Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Design Engineer designs, develops, and revises components and systems that meet customer expectations for performance, quality, cost, and delivery. This role includes the generalized design of complete machines as well as specialized design of components such as work equipment, undercarriage systems including hydraulic, electrical, cooling, and engine installations, and various attachments. The engineer contributes across the full product lifecycle, from concept and prototype through pre-series production and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop machine systems and components, including work equipment, undercarriage systems, hydraulic and electrical systems, cooling systems, engine installations, and attachments to meet performance, quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Create detailed drawings, design parts, specify components, and build assemblies using 3D CAD software while adhering to relevant engineering and industry standards.
• Prepare clear and concise written communications, including technical memos and documentation such as Parts and Service News, Operation Manuals, and Shop Manuals.
• Discuss, negotiate, and resolve specification issues with manufacturing teams and suppliers during prototype development and pre-series production, taking into account manufacturing capabilities and limitations.
• Conduct formal design reviews to ensure project quality, cost, and delivery objectives are met, and present design concepts, progress, and technical decisions in meetings.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques to enhance product quality, reduce costs, and shorten lead times throughout the design and development process.
• Maintain effective engineering change control by preparing and processing engineering release letters and releasing drawings into bills of material using systems such as GDMS and SAP.
• Collaborate and interface with other internal groups and external suppliers to exchange technical information, align on policies, and ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Support production, service, and quality assurance departments by investigating and resolving product and process issues, determining root causes, and planning countermeasures with thorough documentation.
• Identify, recognize, and document new technologies, prepare information for potential patent applications, and propose new features and design ideas that can improve market share and profitability.
• Travel to machine worksites, domestically and internationally, to participate in surveys, investigate field problems, understand real-world applications, gather customer expectations, and evaluate proposed countermeasures.
• Utilize project management skills to coordinate design activities, manage timelines, and support successful delivery of new product development projects.
• Incorporate weldment and integration considerations into designs, ensuring that structures, brackets, hoses, tubes, and light fabrication components meet functional and durability requirements.
• Apply GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) practices to ensure accurate, repeatable, and manufacturable designs across components and assemblies.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or equivalent) with approximately 35 years of relevant experience, or an Associates degree with sufficient equivalent experience.
• Strong proficiency in core engineering principles, including structural mechanics, hydraulics, heat transfer, electricity, ergonomics, and 3D CAD modeling.
• Hands-on experience with 3D CAD software, specifically Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 or 4.0, for designing parts, assemblies, and complete systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for analysis, documentation, and presentations.
• Solid knowledge of engineering standards related to drawing practice, dimensioning and tolerancing, drawing symbols, and welding practice.
• Understanding and practical use of ISO and SAE standards in design and documentation.
• Experience applying GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) to ensure proper fit, function, and manufacturability of components.
• Demonstrated mechanical design experience, particularly in systems design and integration of mechanical components.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, with the ability to interpret and apply engineering principles to real-world applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Creo for 3D modeling and design is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with Windchill or similar product data management systems is beneficial.
• Experience in new product development, including concept generation, prototype support, and pre-series production activities.
• Knowledge of hoses, tubes, brackets, and light fabrication structures, including their design, routing, and integration into larger systems.
• Experience in weldment design and integration within mechanical structures.
• Exposure to project management practices, including planning, coordination, and tracking of engineering tasks.
• Experience with systems design, integrating mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and structural elements into cohesive machine architectures.
• Understanding of finite element analysis (FEA) or strong mechanical aptitude in lieu of formal FEA experience is considered advantageous.
• Familiarity with engineering and data management tools such as GDMS and SAP or similar systems.

Work Environment

This contract role is based in Peoria, Illinois, within a dynamic and collaborative engineering environment focused on machine and component design. Work is primarily performed in an office and engineering setting using 3D CAD tools such as Pro/ENGINEER and Creo, along with data management systems like Windchill, GDMS, and SAP, and standard productivity software including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. The position involves regular interaction with cross-functional teams in manufacturing, production, service, and quality assurance, as well as communication with suppliers to resolve technical issues and align on specifications. Travel to machine worksites, both domestically and internationally, may be required to conduct field surveys, investigate problems, understand customer applications, and validate design solutions. Employees are expected to dress professionally in line with industry standards, reflecting a technical, customer-focused, and safety-conscious culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Peoria, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $45.00/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 & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Peoria, IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Peoria,IL.

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 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.