Senior Project Engineer

Senior Project Engineer

The Senior Project Engineer leads the design, analysis, and troubleshooting of heavy industrial rotary equipment systems from concept through installation and startup. This role provides technical leadership to designers and field service technicians, serving as a key technical resource for internal teams and customers. The position combines strong mechanical engineering expertise with clear, confident communication to ensure equipment performance, reliability, and successful project execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design, analysis, and improvement projects for heavy industrial equipment and rotating machinery.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues, perform root cause and failure analysis, and develop effective corrective solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentoring to designers and field service technicians.
• Develop and review 3D models, detailed drawings, and engineering documentation using AutoCAD 3D and other CAD software.
• Support field inspections, measurements, installations, and commissioning activities at customer sites.
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, and project status clearly to customers and cross-functional internal teams.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, fabrication, and sales teams to ensure successful project execution and customer satisfaction.
• Apply mechanical engineering principles to improve equipment reliability, performance, and maintainability.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while meeting quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
• Travel 30%–50% to customer sites for inspections, troubleshooting, installations, and commissioning activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Several years of mechanical engineering experience in heavy industrial equipment, rotating machinery, or similar environments.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting, failure analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD 3D and other 3D CAD design software.
• Experience leading designers, technicians, or engineering teams in a project environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers, field personnel, and leadership.
• Strong project engineering and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical design for heavy industrial applications.
• Ability to travel 30%–50% of the time to customer sites.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with kilns, dryers, conveyors, pressure vessels, or other heavy industrial process equipment.
• Knowledge of relevant mechanical codes, finite element analysis (FEA), and industrial field measurement practices.
• Background in equipment installation, commissioning, or field service operations.
• Experience with SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor or similar 3D CAD platforms.
• Strong communication and people skills, with a customer-centric mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within small, cross-functional teams.
• Experience in mechanical project engineering within heavy industrial or rotating machinery environments.

Work Environment

This role operates within a small, highly collaborative team that emphasizes a customer-centric mindset and a commitment to doing work correctly the first time. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility to start slightly earlier or later as needed. The position is structured as a 40-hour workweek with limited overtime, and performance bonuses may be available based on results. Business casual to casual dress is appropriate in the office and shop environments. The role involves regular travel, approximately 30%–50% of the time, primarily on 2–3 day trips with occasional 4–5 day trips; travel is not expected on weekends. Work includes time in office settings using CAD and engineering tools, as well as visits to industrial facilities for inspections, measurements, installations, and commissioning activities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Louisville, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $46.00 - $58.00/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 fully onsite position in Louisville, KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 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.