Mechanical Designer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Mechanical Designer
Job Description

This Mechanical Designer role leads cross-functional projects that span design, fabrication, validation, and manufacture of complex subassemblies, systems, processes, equipment, and facilities. The position focuses on stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers and silos, with opportunities to grow into a subject matter expert in these products. You will collaborate closely with engineering, suppliers, and customers to develop robust designs, improve existing installations, and support new product development in a growing, stable industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional projects and programs covering the design, fabrication, validation, and manufacture of complex subassemblies, systems, processes, equipment, and facilities.
• Utilize a deep technical understanding in one or more operational areas such as materials science, equipment design, hydraulic systems, air systems, refrigeration, automation, or process technologies to support design activities.
• Design and develop stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers, silos, and related pressure vessels and equipment using 3D and 2D CAD tools.
• Evaluate field installations of tank systems and recommend design modifications to eliminate malfunctions and improve performance and reliability.
• Create detailed 3D models, drawings, and documentation for fabrication, including weld details, sheet metal layouts, and GD&T to support manufacturing.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, production, suppliers, and customers to ensure designs meet functional, safety, and quality requirements.
• Apply knowledge of weld and fabrication processes to ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
• Support new product development initiatives, including the design of larger capacity tanks and innovative tank and silo solutions.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, leveraging lean manufacturing and design for manufacturability principles where applicable.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external customers to gather requirements, present design concepts, and resolve issues.
• Grow into the role of subject matter expert for stainless steel and aluminum trailers, providing technical guidance and mentorship to peers over time.
• Use tools such as FEA (finite element analysis) and strength of materials principles, where applicable, to support stress analysis and structural integrity of designs.
• Contribute to a collaborative, close-knit engineering team environment and support long-term organizational goals and customer relationships.

• Inventor 3D CAD experience, or related 3D software such as Solidworks.
• AutoCAD 2D CAD experience for creating and editing detailed engineering drawings.
• Mechanical design experience with stainless steel and metal fabrication processes, including sheet metal.
• Knowledge of weld and fabrication processes and their application in product design.
• Strong communication skills for cross-functional work with engineering, production, suppliers, and customers.
• Ability to perform 3D modeling and drafting with attention to detail and manufacturability.
• Understanding of ASME-related design principles and pressure vessel considerations as they apply to tanks and silos.
• Minimum of an associate degree in Design or a related engineering field from an ABET-accredited university or college.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a designer, or 0 years of experience as a degreed engineer with strong CAD and mechanical fundamentals.
• Experience with metal fabrication processes, particularly sheet metal and stainless steel components.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for engineering calculations, data analysis, and documentation.
• Experience communicating directly with customers to clarify requirements and provide technical support.
• Experience with FEA (finite element analysis) for evaluating stress, strength, and structural performance.
• Problem-solving skills using 8D, A3, or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Steel tank design, fabrication, and industry knowledge, particularly for tank trailers, silos, and pressure vessels.
• Strong mechanical engineering skillset in strength of materials, stress analysis, fatigue life, heat transfer, and welding.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) for precise dimensioning and tolerancing of drawings.
• Exposure to industries such as dairy, corn starch, and other bulk or mixed products, as well as pharmaceutical and related process industries.
• Willingness to learn and grow into a subject matter expert role in stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers and silos.
• Openness to training as a new graduate, with a commitment to long-term growth and contribution within the company.

This is an onsite, full-time role in a manufacturing and engineering facility that designs and builds stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers, silos, and related equipment. The standard work schedule runs Monday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., offering an early-day schedule and a shortened Friday. You will work alongside a close-knit engineering team that includes four other CAD Designers and approximately ten total engineers, collaborating closely with the production group located at the same site. The environment emphasizes transparency, long-term career growth, and strong ownership involvement, with leadership that takes time to get to know employees and accommodate personal matters when possible. The business enjoys a strong backlog extending 50–60 weeks, with sustained demand in the dairy and related industries and growing global demand for tank trailers and silos. The facility supports significant new product development initiatives, including larger-capacity tanks and specialized pressure vessels and mixers for various industries. Dress and conduct are consistent with a professional, hands-on engineering and manufacturing setting, where you may regularly interact with production areas, fabrication operations, and cross-functional teams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New Lisbon, WI.

The pay range for this position is $26.44 - $31.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in New Lisbon,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 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 ziprecruiter.com 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.