Mechanical Designer

Mechanical Designer

The Mechanical Designer creates and revises detailed engineering drawings and models using SolidWorks, based on design and engineering data provided by sales and engineering teams. This role prepares bills of material, supports purchasing activities for sheet metal and fabricated components, and ensures that all designs meet customer specifications and internal standards for safety, quality, efficiency, and productivity.

Responsibilities

• Create and revise detailed engineering drawings and designs using SolidWorks based on drawings, sketches, and written descriptions provided by sales and engineering staff.
• Translate design and engineering data into accurate models and drawings that meet design requirements and customer specifications.
• Inspect and verify the accuracy of all drawings and designs, ensuring they conform to project requirements and engineering standards.
• Communicate regularly with sales staff throughout the drafting process to confirm that the final design aligns with customer specifications and expectations.
• Prepare bills of material (BOM) for sheet metal, fabricated parts, milled headers, and other standard fittings required for production.
• Assist with purchasing activities, including entering parts into the Global Shop system, creating and maintaining bills of material, obtaining price quotes, and preparing purchase orders.
• Perform additional purchasing duties as assigned to support timely procurement of parts and materials.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality regarding company products, customer product development, patents, and other proprietary information.
• Keep the work area and equipment clean, organized, and in proper working condition.
• Follow and support company safety policies and procedures in all design and shop-related activities.
• Adhere to company quality standards by producing accurate, complete, and manufacturable designs and documentation.
• Support efficiency and productivity goals by managing workload effectively, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with team members as needed.

Essential Skills

• Two-year degree in Mechanical Design or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two or more years of design or drafting experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks software for mechanical design and drafting.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand how parts and assemblies function in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and standard engineering nomenclature.
• Proficiency in basic math skills applied to mechanical design and measurement.
• Ability to accurately measure objects using hand-held measuring tools.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to solve problems independently and manage tasks with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with co-workers, supervisors, vendors, and sales staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and vendors.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with sheet metal design and fabrication practices.
• Experience creating bills of material for mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for fabricated parts, milled headers, and standard fittings.
• Experience using an ERP or manufacturing system such as Global Shop for entering parts and managing bills of material.
• Attention to detail and a strong focus on accuracy in drawings and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and proprietary information responsibly.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Work Environment

The Mechanical Designer works in a manufacturing-oriented environment that combines office-based design activities with close collaboration with production and purchasing teams. The role relies heavily on SolidWorks and the Global Shop system to create detailed designs, bills of material, and purchasing documentation. Work is performed in a setting that emphasizes safety, quality, efficiency, and productivity, with expectations to maintain a clean and orderly work area and properly cared-for equipment. The position involves regular interaction with sales, engineering, and vendors to support accurate, manufacturable designs and timely procurement of parts.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Owatonna, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60000.00 - $80000.00/yr. 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 hybrid position in Owatonna, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 8, 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.