Designer

Job Title: Designer Job Description This role focuses on designing standard and customized metal fabrications using SolidWorks in a collaborative, creative environment. You will serve as the team's SolidWorks subject matter expert and create detailed designs that support a heavy industrial fabrication shop. The position offers a strong work/life balance, competitive benefits for a smaller organization, and the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects that showcase both technical and creative skills. Responsibilities Design standard and customized metal fabrications using SolidWorks, ensuring accuracy and manufacturability. Prepare detailed drawings of components and assemblies through SolidWorks, including dimensions, tolerances, and material specifications. Act as the team's subject matter expert in SolidWorks, providing guidance, best practices, and support to colleagues. Collaborate closely with the shop team and leadership to review designs and implement modifications as needed. Interpret and work from blueprints, engineering drawings, and technical documentation to develop or update designs. Design heavy weldments and sheet metal components suitable for a heavy industrial fabrication environment. Support projects ranging in duration from short two-day tasks to longer two-month initiatives, adapting to changing priorities. Apply mechanical design principles and mathematical skills to solve design challenges and optimize fabrication processes. Partner with welding and fabrication personnel to ensure designs align with welding practices, fabrication capabilities, and safety considerations. Maintain a high level of detail and accuracy in all design work while incorporating creative solutions to meet customer and production needs. Essential Skills 1-3 years of experience in SolidWorks design, with a focus on mechanical design. Experience designing heavy weldments and sheet metal components. Proficiency in preparing detailed SolidWorks drawings for fabrication. Ability to read and interpret blueprints and engineering drawings. Strong mechanical aptitude and mathematical skills applied to design work. Detail-oriented approach with the ability to produce accurate, manufacturable designs. Subject matter expertise in SolidWorks or the ability to quickly become the primary SolidWorks expert on the team. 2-3 years of experience in heavy industrial sheet metal fabrication. Ability to collaborate effectively with shop teams and leadership on design modifications. Additional Skills & Qualifications Certification such as CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) is a strong plus. Experience in welding or experience working closely with welding processes is a significant advantage. Experience with sheet metal design in a fabrication environment. Associate's degree related to SolidWorks, mechanical design, or a similar technical discipline is preferred. Experience in the wood industry with a desire to transition into metal fabrication will be considered. Creative mindset with the ability to balance aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturability. Work Environment The role is based in a heavy industrial fabrication shop that focuses on welding and metal fabrication, while the day-to-day work is primarily computer and desk-based using SolidWorks. You will work closely with production and welding teams in a hands-on, practical environment, yet spend most of your time in a design setting. The organization emphasizes work/life balance and does not require weekend work. Additional welding stations have been added to support daytime production and avoid night shifts. The company offers competitive benefits for its size, a stable and well-established customer base, and a workplace culture reflected in long average employee tenure. #ACTmneng26 Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Minneapolis, MN. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Minneapolis,MN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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. Actalent