Project Engineer

Job Description This role leads the design and development of medium to complex mechanical and electromechanical products from initial concept through full production launch. The engineer creates and reviews detailed engineering documentation, drives structured new product development processes, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective products for automotive, commercial vehicle, aviation, industrial, and off-road markets. Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer This role leads the design and development of medium to complex mechanical and electromechanical products from initial concept through full production launch. The engineer creates and reviews detailed engineering documentation, drives structured new product development processes, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective products for automotive, commercial vehicle, aviation, industrial, and off-road markets. Responsibilities Lead the design and development of medium to complex products from concept through production launch, ensuring technical excellence and timely delivery. Create and review engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, test plans, and technical documentation to support product development and production. Develop products such as valves, fluid handling components, electromechanical devices, automotive components, industrial equipment, and other engineered products. Apply mechanical engineering principles to solve technical challenges related to performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost. Conduct detailed engineering calculations and analyses to support design decisions and verify product performance. Lead prototype development, testing, validation, and design refinement activities to ensure products meet functional and quality requirements. Support manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams during product launch and ongoing production, addressing design-related issues and improvements. Lead projects through a structured New Product Development (NPD) process, ensuring adherence to stage-gate requirements and deliverables. Facilitate design reviews and technical reviews throughout development to drive robust designs and cross-functional alignment. Develop and maintain DFMEA, DVP&R, risk assessments, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and product validation plans. Ensure all designs comply with applicable customer specifications, regulatory standards, and industry requirements. Identify technical risks early in the development process and create effective mitigation plans. Lead cross-functional project teams from concept through production implementation, coordinating engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations activities. Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and action item lists to keep projects on track. Facilitate project meetings and communicate project status, risks, and action plans to stakeholders and leadership. Drive accountability and timely completion of project deliverables across the project team. Manage multiple projects simultaneously while effectively balancing priorities, resources, and deadlines. Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Suppliers, Customers, Sales and Marketing, and Executive Leadership to ensure successful product launches. Coordinate supplier development activities related to new product launches, including technical requirements and quality expectations. Support customer meetings, technical presentations, and product demonstrations as required to communicate design concepts and performance. Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across project teams to build engineering capability and best practices. Essential Skills Strong experience in mechanical product design, engineering analysis, new product development, and project leadership within a manufacturing environment. Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in product design, product development, or manufacturing engineering. Proven experience leading engineering projects from concept through production launch. Strong CAD experience using SolidWorks or equivalent 3D modeling software for detailed mechanical design. Experience with engineering analysis tools including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and tolerance analysis. Ability to utilize analytical tools such as FEA, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), tolerance stack-up analysis, thermal analysis, fatigue and stress analysis. Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DOE), root cause analysis, statistical analysis, and validation methods to support robust product development. Experience with structured New Product Development (NPD) processes in a manufacturing setting. Strong project management skills, including use of tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent software. Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills for effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities to address complex engineering and manufacturing challenges. Additional Skills & Qualifications Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. Experience developing valves, fluid handling components, electromechanical devices, automotive components, industrial equipment, or similar engineered products. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams involving engineering, manufacturing, quality, operations, procurement, and sales. Experience preparing and maintaining DFMEA, DVP&R, risk assessments, DFM, DFA, and product validation plans. Ability to mentor and guide junior engineers, sharing best practices and technical expertise. Comfort presenting technical information to customers, suppliers, and internal leadership. Experience in continuous improvement, quality initiatives, and manufacturing efficiency within a production environment. Work Environment The role operates in a manufacturing environment with close collaboration between engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and operations teams. The company offers a mid-sized atmosphere where employees have high visibility and regular access to leadership, enabling direct influence on product innovation, process improvements, quality initiatives, and manufacturing efficiency. The headquarters brings engineering, manufacturing, and distribution operations together under one roof, allowing team members to see projects progress from concept through production and customer delivery. The culture is hands‑on, and engineers spend meaningful time on the manufacturing floor troubleshooting equipment, improving processes, and supporting production. The environment is team‑oriented and focused on continuous improvement, quality, safety, and operational performance, in a fast‑paced setting that serves automotive and industrial customers with demanding quality and delivery expectations. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Oxford, NC. Pay And Benefits The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $90000.00/yr. 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. 401K plan Paid Time Off Health Insurance Vision Insurance Dental Insurance Life Insurance Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Oxford, NC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026. Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Oxford, NC. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Actalent