Mechanical Test Hardware Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Test Development Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing and developing mechanical test fixtures, test stands, and specialized test equipment to support rigorous mechanical testing of high-reliability, high-safety products. The Test Development Engineer will own the engineering design, integration, and commissioning of testbeds and tooling used to evaluate prototype designs, reduce technical risk, and advance technology readiness levels. The position combines hands-on mechanical design, manufacturing oversight, test execution, and data analysis to drive iterative improvements in product performance and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, and specialized testbeds used for mechanical testing of prototype systems, assemblies, and components.
• Assist the test team in executing mechanical tests, including setting up equipment, running tests, recording results, and analyzing test data to inform redesign and improvement efforts.
• Lead or support the engineering design, integration, and commissioning of test setups, tooling, and handling equipment to reduce technical risk and advance technology readiness level (TRL).
• Provide oversight for manufacturing, integration, and testing activities, ensuring that test hardware and systems meet high reliability and high safety standards.
• Evaluate prototype performance and test results to facilitate rapid iteration of design, build, and testing cycles.
• Develop mechanical and physical concepts and support the development of processes to create or identify mechanical solutions for testing and verification efforts.
• Gather, collect, and document applicable requirements, interfaces, design bases, and design criteria by coordinating with key stakeholders and systems engineers.
• Support the identification and application of relevant industry codes and standards under the direction of project leads and systems engineers.
• Plan and perform analyses to assess mechanical test fixtures and systems, ensuring they can perform their intended functions and meet technical specifications and design requirements.
• Develop innovative mechanical solutions to refine and deploy new concepts, technologies, and designs, including work with prototype products made of stainless steel and graphite.
• Integrate design activities across internal engineering team members, external partners, and suppliers to ensure cohesive and robust test system designs.
• Perform scoping and sizing calculations to downselect design features and ensure compliance with design requirements and consensus codes and standards.
• Create and maintain CAD-generated engineering models, drawings, and related configuration-controlled design data.
• Assess mechanical test systems and mechanical prototypes for manufacturability, assembly, and integration considerations, providing feedback to project leads and manufacturing teams.
• Write and develop comprehensive design documentation, including design basis documents, technical reports, calculations, and drawings in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Develop Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for analytical tools and support the qualification and validation of the engineering toolset.
• Perform work in accordance with established quality procedures for design and configuration management to ensure project quality requirements are consistently met.
• Provide independent reviews and acceptance reviews of engineering deliverables, test data, and technical documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• At least 5–10 years of experience in similar industries and roles involving mechanical engineering design and development.
• Mechanical engineering design and development experience within high reliability, high quality, or high safety programs.
• Demonstrated experience designing test beds and test fixtures for mechanical testing applications.
• Hands-on experience executing mechanical tests, recording test data, and evaluating test results to support redesign and optimization efforts.
• Proficiency with engineering hand calculations to support sizing, analysis, and verification of mechanical designs.
• Experience using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software; familiarity with Siemens NX and Teamcenter is valued, though other CAD/PLM platforms are acceptable.
• Hardware ownership experience, including oversight of manufacturing and testing activities for mechanical components or systems.
• At least one year of hands-on experience developing and delivering hardware or manufacturing processes in a production environment.
• Experience with mechanical testing, mechanical test fixtures, test stand design, and test development for hardware systems.
• Ability to interpret and work with pressure vessel and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) for mechanical or fluid systems.
• Strong skills in mechanical design, test engineering, and troubleshooting of mechanical test setups and equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with designing and developing mechanical or fluid systems, assemblies, or components is a plus.
• Familiarity with ground support equipment, test equipment, and hardware test methods is beneficial.
• Experience working with high-reliability and high-safety products and understanding of associated standards and expectations.
• Knowledge of consensus industry codes and standards relevant to mechanical design, pressure systems, and testing.
• Ability to develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including reports, drawings, and design basis documents.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative mechanical solutions and refine complex concepts.
• Effective collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering teams, project leads, systems engineers, partners, and suppliers.
• Attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset, with experience working under formal design and configuration management procedures.

Work Environment

The role is primarily office-based in an engineering and test-focused environment that supports both design work and hands-on interaction with hardware. The engineer will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including test engineers, systems engineers, and manufacturing personnel, to develop and validate mechanical test systems and prototypes. Work involves frequent use of CAD and PLM tools, technical documentation systems, and collaboration platforms, along with periodic time in lab or test areas to support mechanical testing and integration activities. The organization is growing rapidly, supported by significant private and public funding, and is progressing toward becoming a public company, offering opportunities to contribute to impactful, high-visibility projects in a dynamic and innovative setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $75.00/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 10, 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 ziprecruiter.com 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.