Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer Job Description This Senior Mechanical Engineer role focuses on leading the design and development of complex mechanical products and systems that protect people and property. You will solve challenging engineering problems using advanced techniques, adapt and extend existing theories and practices, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, marketing, and service. The position offers the opportunity to own the full product lifecycle from concept and specification through prototyping, validation, and production release. Responsibilities * Design and develop new mechanical products that meet specified performance, quality, budget, and schedule requirements. * Guide the creation and refinement of technical specifications for new designs and redesigns, ensuring alignment with marketing technical literature and engineering documentation. * Troubleshoot product systems and work directly with technicians and assemblers on the production floor to identify root causes and resolve mechanical and electromechanical issues. * Provide mechanical design guidance and technical assistance to applications engineering, test engineering, and technical support personnel. * Assist manufacturing engineering and contract manufacturers with product assembly methods, test techniques, and design for manufacturability improvements. * Verify and validate design outputs against product design specifications, including performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements. * Determine mechanical test parameters and methods for components and final products, including environmental, vibration, and other relevant tests. * Fabricate mockups and build working prototypes of new products to support design reviews, testing, and customer evaluations. * Provide technical expertise and recommendations to manufacturing, purchasing, marketing, service, sales, and quality assurance on product-related issues and improvements. * Support purchasing, manufacturing engineering, and quality assurance in evaluating and selecting vendors for mechanical components and assemblies. * Apply project management practices to plan, prioritize, and track engineering activities, ensuring that projects progress efficiently and meet milestones. * Incorporate design for manufacturing, lighting, and acoustics considerations into mechanical designs where applicable. * Use CAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) tools to create, manage, and maintain accurate mechanical drawings, models, and documentation, including GD&T. * Support and consider regulatory, EMC, and EMI testing requirements in the design and validation of products. * Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to understand customer requirements and deliver solutions that meet or exceed expectations. Essential Skills * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university. * 10 or more years of engineering experience in mechanical design or closely related fields. * High proficiency in mechanical design using SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software. * Strong experience with mechanical design, including complex assemblies and electromechanical systems. * Ability to design for manufacturing, including consideration of production processes, tolerances, and cost. * Hands-on experience with prototype design, mockup fabrication, and building working prototypes. * Proficiency with CAD software tools for creating and managing mechanical drawings and models. * Knowledge and practical application of GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing). * Experience troubleshooting mechanical and electromechanical systems in collaboration with technicians and assemblers. * Knowledge of basic principles, theories, and concepts in mechanical engineering and related disciplines. * Ability to apply principles, theories, and concepts broadly in mechanical engineering with working knowledge of other fields. * Strong verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and documentation. * Demonstrated ability to understand customer requirements and deliver engineering solutions that meet these needs. * Experience working with PLM systems to manage product data and engineering changes. * Familiarity with EMC and EMI testing considerations in product design and validation. * Experience supporting or participating in regulatory compliance activities related to mechanical products. * Project management skills sufficient to plan, coordinate, and track engineering tasks and deliverables. Additional Skills & Qualifications * Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field is desired. * Background or experience in acoustics and/or lighting is preferred. * Experience designing products for applications such as public safety, industrial communications, or similar environments. * Exposure to electromechanical systems used in warning, alerting, or communication products. * Experience working with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, purchasing, marketing, service, sales, and quality assurance. * Familiarity with design considerations for lightbars, sirens, or other public warning and safety equipment. * Ability to assist in vendor evaluation and selection for mechanical components and assemblies. * Experience supporting test engineering in defining mechanical test parameters and procedures. Work Environment The role supports a leading manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive systems and products used to protect people and property. The organization develops and produces integrated solutions such as campus and community alerting systems, emergency vehicle equipment, first responder interoperable communications, industrial communications, and command and municipal networked security solutions. Specific products include lightbars and sirens, public warning sirens, and public safety systems. You will work in a professional, smoke-free, and drug-free environment, collaborating with engineers, technicians, assemblers, and cross-functional teams. The position involves regular use of 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, PLM systems, and other engineering software to design and document mechanical and electromechanical systems. The work includes both office-based design activities and hands-on work with prototypes and production assemblies in engineering and manufacturing areas. The environment supports career growth and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including annual bonus potential, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, and tuition reimbursement. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Park Forest, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $78000.00 - $120000.00/yr. In addition to excellent career growth opportunities, Federal Signal Corporation offers a wide array of benefits including: annual bonus potential, insurance (life, medical, dental, vision), paid holidays, paid vacation, 401(k) with matching contributions and tuition reimbursement. We provide our employees with a smoke-free, drug-free workplace. Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Park Forest,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jul 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.