Top 10 Mechanical and Related Engineer Jobs in Texas (+ 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.

Texas is a powerhouse for engineering, offering diverse and high-paying opportunities for those interested in mechanical and related fields. With a robust job market and a mean salary for Mechanical Engineers in Texas averaging around $106,000, exploring a career in this sector can lead to a rewarding future.

Top Mechanical and Related Engineer Jobs in Texas

1. Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft using knowledge of engineering and physics, and test prototypes to ensure they meet design specifications. You might specialize in aeronautical design, working with airplanes and helicopters, or astronautical design for space vehicles.

• Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $87,126, with a median salary of $114,773, and top earners reaching $142,160. The mean salary is $114,644.
• Demand & Postings: This role has a medium demand with approximately 864 active job postings and a projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Operations, Problem Solving, Management, Leadership.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Security Clearance (20% of postings), Secret Clearance (11%), Professional Engineer (PE) License (6%).
• Top Employers in Texas: Textron, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, L3Harris Technologies, Raytheon Technologies.
• Career Advancement: You could advance to an Aerospace Engineering Manager (potentially earning $43,635 more), a Systems Architect (General) (+$25,527), or a Software Systems Engineer (+$33,678).

2. Validation Engineer

As a Validation Engineer, you evaluate and maintain machinery and equipment used in manufacturing, often supervising the teams that operate and repair these machines.

• Salary Range: Entry-level salaries begin at $85,422, the median is $106,623, and top earners can reach $148,369. The mean salary is $113,811.
• Demand & Postings: This role has low demand with about 265 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.2%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Operations, Management, Writing. Salary-boosting skills include Commissioning Qualification Validation (CQV), Computer System Validation, and Validation Master Plan.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Certified Quality Engineer (4%), Certified Fraud Examiner (3%), Six Sigma Certification (2%).
• Top Employers in Texas: Apple, AMD, Actalent, Fujifilm, Lonza.
• Career Advancement: Potential paths include Director of Quality Assurance (potentially earning $41,051 more), Director of Manufacturing (+$58,064), or Research and Development Manager (+$26,367).

3. Manufacturing Automation Engineer

A Manufacturing Automation Engineer designs, programs, and improves automated machinery and processes within a manufacturing environment. You’d be responsible for design specifications, documentation, and troubleshooting, often in vehicle manufacturing or food processing plants using robots.

• Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $90,520, with a median of $100,714, and top professionals earning up to $147,307. The mean salary is $112,609.
• Demand & Postings: This position has low demand with around 136 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.2%.
• Top Skills: Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Operations, Problem Solving, Leadership. Salary-boosting skills include Industrial Automation, Automation Systems, and Robotics.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Six Sigma Green Belt (3%), Security Clearance (2%), Six Sigma Certification (1%).
• Top Employers in Texas: SpaceX, Flex, Actalent, Eaton Corporation, Tesla.
• Career Advancement: You could advance to an Automation Engineer (potentially earning $17,238 more) or a Director of Manufacturing (+$64,374).

4. Fuel Cell Engineer

As a Fuel Cell Engineer, you design, evaluate, modify, or construct fuel cell components or systems for various applications, including transportation, stationary power, or portable devices.

• Salary Range: Entry-level positions typically start at $85,013, with a median salary of $114,513, and top earners reaching $139,173. The mean salary is $112,328.
• Demand & Postings: This is a low-demand role with approximately 40 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.1%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Planning, Forecasting.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Project Management Professional Certification (5%), Master Of Business Administration (MBA) (5%), Certified Associate In Project Management (3%).
• Top Employers in Texas: Barrios Technology, Econtrols, Schneider Electric, Fluence, ExxonMobil.

5. Thermal Engineer

A Thermal Engineer specializes in thermodynamics, focusing on heat transfers and energy conversion within various systems and environments.

• Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $81,313, with a median of $98,032, and top professionals earning up to $153,015. The mean salary is $108,906.
• Demand & Postings: This role has low demand with about 256 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.1%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Management, Operations, Innovation, Problem Solving. Salary-boosting skills include Electronics Cooling, FloTHERM (Thermal Analysis Software), and Simcenter Amesim.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (6%), Security Clearance (3%), Microsoft Certified Professional (1%).
• Top Employers in Texas: Amentum, SpaceX, Dell Technologies, AMD, Southwest Research Institute.

