Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Job Description
The Mechanical Design Engineer plays a critical role on the integrated design and systems team, ensuring that all equipment designs meet mission and performance requirements. This position focuses on analyzing, designing, and modeling product enhancements for existing programs while also supporting conceptual designs for new initiatives. The engineer collaborates closely with production and testing teams to deliver practical, functional, and compliant equipment solutions.
Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, and model product enhancements for existing programs and support conceptual designs for new programs.
• Provide practical, functional, and compliant equipment designs that meet mission and performance requirements.
• Read and interpret specifications, proposals, pricing information, and technical correspondence to inform design decisions.
• Evaluate designs for performance, safety, and reliability, and adjust designs as needed to meet requirements.
• Perform engineering analysis to support the selection of parts, components, and materials that satisfy technical and functional needs.
• Generate detailed technical component documentation to support manufacturing, testing, and future design changes.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to production teams during builds and to testing teams during validation activities.
• Prepare clear and accurate technical proposals, quotations, reports, and presentations to support internal and external stakeholders.
• Work on the shop floor during first-time builds to support manufacturing, resolve issues, and ensure design intent is met.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in 3D modeling using Creo.
• Experience with SolidWorks for mechanical design and modeling.
• Strong computer-aided design (CAD) skills for mechanical components and assemblies.
• Hands-on experience with sheet metal design, including forming and fabrication considerations.
• Experience with metal fabrication processes and design for manufacturability.
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications, proposals, and engineering documentation.
• Capability to evaluate designs for performance, safety, and reliability using sound engineering principles.
• Experience performing engineering analysis to support selection of parts, components, and materials.
• Ability to generate clear and comprehensive technical component documentation.
• Skill in preparing technical proposals, quotations, reports, and presentations.
• Willingness to work on the shop floor during first-time builds to support production.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience as a mechanical design engineer or in a similar mechanical design role.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with production and testing teams to resolve design and build issues.
• Comfort working with sheet metal and metal fabrication in a hands-on environment.
• Strong communication skills to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and a focus on creating compliant, reliable, and maintainable designs.

Work Environment
The role operates in a mixed office and manufacturing environment, where the engineer uses CAD tools such as Creo and SolidWorks to develop and refine mechanical designs. The position involves regular interaction with the shop floor, especially during first-time builds, to support production and ensure that designs translate effectively into manufacturable products. The engineer works closely with production and testing teams in a collaborative setting that emphasizes practical, functional, and compliant equipment solutions. The work environment supports hands-on engagement with sheet metal and metal fabrication processes and encourages direct involvement in build and test activities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of East Peoria, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $43.27/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 East Peoria,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 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.