Top 10 Mechanical and Related Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (+ Salaries)

Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of April 2026.

Considering a career in mechanical and related engineering in Minnesota? This field offers a robust job market with high demand for skilled professionals, particularly in general mechanical engineering, which currently boasts over 1,200 active job postings. From designing cutting-edge robotics to optimizing manufacturing processes, these roles offer competitive salaries, with median earnings often exceeding $100,000, making Minnesota a prime location to launch or advance your engineering career.

Explore Top Mechanical and Related Engineer Jobs in Minnesota

1. Thermal Engineer

A Thermal Engineer specializes in the principles of thermodynamics, focusing on heat transfers and energy conversion in various applications. If you’re fascinated by how things heat up, cool down, and transfer energy, this role could be a great fit.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $85,704, with a median salary of $118,728, and top earners reaching up to $159,163. The mean salary is $120,360.
Demand Level: Low (18 active postings) | Projected Growth: 2.1%
Top Skills: Operations, Communication, Innovation, Management, Reliability
Salary-Boosting Skills: Electronics Cooling, FloTHERM (Thermal Analysis Software), Simcenter Amesim
Certifications that Boost Pay: Engineer in Training (17%), Security Clearance (11%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Trane Technologies, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Xcel Energy, Honeywell International, Cordia Corporation

2. Mechanical Systems Engineer

A Mechanical Systems Engineer evaluates and optimizes the systems used in mechanical engineering. You’ll be responsible for ensuring mechanical systems are efficient, reliable, and meet specific performance criteria.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $85,232, with a median salary of $111,690, and top earners reaching up to $153,609. The mean salary is $116,791.
Demand Level: Low (36 active postings) | Projected Growth: 2.1%
Top Skills: Communication, Management, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Planning, Leadership
Salary-Boosting Skills: Mechanical Design
Certifications that Boost Pay: Security Clearance (17%), Professional Engineer (PE) License (14%), LEED Accredited Professional (AP) (3%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Honeywell International, Meta, Cirrus Aircraft, GPAC, Actalent
Career Advancement Paths: Mechanical Engineering Manager (+$18,878), Aerospace Engineering Manager (+$45,415), Product Design Engineer (+$13,354)

3. Robotics Engineer

As a Robotics Engineer, you’ll design, maintain, and develop new applications for robots, conducting research to expand the potential of robotics. This role combines electrical, mechanical, and software engineering, often utilizing coding languages like C++ and Python.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $73,486, with a median salary of $103,484, and top earners reaching up to $155,589. The mean salary is $110,096.
Demand Level: Low (44 active postings) | Projected Growth: 1.5%
Top Skills: Problem Solving, Communication, Leadership, Planning, Decision Making
Salary-Boosting Skills: Python (Programming Language), Kinematics, Motion Planning
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (5%), Teaching Certificate (2%), Salesforce Certified Administrator (2%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Toro, Intricon Corp, Relentless Academy, 3M, Anywhere Real Estate
Career Advancement Paths: Robotics Software Engineer (+$39,881), Computer Vision Engineer (+$54,523), Software Systems Engineer (+$36,683)

4. Marine Engineer / Architect

A Marine Engineer or Architect designs, constructs, tests, and maintains ships and other water-going vessels. You might specialize in marine engineering, focusing on mechanical propulsion systems, or in naval architecture, concentrating on a ship’s basic structure and design.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $74,279, with a median salary of $107,672, and top earners reaching up to $144,049. The mean salary is $109,471.
Demand Level: Low (15 active postings) | Projected Growth: 1.3%
Top Skills: Communication, Leadership, Innovation, Problem Solving, Presentations
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (20%), Secret Clearance (7%), Professional Engineer (PE) License (7%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Target, Polaris, American Cruise Lines, Actalent, CyberCoders
Career Advancement Paths: Design Engineering Manager (+$44,608), Engineering Project Manager (+$14,180), Director of Construction (+$40,983)

5. Mechanical Engineer (General)

As a general Mechanical Engineer, you will research, design, develop, construct, and test a wide array of mechanical devices, from power generators to household appliances and surgical equipment. You might develop new devices or improve existing ones for greater efficiency.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $78,096, with a median salary of $104,574, and top earners reaching up to $133,665. The mean salary is $108,510.
Demand Level: High (1,222 active postings) | Projected Growth: 2.1%
Top Skills: Communication, Leadership, Management, Problem Solving, Coordinating
Salary-Boosting Skills: Ansys Simulation Software, Finite Element Methods
Certifications that Boost Pay: Professional Engineer (PE) License (7%), Valid Driver’s License (3%), Security Clearance (3%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: ManpowerGroup, Actalent, GPAC, Seagate Technology, Cmta
Career Advancement Paths: Mechanical Engineering Manager (+$29,222), Mechanical Design Engineer (+$11,743), Automotive Engineer (+$11,941)

