Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

This Mechanical Design Engineer role focuses on designing and supporting industrial automated equipment from concept through release to manufacturing. You will create safe, cost-effective machine designs, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, and interact directly with customers to deliver turnkey automation solutions. This is a 9month contract-to-hire opportunity in the Greater Columbus region, offering the chance to work on diverse projects, sharpen your design skills, and grow into a subject matter expert in automated machinery design.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a Project Manager and other team members to assess project assignments, review ideas, and define design requirements.

• Communicate and interact directly with customers to clarify specifications, gather feedback, and ensure designs meet their needs.

• Design safe, cost-effective machine concepts, parts models, and assemblies based on customer requirements and project objectives.

• Create detailed parts and assembly drawings with appropriate tolerances and release them to the machine shop for fabrication.

• Provide ongoing support to the machine shop by clarifying part detail drawings and resolving design-related questions.

• Research, select, and order purchased components for machine designs, including pneumatic cylinders, valves, air preparation systems, bearings, motors, drive systems, sensors, and other devices used in automated machinery.

• Develop, maintain, and release Bill of Materials (BoM) documentation for each project, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

• Interface with and support Assembly, Electrical, and Software Design teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical designs into complete systems.

• Participate in equipment layout and facility layout considerations when needed, ensuring designs fit within operational constraints.

• Support turnkey project delivery by refining designs, addressing issues during build and test, and contributing to continuous improvement of design practices.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, or at least 4 years of experience as a Design Engineer using SolidWorks for equipment design in lieu of a degree.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer performing 3D design for machine design or industrial equipment.

• Hands-on experience designing concepts, parts models, and assemblies for industrial or automated machinery.

• Proven ability to research and order purchased components for machine designs, including pneumatic cylinders, valves, air preparation systems, bearings, motors, drive systems, sensors, and other automation-related devices.

• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling using SolidWorks (strongly preferred) or other comparable CAD software.

• Experience with 3D modeling, 3D design engineering, and CAD designing for machine and equipment design.

• Solid understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).

• Experience creating and managing Bills of Materials (BoM) and releasing BoM documentation.

• Background in automated equipment design or exposure to automated machinery, equipment layout, or equipment design in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Ability to hit the ground running on machine designs and work independently within established project timelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with automated equipment and automated machinery design, including integration of mechanical, pneumatic, and drive systems.

• Familiarity with equipment layout and facility layout considerations for industrial environments.

• Experience working on turnkey projects from concept through build and implementation.

• Strong communication skills for effective customer interaction and cross-functional collaboration.

• Ability to work within a small, tight-knit team and contribute to a collaborative, project-focused culture.

• Interest in developing into a subject matter expert in industrial automated equipment and machine design.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office environment with regular interaction on the shop floor to support fabrication, assembly, and testing activities. You will work closely with project, assembly, electrical, and software teams while using 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks to develop machine designs. The position follows a contract-to-hire structure over a 9month period, during which you receive accrued paid time off, holiday pay, access to a 401(k) for contributions, and benefits/insurance. The company operates as a small, tight-knit organization where you can work on new and varied turnkey projects frequently, providing a dynamic environment that supports continuous learning and professional growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lewis Center, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.87 - $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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lewis Center,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 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.