Design Engineer

Job Title: Ground Test Design Engineer
Job Description
This role supports a ground test division that designs and manufactures test equipment for major engine programs. The Ground Test Design Engineer contributes across the full product lifecycle, from decomposing customer requirements and preparing quotes through detailed design, manufacturing support, and repair services. The engineer designs and analyzes hybrid composite-metallic assemblies and subcomponents, develops CAD models, selects appropriate materials, and ensures designs are manufacturable. The role works closely with production teams, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders to develop and refine manufacturing and repair processes, resolve nonconforming material issues, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and provide technical support on the production floor using sound engineering judgment and data-driven decision-making. The position offers the opportunity to gain aerospace experience and access to a broad online learning platform after six months.
Responsibilities

• Support the full product lifecycle for ground test equipment, from decomposing customer requirements and preparing quotes through design development, manufacturing, and repair services.
• Design and analyze hybrid composite-metallic assemblies and subcomponents used in ground test applications.
• Develop detailed CAD models and engineering drawings that accurately define geometry, materials, and tolerances.
• Apply GD&T to determine and document appropriate tolerance requirements for components and assemblies.
• Select suitable materials for metallic and composite structures, balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable by collaborating with production teams and incorporating design for manufacturing and assembly principles.
• Work closely with vendors and cross-functional teams to clarify requirements, address technical questions, and ensure alignment on design intent.
• Support the development and refinement of manufacturing and repair processes for ground test components and assemblies.
• Address and resolve issues related to nonconforming materials and parts by conducting root cause analyses and implementing corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in design, manufacturing processes, and documentation to enhance quality, cost, and schedule performance.
• Provide technical support in a production environment using sound engineering judgment and data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and communicate technical ideas with internal and external customers and convert those ideas into executable programs.
• Apply mechanical design expertise in areas such as machining, joints, fasteners, and welding for aerospace, defense, automotive, or similar applications.
• Collaborate with quality, reliability, and product development teams to ensure designs meet performance, reliability, and quality control requirements.
• Support configuration management practices to maintain accurate and current design and process documentation.
• Incorporate understanding of manufacturing cost and reproducibility into design decisions to support competitive and robust products.

Essential Skills

• A Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) university degree or equivalent experience with a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• Proven mechanical design experience in machining, joints, fasteners, and welding within aerospace, defense, automotive, or similar industries.
• Hands-on experience applying GD&T, including determining and documenting tolerance requirements.
• Effective problem identification and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose issues and implement practical solutions.
• Strong sense of project ownership with demonstrated execution skills and a proactive mindset.
• Experience developing technical ideas with internal and external customers and a track record of converting those ideas into active programs.
• Experience designing or supporting hybrid composite-metallic assemblies or subcomponents.
• Proficiency with mechanical design tools and practices for production-oriented environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with production, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Capability to use data-driven decision-making and sound engineering judgment in a production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering.
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) software experience, preferably Creo and Windchill; experience with NX, FiberSIM, or TeamCenter is also valuable.
• Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software experience for analysis and simulation.
• Experience with composite design, analysis, and manufacturing, including hybrid composite-metallic structures.
• Familiarity with Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques such as ultrasonic testing, eddy current, fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI), camera optics, X-ray, and other relevant methods.
• Experience with design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) to improve producibility and reduce cost.
• Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers and reproducibility, and the ability to incorporate these considerations into design decisions.
• Familiarity with principles of product development, reliability engineering, and quality control.
• Experience with configuration management practices and tools to control design and process documentation.
• Experience with fiber-reinforced polymer composites, including fiberglass, aramid, and carbon fiber prepreg and wet layup, especially epoxy resin systems.
• Experience in advanced composite and bonded structures design and manufacturing, including organic/polymer matrix composites, fiber reinforcement, manufacturing methods, adhesives, and surface preparation.
• Interest in gaining aerospace industry experience and leveraging continuous learning resources such as online training platforms.

Work Environment
The organization operates a large global footprint with multiple facilities, including several plants in one metropolitan area and an additional nearby facility. The Ground Test Design Engineer works closely with production and cross-functional teams in a manufacturing and test-focused environment. Typical work hours start between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., with 9-hour workdays from Monday through Friday, resulting in a 45-hour workweek. The schedule includes a defined number of days off per year, supporting work-life balance. The role involves frequent interaction with CAD and CAE tools, configuration management systems, and manufacturing and test equipment associated with ground test hardware. The environment emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and hands-on engagement with production and repair processes, providing strong exposure to aerospace technologies and structured engineering practices, along with access to professional development resources after six months.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lansing, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $55.00/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 Lansing,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 11, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.


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