Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Job Description
This role focuses on creating high-quality mechanical designs and detailed CAD drawings for complex systems, including custom machined components, large assemblies, and piping systems. The Mechanical Design Engineer will translate concepts, specifications, and sketches into precise technical documentation using advanced CAD tools, including SolidWorks and Plant 3D. The position supports cutting-edge defense and aerospace programs, including hypersonic technologies, and contributes directly to critical national security initiatives.
Responsibilities

• Provide computer-aided design (CAD) drafting and prepare detailed drawings and schematics derived from specifications, layouts, blueprints, and sketches.
• Design pipe routing, cable routing, and related mechanical layouts for complex systems and facilities.
• Transform initial rough product designs, concepts, and ideas into complete, accurate working documents using CAD software.
• Review engineering drawings and designs to ensure adherence to established specifications, standards, and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and other technical professionals to create system designs, processes, and detailed drawings for a wide variety of mechanical and piping systems.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve designs, including reducing cost, shortening lead time, and mitigating technical and operational risk.
• Utilize SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Plant 3D (including SolidPlant 3D and Plant 3D tools) to model and document mechanical components, assemblies, and piping systems.
• Support the design and layout of test facilities, including potential involvement in wind tunnels, hypersonic test environments, and related infrastructure.
• Contribute to the development of test chambers, instrumentation systems, and experimental platforms where standard solutions and playbooks do not exist.
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback to refine and optimize mechanical and piping designs.
• Help establish and refine drafting and design standards, templates, and workflows for a growing engineering team.
• Mentor and collaborate with colleagues as a founding member of a new engineering presence, helping to shape team culture and design practices.

Essential Skills

• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related design field.
• At least 3 years of mechanical 3D design experience working with products involving custom machined components, large assemblies, or piping systems.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and detailed mechanical design.
• Working knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) for accurate and consistent definition of part and assembly requirements.
• Experience designing piping systems, including routing and layout.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for 2D drafting and mechanical documentation.
• Experience or familiarity with Plant 3D and/or SolidPlant 3D for piping and plant layout design.
• Ability to work from specifications, layouts, blueprints, and sketches to produce accurate CAD drawings and schematics.
• Capability to review and interpret engineering drawings, standards, and specifications and ensure compliance.
• Strong collaboration skills to work closely with engineers and multidisciplinary teams on complex design problems.
• Ability to identify design improvements that reduce cost, lead time, and risk.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with test facility design and layout, particularly for complex engineering or research environments.
• Experience with wind tunnels, hypersonic technologies, or related high-performance test systems.
• Experience in designing test chambers, instrumentation systems, and experimental platforms.
• Interest in working on next-generation defense and aerospace systems, including hypersonic technologies.
• Motivation to support national security efforts and contribute to the safety of military personnel and citizens.
• Desire to work on complex, multidisciplinary problems where standard solutions may not exist.
• Interest in becoming a founding member of a new engineering team and helping to shape its culture and processes.
• Willingness to collaborate with engineers located at other sites, including headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Work Environment
This position is based in Indiana as part of a new engineering team supporting advanced defense and aerospace projects. The role initially operates out of a co-working facility at the Westgate Academy while permanent office space is secured, offering a dynamic and evolving office environment. The work schedule provides flexibility, with the option to work from home 2-3 days per week, combined with in-office collaboration on other days. The Mechanical Design Engineer will regularly interact with engineering teams located at a headquarters site in Huntsville, Alabama, using modern collaboration tools and shared CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Plant 3D. As one of the first engineers hired in the region, the individual will play a key role in mentoring others and shaping the team's culture, standards, and ways of working. The environment emphasizes challenging, multidisciplinary projects, including the design of test chambers, instrumentation systems, and experimental platforms for cutting-edge hypersonic and national security applications.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Greenwood, IN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $43.27/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)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Greenwood,IN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 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.


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