6. Fuel Cell Engineer

A Fuel Cell Engineer designs, evaluates, modifies, or constructs fuel cell components or systems for various applications, including transportation, stationary power, and portable devices. This is a growing field focused on sustainable energy solutions.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $59,824, with a median salary of $102,659, and top earners reaching up to $148,317. The mean salary is $105,339.
Demand Level: Low (7 active postings) | Projected Growth: 2.1%
Top Skills: Problem Solving, Coordinating, Leadership, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication
Top Employers in Minnesota: Boston Scientific, Caterpillar, Crosscountry Freight Solutions

7. Manufacturing Test Engineer

A Manufacturing Test Engineer supports efficient manufacturing processes by developing and executing procedures to test machinery efficiency. You’ll assess production test data, suggest corrective actions, and implement routine maintenance schedules to enhance overall efficiency.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $70,772, with a median salary of $100,039, and top earners reaching up to $144,364. The mean salary is $104,860.
Demand Level: Low (37 active postings) | Projected Growth: 1.6%
Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Leadership, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Operations
Salary-Boosting Skills: Test Engineering, Test Equipment
Certifications that Boost Pay: Security Clearance (5%), Certified LabVIEW Architect (3%), Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) (3%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Actalent, Honeywell International, Northrop Grumman, Trane Technologies, Inspire Medical Systems
Career Advancement Paths: Software Systems Engineer (+$34,495), Systems Engineer (+$27,611)

8. Manufacturing Automation Engineer

As a Manufacturing Automation Engineer, you’ll design, program, and improve automated machinery and processes within manufacturing environments. This often involves working with robots or machines in industries like vehicle manufacturing and food processing plants.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $83,917, with a median salary of $100,917, and top earners reaching up to $129,739. The mean salary is $104,459.
Demand Level: Low (46 active postings) | Projected Growth: 1.6%
Top Skills: Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Operations, Problem Solving, Detail Oriented
Salary-Boosting Skills: Industrial Automation, Automation Systems, Robotics
Certifications that Boost Pay: Six Sigma Certification (4%), Lean Manufacturing Certification (2%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Medtronic, Keb America, Covidien Japan Inc, Anteris Technologies, Geotek
Career Advancement Paths: Automation Engineer (+$17,238), Director of Manufacturing (+$64,374)

9. Aerospace Engineer

An Aerospace Engineer designs aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft, applying knowledge of engineering and physics to test prototypes. You might specialize in aeronautical design (airplanes, helicopters) or astronautical design (space vehicles), or focus on specific areas like aerodynamic flow or navigation.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $90,474, with a median salary of $102,553, and top earners reaching up to $112,671. The mean salary is $103,689.
Demand Level: Medium (285 active postings) | Projected Growth: 3.8%
Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Verbal Communication Skills, Operations, Presentations
Certifications that Boost Pay: Product Certification (16%), DO-178B/C (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification) (6%), Security Clearance (5%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Cpp Minneapolis Operation, Cirrus Aircraft, Honeywell International, Burns & McDonnell, Garmin International
Career Advancement Paths: Aerospace Engineering Manager (+$43,635), Systems Architect (General) (+$25,527), Software Systems Engineer (+$33,678)

10. Reliability Engineer

A Reliability Engineer evaluates and analyzes the reliability of manufacturing and production equipment and processes. Your work will involve identifying proactive maintenance requirements and process improvements to maximize performance and prevent failures.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $90,348, with a median salary of $103,542, and top earners reaching up to $122,464. The mean salary is $103,573.
Demand Level: Medium (167 active postings) | Projected Growth: 1.6%
Top Skills: Reliability, Operations, Management, Leadership, Planning
Salary-Boosting Skills: Reliability Analysis, Mechanical Reliability, Thermography
Certifications that Boost Pay: Engineer in Training (6%), Six Sigma Green Belt (4%), Certified Reliability Engineer (4%)
Top Employers in Minnesota: Cargill, Xcel Energy, TE Connectivity, Medtronic, Flint Hills Resources
Career Advancement Paths: Director of Manufacturing (+$52,258), Technical Manager / Director (+$15,592), Director of Quality Assurance (+$35,245)

Ready to dive into a career in mechanical or related engineering? Exploring these roles is just the first step. To discover more about these and other exciting career paths, and to connect with opportunities that match your skills and ambitions, create a free profile on Tallo today.

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