The engineer who designs internal combustion or electric engines — covering thermodynamics, mechanical layout, materials, and the technical work that turns concept and target requirements into a buildable engine. Half mechanical engineer, half specialist in propulsion.
Most days tend to involve a blend of CAD work, simulation, and design reviews — modeling components and systems, running thermodynamic and structural simulations, and partnering with manufacturing, controls, and adjacent vehicle teams. You'll often spend part of the time on prototype and test work that engine development depends on.
The harder part is often the long product cycles of engine development combined with the multi-disciplinary nature of the work. You'll typically coordinate with controls, materials, manufacturing, and aftertreatment teams in development cycles that can run years before an engine reaches production.
People who tend to thrive here are technically rigorous, comfortable with the long arc of engine programs, and skilled at cross-disciplinary engineering. The trade-off is the long cycles and the cumulative pressure of decisions that affect performance, durability, and emissions for the engine's service life. If you find satisfaction in engineering the propulsion that powers vehicles or equipment for years, the role can be a strong destination in mechanical engineering.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Engineering roles →The engineer who designs internal combustion or electric engines — covering thermodynamics, mechanical layout, materials, and the technical work that turns concept and target requirements into a buildable engine. Half mechanical engineer, half specialist in propulsion.
Median pay for an Engine Designer is about $102K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $69K to $161K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, and Complex Problem Solving.
Most people in this role hold a bachelor's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 9.1% through 2034, with roughly 286,760 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Systems Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer, and Project Engineer.
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