Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Job Description
The Mechanical Design Engineer will take full ownership of mechanical CAD design from concept through release, contributing to advanced devices including robotic surgery technology. This role combines hands-on design, data management, prototyping, and transfer to manufacturing, while serving as a key technical point of contact for internal teams, customers, and suppliers. The engineer will work with significant autonomy, mentor less experienced colleagues, and play a central role in delivering technically complex and meaningful products within a fast-growing organization.
Responsibilities

• Own mechanical CAD design work from initial concept through final release, ensuring robust, manufacturable designs.
• Lead Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA) sessions to identify and mitigate potential risks in new and existing designs.
• Maintain and oversee engineering documentation and records, ensuring they are complete, accurate, and up to date.
• Manage design data within the ERP system to ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper configuration control.
• Interpret and apply specifications and regulatory information independently, and guide less experienced engineers in doing the same.
• Serve as a key point of contact with internal and external teams on design projects, communicating design decisions, tradeoffs, and technical rationale clearly.
• Represent the engineering team in customer and supplier meetings, speaking directly to design intent, constraints, and proposed solutions.
• Support and oversee in-house prototype assembly and testing, ensuring prototypes meet design requirements and performance targets.
• Drive new product transfer to manufacturing, including initial builds, documentation, and collaboration with production teams to resolve design and process issues.
• Manage work across established and variable timelines, balancing multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Follow all safety and work rules and regulations to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Maintain departmental housekeeping standards, contributing to an organized and efficient workspace.
• Mentor and support less experienced engineers, sharing best practices in mechanical design, CAD, and documentation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design engineering.
• Strong proficiency in PTC Creo for mechanical CAD design.
• Hands-on experience with new product development, from concept through release.
• Ability to create and read complex engineering drawings.
• Solid understanding of tolerance stack-up analysis and application to detailed designs.
• Experience applying GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) to engineering drawings.
• Strong computer skills, including effective use of engineering and documentation tools.
• Strong math skills to support analysis, design calculations, and tolerance studies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Strong attention to detail in design, documentation, and data management.
• Experience working with sheet metal components and related design practices.
• Ability to lead and participate in DFMEA sessions to improve design robustness.
• Capability to manage design data within an ERP system or similar environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in medical device design or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience working on robotic surgery technology or complex electromechanical devices.
• Experience mentoring and supporting less experienced engineers.
• Comfort representing engineering in customer and supplier meetings, including discussing design tradeoffs and constraints.
• Familiarity with new product introduction processes and transfer-to-manufacturing activities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-ownership environment with significant autonomy and accountability.

Work Environment
This role operates in a fast-growing engineering and manufacturing environment focused on innovative products, including robotic surgery carts and other advanced devices. You will work primarily in an office and engineering lab setting, using PTC Creo and other engineering tools to develop and manage designs, and partnering closely with manufacturing teams during prototype builds and product transfer. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, ownership, and collaboration, with opportunities to work directly with customers and suppliers and to mentor team members. Once converted to a regular full-time role, employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance starting the first of the month after hire, a 401(k) match and profit sharing, vacation time from day one, nine paid holidays for regular full-time employees, and paid training to support ongoing professional development.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milwaukee, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.07 - $57.69/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 Milwaukee,WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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.