Design Release Engineer

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionJob Title: Non-Rotating Components Design Release EngineerJob DescriptionThe Non-Rotating Components Design Release Engineer owns the end-to-end design, development, validation, configuration control, and production release of structural components supporting advanced aerospace propulsion systems. This role focuses on non-rotating propulsion hardware such as engine casings, housings, frames, mounting structures, brackets, exhaust structures, ducting, fuel-system structures, and external engine structures. The engineer takes components from initial concept through production release, ensuring that designs meet structural, thermal, vibration, durability, manufacturability, and system interface requirements while collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams.ResponsibilitiesOwn the design and development of non-rotating engine and propulsion structural components, including casings, housings, frames, mounts, brackets, exhaust structures, ducting, and external engine structures.Develop and refine 3D CAD models and detailed engineering drawings to accurately capture design intent and functional requirements.Establish component geometry, tolerances, GD&T, and interface requirements to ensure proper fit, function, and integration with surrounding hardware.Evaluate structural loads, thermal effects, vibration, durability, fatigue, and mechanical interfaces to ensure robust and reliable component performance.Coordinate with CAE and FEA engineers to validate structural performance and support analytical assessments and design optimization.Release drawings, CAD models, bills of materials (BOMs), calculations, specifications, and interface documentation within configuration-controlled systems.Own or support engineering change processes including ECR and ECN activities, ensuring accurate documentation and traceability of design changes.Maintain configuration control within PLM/PDM systems, ensuring that product data, revisions, and documentation remain current and accurate.Present component status, technical risks, mitigation plans, and schedules during engineering reviews and formal gate reviews.Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure parts are manufacturable, cost-effective, and ready for production, incorporating DFM/DFA principles.Support fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly design reviews to align component designs with manufacturing capabilities and quality requirements.Support production readiness reviews and first article inspections to confirm that hardware meets design specifications and quality standards.Ensure compatibility and proper integration with rotating assemblies, fuel systems, controls, electrical harnessing, exhaust and thermal systems, and airframe interfaces.Support development and production testing activities, including test setup reviews and hardware readiness assessments.Evaluate test data, identify performance or reliability issues, and troubleshoot hardware problems in collaboration with test and quality teams.Perform or coordinate root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to resolve hardware failures and prevent recurrence.Capture lessons learned from development, testing, and production and incorporate improvements into future designs and processes.Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers or technicians when appropriate, helping build team capability and design best practices.Communicate design intent, technical requirements, and design changes clearly to multidisciplinary teams across design, systems, manufacturing, test, and quality engineering.Support hardware troubleshooting, failure analysis, and continuous improvement efforts across both development and production programs.Essential Skills38 years of mechanical design or structural engineering experience, with a focus on structural components and assemblies.Strong understanding of structural mechanical design fundamentals, including load paths, structural durability, stress considerations, vibration, and thermal effects.Experience designing structural components and assemblies, rather than primarily rotating hardware.Proficiency with 3D CAD software, with SolidWorks strongly preferred for modeling and detailing mechanical components.Ability to create and interpret detailed engineering drawings that clearly define geometry, tolerances, and interfaces.Strong working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, mechanical interfaces, and drawing release practices.Experience taking mechanical hardware from concept and preliminary design through engineering release and production readiness.Familiarity with BOMs, ECRs, ECNs, PLM/PDM systems, and configuration control processes in an engineering environment.Experience supporting design reviews and engineering change processes, including documentation and stakeholder communication.Strong mechanical design fundamentals and analytical skills for evaluating structural loads, thermal stress, vibration, fatigue, and durability.Understanding of structural load paths, static structural analysis, thermal stress, vibration, fatigue, durability, and mechanical interfaces.Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) mindset, with the ability to incorporate manufacturability considerations into designs.Ability to work effectively across design engineering, product engineering, systems engineering, performance engineering, manufacturing engineering, test engineering, and quality engineering.Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills for addressing complex hardware and system-level issues.Ability to communicate design intent and technical requirements clearly to multidisciplinary teams.Ability to support hardware troubleshooting and failure analysis in both development and production contexts.Experience with engineering documentation and configuration-controlled environments.Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience with aerospace propulsion or gas turbine engine hardware.Design experience with engine casings and housings, structural frames, engine mounts, brackets, exhaust structures and ducting, and external engine structures.Aerospace structures design experience, particularly in defense or propulsion applications.Familiarity with FEA and CAE tools and structural analysis methods to support design validation.Experience with welded and fabricated structural assemblies, including design considerations for welding and fabrication processes.Manufacturing knowledge involving machining, welding, fabrication, and assembly of structural components.Experience working within an AS9100-regulated environment and adhering to aerospace quality standards.Experience supporting both development and production programs, including transitions from prototype to full-rate production.Experience supporting testing, failure analysis, and root cause investigations for mechanical hardware.Defense industry experience and familiarity with defense-focused propulsion technology environments.Supplier interface and audit experience, including supplier visits and participation in quality or process audits.Interest in and ability to develop expertise within a growing defense technology and advanced propulsion environment.Work EnvironmentThis is an on-site position that involves working across office, laboratory, manufacturing, and test environments. The role includes regular interaction with production hardware, test equipment, and cross-functional engineering teams in manufacturing, test, quality, systems, and other disciplines. The position may require lifting materials or components weighing up to 50 pounds as part of hands-on engineering and hardware support activities. Travel is approximately 015%, typically for supplier visits, testing, audits, or other program-related activities. The role involves access to confidential and export-controlled information and requires the ability to work within ITAR requirements, supporting advanced defense and aerospace propulsion technology in a highly collaborative, technically rigorous environment.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/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)Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Auburn Hills,MI.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.