Project Engineer

Job Title: Project Engineer

Job Description

This Project Engineer role focuses on a flagship Needle Grinder machine that sits at the forefront of the companys product portfolio. You will combine hands-on engineering, customer-facing support, and design work to enhance machine capabilities, support global customers, and oversee projects from concept through installation. The position offers creative independence, the opportunity to influence product direction, and strong support for professional growth and development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary technical contact for customers, responding to calls and emails to address questions about machine capabilities, performance, and applications.
• Conduct customer-facing demonstrations, run-offs, and installations of Needle Grinder machines for customers worldwide.
• Perform R&D work to update and enhance machines beyond standard configurations, developing solutions that are outside the original scope of customer requests.
• Use CAD software, particularly SolidWorks, to create, modify, and upgrade 3D models, drawings, and schematics for machine improvements and custom applications.
• Oversee projects from an engineering perspective, including involvement in component selection, purchasing, and coordination of machine assembly activities.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical issues on machines both in the shop and at customer sites, ensuring reliable performance and rapid resolution of problems.
• Interpret and work from engineering drawings and schematics to guide design updates, troubleshooting, and assembly processes.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams on mechanical, electrical, and robotics-related design tasks to improve machine functionality and reliability.
• Support field service activities as needed, including on-site training, demonstrations, and technical support for customers.
• Document design changes, upgrades, and troubleshooting steps to ensure clear communication and knowledge sharing across the organization.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience with mechanical or electromechanical equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and electrical/mechanical schematics.
• Experience using CAD software to create and update drawings and schematics, with SolidWorks strongly preferred.
• Machining experience in metalworking, including milling and lathe operations.
• Electromechanical design skills, including exposure to mechanical, electrical, and robotics-related systems.
• Proven customer-facing experience, including strong interpersonal and communication skills for phone, email, and in-person interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform mechanical repair and mechanical testing on complex machinery.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities in both office and shop-floor environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with 3D CAD modeling and design in SolidWorks or similar platforms.
• Experience in robotics, automation, or motion control as part of machine design and integration.
• Field service experience supporting installations, training, and on-site troubleshooting.
• Experience in electromechanical design, including integration of mechanical and electrical components.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing customer support, R&D, and design responsibilities.
• Interest in continuous learning, including taking advantage of company-paid classes or tuition reimbursement.
• Comfort working in a high-stakes, high-reward environment where added contributions are recognized and rewarded.
• Desire to have a voice in product direction and to exercise creative independence in engineering solutions.

Work Environment

This is an office-based engineering role with a dynamic split between desk work and hands-on activity on the shop floor. You will spend part of your time at a workstation handling customer communications, CAD design, and engineering documentation, and part of your time in the shop troubleshooting equipment, supporting assembly, and validating machine performance. Typical work distribution includes approximately 1520% of the day responding to customer calls and emails, about 35% on R&D work to extend machine capabilities using SolidWorks, around 10% on CAD design tasks, and roughly 20% on project oversight activities. The role includes approximately 20% travel to customer locations for installations, trainings, demonstrations, and technical support; additional travel is available for those who are interested but is not required beyond this expectation. The environment is that of a tight-knit, family-owned operation that emphasizes collaboration, learning, and career development. Team members enjoy a culture where the more they contribute, the more they are rewarded, including consistent raises, company-paid classes and tuition reimbursement, and opportunities to shape their own career path. The workplace encourages creative independence, provides a strong support network for learning complex machinery, and fosters a community-oriented atmosphere on both the office and shop floor.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Oakland, NJ.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $48.08/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)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Oakland, NJ.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 29, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Oakland,NJ.

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.