Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical EngineerJob Description This role focuses on sustaining and improving battery testing equipment, test stands, and supporting infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and high-performance test operations. The mechanical engineer will diagnose and resolve equipment failures, drive root cause analysis, and implement long-term design improvements in collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams. Responsibilities + Diagnose and troubleshoot failures in battery testing equipment, test stands, and supporting infrastructure to restore safe and reliable operation. + Perform detailed root cause analysis on recurring issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to eliminate failure modes. + Support technicians and engineering teams in maintaining safe, efficient, and reliable test operations across multiple test stands and systems. + Repair, replace, and optimize sensors, instrumentation, and mechanical components to improve performance and durability. + Troubleshoot and maintain air, fluid, thermal, and pressure management systems within test environments. + Improve system reliability, stability, uptime, and overall test stand performance through systematic problem-solving and continuous improvement. + Identify recurring failure modes and collaborate with design teams to implement long-term improvements, redesigns, and design-for-reliability enhancements. + Maintain and update CAD models, bills of materials (BOMs), work instructions, repair records, and technical documentation to reflect current configurations and standards. + Optimize sensor integration, data acquisition systems, and test infrastructure performance to ensure accurate and robust testing. + Collaborate effectively with test, controls, electrical, and other cross-functional engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions. + Apply structured problem-solving techniques while balancing speed, rigor, and safety in a fast-paced environment. + Communicate findings, recommendations, and status updates clearly to stakeholders, technicians, and engineering peers. Essential Skills + At least 5 years of experience in sustaining engineering, mechanical design, or test engineering with significant hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis work. + Strong hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills for complex mechanical and test systems. + Proficiency in SolidWorks or similar CAD tools such as NX for mechanical design and documentation. + Experience working with sensors, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems in test or industrial environments. + Knowledge of air, fluid, thermal, and mechanical systems relevant to test stands and industrial equipment. + Background supporting industrial, manufacturing, battery, or energy systems. + Ability to collaborate effectively with test, controls, electrical, and cross-functional engineering teams. + Strong focus on improving equipment reliability, uptime, and overall system performance. + Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to balance speed, rigor, and safety. + Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment. + Self-driven mindset with a passion for solving complex technical problems. Additional Skills & Qualifications + Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) tools and methods is a plus. + Experience integrating sensors and instrumentation into complex mechanical or test systems. + Exposure to battery testing, energy systems, or related high-performance test environments. + Experience maintaining and improving technical documentation such as BOMs, work instructions, and repair records. + Comfort working closely with technicians and operators to translate field issues into engineering solutions. Work Environment This role is fully onsite in Berkeley and centers around a hands-on test and engineering environment. You will work directly with battery testing equipment, test stands, and associated air, fluid, thermal, and pressure management systems. The position involves frequent interaction with test, controls, electrical, and other engineering teams, as well as technicians operating the equipment. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and continuous improvement of test infrastructure and equipment performance. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Berkeley, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $80.00/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 Berkeley,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 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.