Mechanical Design EngineerJob DescriptionThe Mechanical Design Engineer will design and develop industrial automated equipment, focusing on safe, cost-effective machine concepts, detailed parts models, and assemblies. This role works on turnkey projects, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver high-quality automated machinery solutions while continually sharpening design expertise.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with a Project Manager and other team members to assess project assignments, review ideas, and define technical requirements.
Engage in direct customer interaction and communication to clarify specifications, gather feedback, and ensure design alignment with customer needs.
Perform machine design of safe and cost-effective concepts, parts models, and assemblies based on customer requirements and project objectives.
Create detailed parts and assembly drawings, including tolerances, and release them to the machine shop for fabrication.
Provide machine shop support by clarifying part detail drawings and addressing design-related questions during fabrication.
Research and select purchase components for machine designs, including pneumatic cylinders, valves, air preparation systems, bearings, motors, drive systems, sensors, and other devices used in automated machinery.
Prepare and maintain bill of material (BoM) documentation for all machine designs and ensure accurate release of BoMs for production.
Interface with and support Assembly, Electrical, and Software Design teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Contribute to equipment layout and overall system design for industrial and automated machinery.
Work on multiple turnkey projects, adapting designs to new and exciting applications while maintaining high quality and safety standards.

Essential Skills

Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer performing 3D design for machine design or industrial equipment, preferably automated equipment or with exposure to automated equipment design.
Mechanical design engineering experience in 3D machine design for industrial or automated equipment.
Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for equipment and machine design; other 3D CAD software experience is acceptable.
Prior 3D modeling experience within CAD software, with the ability to create concepts, parts models, and assemblies.
Ability to research and order purchase content for machine designs, including pneumatic cylinders, valves, air preparation systems, bearings, motors, drive systems, sensors, and other automated machinery components.
Experience creating and managing Bill of Materials (BoM) and releasing BoM documentation for production.
Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and application of tolerances on detailed drawings.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, or at least 4 years of experience as a Design Engineer using SolidWorks for equipment design.
Experience supporting machine shops with part detail drawings and resolving design-related issues.
Experience with equipment design, automated machinery, and equipment layout in an industrial environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Experience designing industrial automated equipment or material handling equipment.
Background in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, and machine design for automated equipment.
Familiarity with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Inventor or similar CAD tools for mechanical design.
Exposure to materials handling and material handling equipment design.
Experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments with exposure to equipment layout and equipment design.
Ability to work independently and hit the ground running with machine designs, concepts, parts models, and assemblies.
Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with project teams, customers, and cross-functional departments.
Interest in becoming a subject matter expert in automated equipment and turnkey machinery design.
Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to new and varied design challenges on a regular basis.

Work EnvironmentThe role is based in an office environment with regular interaction on the shop floor to support fabrication, assembly, and testing of automated equipment. You will work in a small, tight-knit company setting where collaboration is close and you can see your designs move from concept through to completed turnkey machinery. The environment offers exposure to modern CAD tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Inventor, and close coordination with Assembly, Electrical, and Software Design teams. You will handle bill of materials documentation and work directly with the machine shop, gaining hands-on insight into how your designs are manufactured and assembled, while enjoying the opportunity to work on new and exciting projects every week.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lewis Center, OH.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.87 - $48.08/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Lewis Center,OH.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Mechanical Design Engineer @ Actalent

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