6. Mechanical Systems Engineer

As a Mechanical Systems Engineer, you evaluate and optimize the systems used in mechanical engineering, ensuring efficiency and performance.

• Salary Range: Entry-level salaries begin at $68,835, the median is $105,346, and top earners can reach $143,402. The mean salary is $108,712.
• Demand & Postings: This position has low demand with around 180 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.1%.
• Top Skills: Operations, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Problem Solving, Leadership. Mechanical Design is a key salary-boosting skill.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Security Clearance (11%), Professional Engineer (PE) License (6%), 30-Hour OSHA General Industry Card (4%).
• Top Employers in Texas: Insight Global, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Technologies, Iren, Oceaneering.
• Career Advancement: You could advance to a Mechanical Engineering Manager (potentially earning $18,878 more), an Aerospace Engineering Manager (+$45,415), or a Product Design Engineer (+$13,354).

7. Lean Manufacturing Engineer

A Lean Manufacturing Engineer develops and implements LEAN methodologies within manufacturing environments, optimizing processes for quality, efficiency, and cost reduction. You’d lead continuous improvement efforts by reducing tooling costs and improving material flow.

• Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $82,339, with a median of $95,806, and top professionals earning up to $141,138. The mean salary is $108,345.
• Demand & Postings: This role has low demand with about 110 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.2%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Leadership, Operations, Management. Salary-boosting skills include Six Sigma Methodology and Lean Six Sigma.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Six Sigma Green Belt (12%), Six Sigma Black Belt (11%), Six Sigma Certification (9%).
• Top Employers in Texas: Black & Veatch, Volt, GE Vernova, Nvent, Chemours.
• Career Advancement: Potential paths include Lean Manufacturing Manager (potentially earning $13,397 more), Manufacturing Manager (+$17,882), or Manufacturing Engineering Manager (+$27,920).

8. Marine Engineer / Architect

A Marine Engineer or Architect designs, constructs, tests, and maintains ships and other water-going vessels. You might specialize in mechanical systems (engineering) or the basic structure and design of a ship (architecture).

• Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $71,744, with a median salary of $107,591, and top earners reaching $138,231. The mean salary is $107,512.
• Demand & Postings: This role has low demand with approximately 327 active job postings and a projected growth of 1.4%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Operations, Planning, Management, Coordinating.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Professional Engineer (PE) License (12%), Valid Driver’s License (11%), Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card (6%).
• Top Employers in Texas: American Bureau Of Shipping, Core Group Resources, WSP Global, System One, Hatch.
• Career Advancement: You could advance to a Design Engineering Manager (potentially earning $44,608 more), an Engineering Project Manager (+$14,180), or a Director of Construction (+$40,983).

9. Manufacturing Process Engineer

As a Manufacturing Process Engineer, you develop workflow, workstation, and equipment improvement recommendations. You fine-tune manufacturing processes by researching, designing, modifying, and testing methods and equipment, applying knowledge of product design, fabrication, and assembly.

• Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $77,898, with a median of $98,450, and top professionals earning up to $147,858. The mean salary is $106,571.
• Demand & Postings: This role has medium demand with about 1,856 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.2%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Operations, Leadership, Management. Salary-boosting skills include PTC Creo (CAD Suite), Register-Transfer Level, and Static Timing Analysis.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Professional Engineer (PE) License (8%), Security Clearance (5%), Engineer in Training (2%).
• Top Employers in Texas: AMD, Amazon, State Of Texas, Apple, Celestica.
• Career Advancement: Potential paths include Product Design Engineer (potentially earning $14,647 more), Design Engineering Manager (+$34,913), or Mechanical Engineering Manager (+$20,171).

10. Reliability Engineer

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

• Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $77,738, with a median salary of $107,350, and top earners reaching $132,630. The mean salary is $106,541.
• Demand & Postings: This role has medium demand with approximately 829 active job postings and a projected growth of 3.2%.
• Top Skills: Reliability, Operations, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Management. Salary-boosting skills include Reliability Analysis, Mechanical Reliability, and Thermography.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (7%), Security Clearance (3%), Certified Reliability Engineer (2%).
• Top Employers in Texas: SpaceX, Flint Hills Resources, INVISTA, Apple, EPCO.
• Career Advancement: You could advance to a Director of Manufacturing (potentially earning $52,258 more), a Technical Manager / Director (+$15,592), or a Director of Quality Assurance (+$35,245).

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