Mechanical Engineer- Packaging

This role focuses on the mechanical and thermal design of precision assemblies for advanced imaging and sensor hardware, with a strong emphasis on mechanical packaging, electronic packaging, thermal-mechanical design, sensor integration, and optomechanical systems. You will take ownership of hardware from concept through prototype, assembly, validation, and refinement, working hands-on in a laboratory environment and collaborating closely with cross-functional engineering teams.

• Design and develop precision mechanical packaging, electronic assemblies, and sensor integration hardware for advanced imaging and sensor systems.
• Perform mechanical tolerance and stack-up analysis, including coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch analysis across assemblies containing electronic, sensor, optical, and mechanical components.
• Evaluate materials and mechanical architectures to maintain alignment, reliability, and performance across varying temperature and environmental conditions.
• Perform or support thermal and structural analysis of mechanical and electronic assemblies to ensure robust performance.
• Define mechanical packaging and assembly approaches from device-level integration through complete sensor and system-level assemblies.
• Select and evaluate adhesives, epoxies, bonding methods, curing processes, and other assembly techniques suitable for precision hardware.
• Develop, refine, and improve assembly processes for precision mechanical and packaging applications.
• Design mechanical components, fixtures, housings, mounts, and interfaces using CAD tools.
• Build and evaluate prototypes, diagnose issues, and troubleshoot mechanical, thermal, alignment, and packaging problems.
• Collaborate closely with optics, electronics, test, manufacturing, and supplier teams to ensure integrated, manufacturable designs.
• Work with manufacturing partners and suppliers to assess component capabilities and assembly process feasibility.
• Create detailed engineering drawings, specifications, assembly documentation, test plans, and verification procedures.
• Drive and support the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process, including design revisions, change documentation, configuration control, and release management.
• Guide designs from concept through prototype, validation, and production readiness, ensuring smooth transition into manufacturing.
• Communicate technical findings, trade-offs, and design decisions clearly to cross-functional stakeholders and document outcomes thoroughly.

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Hands-on experience with precision mechanical assemblies, electronic packaging, sensor packaging, or related hardware development environments.
• Strong understanding of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), material compatibility, tolerance stack-ups, and thermal-mechanical behavior.
• Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies using CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
• Experience performing thermal and/or structural analysis of mechanical assemblies.
• Understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes used for precision electronic, sensor, or mechanical hardware.
• Experience working with adhesives, epoxies, bonding, curing, and component attachment processes.
• Experience participating in engineering change management processes, including ECO/ECN documentation, design revisions, product release workflows, and configuration control.
• Hands-on experience building, assembling, and troubleshooting prototype hardware.
• Ability to evaluate mechanical design trade-offs involving alignment, thermal performance, materials, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive engineering problems to resolution.
• Mechanical engineering expertise in packaging engineering, optical and sensor-related mechanical design, and precision mechanical systems.

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field is beneficial.
• Experience with optomechanical, electro-optical, or optoelectronic packaging.
• Experience with camera modules, imaging systems, optical sensors, photonics, or other precision optical assemblies.
• Experience with chip-, sensor-, or device-level packaging and integration.
• Experience with precision optical alignment and optical-mechanical integration techniques.
• Experience using FEA tools such as ANSYS or SolidWorks Simulation for structural and thermal analysis.
• Knowledge of thermal modeling for multi-material assemblies.
• Experience designing fixtures and tooling for precision assembly and alignment.
• Familiarity with GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 for defining and interpreting engineering drawings.
• Experience working with external manufacturing and assembly suppliers.
• Experience supporting hardware from prototype through production, including scaling and design-for-manufacture considerations.
• Experience troubleshooting reliability, alignment, thermal, or assembly-process issues in electro-optical hardware.
• Interest in working with advanced imaging and sensor technologies in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Eligibility for standard benefits, including paid time off and holidays, subject to company policy.

This role is fully onsite at a facility located in North Reading and is based in a hands-on laboratory environment with active equipment and prototype hardware. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including optics, electronics, test, manufacturing, and suppliers, using CAD tools such as SolidWorks and, where applicable, FEA tools like ANSYS or SolidWorks Simulation. The environment emphasizes precision assembly, detailed documentation, and close collaboration to bring complex electro-mechanical and optomechanical systems from concept to production. Standard full-time hours apply, with access to benefits such as paid time off and holidays, and work is performed in a professional engineering lab and manufacturing support setting.

This is a Contract position based out of North Reading, MA.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $70.00/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 position based out of North Reading, MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in North Reading,MA.

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.