Top 10 Mechanical & Related Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (+ Salaries)

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

Wisconsin’s engineering sector offers robust opportunities for those interested in mechanical and related fields. With a diverse range of roles, from designing advanced optics to developing robotics, you can find a fulfilling career here. Many of these positions offer strong earning potential, with median salaries often exceeding $100,000, making Wisconsin an excellent state to launch your engineering career.

Discover High-Paying Engineering Careers in Wisconsin

1. Optical / Laser Engineer

An Optical or Laser Engineer researches and develops technology that uses the science of light (optics). Optical technology includes fiber optic cables, which enable high-speed internet connections across long distances, and lasers, which can be used to make very small incisions and measurements. You’ll work closely with scientists and engineers from other fields on advances in technology.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $86,215, with median earnings reaching $119,470, and top professionals earning up to $175,434.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 25 active job postings, and projected growth of 3.0%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Detail Oriented, Lifting Ability, Research, Mathematics.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Electro-Optical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Laser Diode.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Six Sigma Green Belt (8%), Security Clearance (4%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Leonardo DRS, ManpowerGroup, Trane Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Ses Government Solutions.

2. Aerospace Engineer

An Aerospace Engineer designs aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft using knowledge of engineering and physics, and tests prototypes to see if they work according to design. You may specialize in aeronautical design and work with airplanes and helicopters, or specialize in astronautical design and work with vehicles used in outer space. You might also specialize in a particular area of design, such as aerodynamic flow or navigation.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $90,474, with median earnings reaching $119,000, and top professionals earning up to $160,876.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 35 active job postings, and projected growth of 3.7%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Mentorship, Research, Problem Solving, Operations.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (20%), Professional Engineer (PE) License (9%), DO-178B/C (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification) (6%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Mead & Hunt, Westwood Professional Services, Gulfstream Aerospace, Entegee, Noblis.
• Career Advancement Paths: Aerospace Engineering Manager (+$43,635), Systems Architect (General) (+$25,527), Software Systems Engineer (+$33,678).

3. Thermal Engineer

A Thermal Engineer specializes in thermodynamics used in the fields of heat transfers and energy conversion.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $85,704, with median earnings reaching $118,728, and top professionals earning up to $159,163.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 32 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Research, Problem Solving, Communication, Innovation, Leadership.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Electronics Cooling, FloTHERM (Thermal Analysis Software), Simcenter Amesim.
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: A.O. Smith, Faith Technologies, Harley-Davidson, Trane Technologies, Smithgroup/Jjr.

4. Mechanical Systems Engineer

A Mechanical Systems Engineer evaluates and optimizes the systems used in mechanical engineering.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $85,232, with median earnings reaching $111,690, and top professionals earning up to $153,609.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 23 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Strong Work Ethic, Self-Motivation, Management.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Mechanical Design.
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Jobot, Northstar Medical Radioisotopes, Kelly Services, M-B Companies, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Career Advancement Paths: Mechanical Engineering Manager (+$18,878), Aerospace Engineering Manager (+$45,415), Product Design Engineer (+$13,354).

5. Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs robots, maintains them, develops new applications for them, and conducts research to expand the potential of robotics. This role utilizes a combination of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. Common coding languages include C++ and Python.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $73,486, with median earnings reaching $103,484, and top professionals earning up to $155,589.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 78 active job postings, and projected growth of 3.0%.
• Top Skills: Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Research, Sales, Problem Solving.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Python (Programming Language), Kinematics, Motion Planning.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (4%), Microsoft Certified Professional (3%), Certified Welding Inspector (1%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Plexus, The Recruiting Group, Jobot, Kelly Services, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
• Career Advancement Paths: Robotics Software Engineer (+$39,881), Computer Vision Engineer (+$54,523), Software Systems Engineer (+$36,683).

6. Marine Engineer / Architect

A Marine Engineer or Architect designs, constructs, tests, and maintains ships and other water-going vessels. You may specialize in marine engineering and work on the mechanical systems that propel vehicles, or specialize in marine or naval architecture and focus on the basic structure and design of a ship. You might also specialize in a particular type of vessel, or a system or process involved in ship design.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $74,279, with median earnings reaching $107,672, and top professionals earning up to $144,049.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 52 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.4%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Team Leadership, Leadership, Verbal Communication Skills, Computer Literacy.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (10%), Secret Clearance (6%), Professional Engineer (PE) License (6%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Insight Global, Fincantieri S.P.A., Tmmg, Brunswick, Michels Corporation.
• Career Advancement Paths: Design Engineering Manager (+$44,608), Engineering Project Manager (+$14,180), Director of Construction (+$40,983).

7. Reliability Engineer

A Reliability Engineer evaluates and analyzes the reliability of manufacturing and production equipment and processes. You’ll identify proactive maintenance requirements and process improvements, working to maximize reliable performance and prevent equipment or process failures.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $79,288, with median earnings reaching $102,761, and top professionals earning up to $127,377.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Medium with approximately 156 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Reliability, Leadership, Operations, Communication, Planning.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Reliability Analysis, Mechanical Reliability, Thermography.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (8%), Certified Reliability Engineer (4%), Project Management Professional Certification (4%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Generac Power Systems, Packaging Corporation of America, Actalent, Lilly, Georgia-Pacific.
• Career Advancement Paths: Director of Manufacturing (+$52,258), Technical Manager / Director (+$15,592), Director of Quality Assurance (+$35,245).

8. Fuel Cell Engineer

A Fuel Cell Engineer designs, evaluates, modifies, or constructs fuel cell components or systems for transportation, stationary, or portable applications.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $59,824, with median earnings reaching $102,659, and top professionals earning up to $148,317.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 32 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Planning, Leadership, Presentations.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: LEED Accredited Professional (AP) (9%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Clarios, Techtronic Industries North America, Milwaukee Tool, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Arby’s.

9. Manufacturing Test Engineer

A Manufacturing Test Engineer supports an efficient manufacturing process by developing and executing procedures to test the efficiency of machinery within a manufacturing environment. You’ll assess and analyze production test data, suggest corrective actions for identified deficiencies, set up routine maintenance schedules, and propose new processes or upgrades to enhance overall efficiency.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $70,772, with median earnings reaching $100,039, and top professionals earning up to $144,364.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Low with approximately 31 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Leadership, Communication, Problem Solving, Management.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Test Engineering, Test Equipment.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Six Sigma Green Belt (10%), Six Sigma Black Belt (6%), Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) (3%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Eaton Corporation, Palmer Group, Plexus, Actalent, Ler Techforce.
• Career Advancement Paths: Software Systems Engineer (+$34,495), Systems Engineer (+$27,611).

10. Automotive Engineer

An Automotive Engineer creates and improves mechanisms for automotive components.

• Salary Range: You can expect an entry-level salary around $78,463, with median earnings reaching $92,632, and top professionals earning up to $129,429.
• Demand & Growth: Demand for this role in Wisconsin is Medium with approximately 130 active job postings, and projected growth of 1.8%.
• Top Skills: Communication, Problem Solving, Sales, Customer Service, Innovation.
• Salary-Boosting Skills: Engineering Design Process, Mechanical Engineering.
• Certifications that Boost Pay: Professional Engineer (PE) License (11%), Valid Driver’s License (10%), American Institute Of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification (2%).
• Top Employers in Wisconsin: Harley-Davidson, HNTB, Sierra Pacific Windows, AVI-SPL, Actalent.
• Career Advancement Paths: Design Engineering Manager (+$32,023), Mechanical Engineering Manager (+$17,281), Electrical Engineering Manager (+$22,834).

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