferred.
  • 4+ years' experience in advanced joining technology including welding and brazing nickel cobalt and chrome-based alloys.
  • Functional experience in advanced manufacturing development of precision metal machining and fabrication.
  • Functional experience in reading engineering drawings, specifically ANSI Y14.5.
  • Knowledge and background in ISO 9000/QS 9000 preferred; training will be provided.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work well in cross-functional teams and in a fast-paced environment.
  • Results-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.

How this job compares in Houston, TX

Pay in context

At roughly $49/hr, this posting sits about 97% above the $25/hr median for welding jobs in Houston, TX — toward the top of a $22–$33/hr middle band drawn from 87 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 89% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in Houston, TX

We're tracking 361 other active welding openings in Houston, TX right now, from 196 different employers. 123 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 1,256 other active welding openings from 562 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Houston, or widen the search to Texas.

MD&A currently has 4 other openings live in Texas, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Austin Industries (34), Welding Shop in Austin, TX (27), and Zachry Group (23). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Pasadena at $36/hr, Dallas at $35/hr, and Midlothian at $35/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Houston, TX

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Design Engineer figures were last recalculated when this page was built.