Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

This Design Engineer role focuses on developing, optimizing, and validating mechanical designs for large and heavy machinery using modern CAD tools. You will apply core engineering principles to create robust, manufacturable solutions, support new product development, and enhance existing equipment performance and reliability. The position offers strong growth potential within a rapidly expanding facility and a collaborative engineering team environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze engineering data and apply engineering principles to develop and refine CAD models that optimize design opportunities.
• Invent, design, document, build, and test new mechanical solutions for assigned industries using CAD tools such as SolidWorks.
• Use SolidWorks, PDMWorks, ECN tools, and other design tools to produce accurate prototype parts and design documentation.
• Design jigs and fixtures to support manufacturing and assembly processes for large and heavy machinery.
• Test design changes to improve machine performance, durability, and reliability, and document the results clearly.
• Identify the root cause of failures in manufactured or purchased components and propose effective corrective actions.
• Develop robust designs that consider strength of materials, fatigue, manufacturability, durability, and serviceability.
• Recognize and implement design commonality to improve efficiency and reduce complexity across products.
• Develop test plans, prepare detailed corporate test requests, support or oversee test execution, and review and process test data to provide meaningful results.
• Collaborate in a team of design engineers to achieve team goals, metrics, and project milestones.
• Respond promptly to production questions and issues, providing timely engineering solutions to support manufacturing.
• Operate basic mechanical tools and shop equipment, including hand tools, wrenches, drill presses, lathes, band saws, and assembly power tools, to support prototyping and testing activities.
• Effectively manage time and resources to meet internal customer needs and project schedules.

Essential Skills

• Four-year college degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Agricultural, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent education and experience.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling and mechanical design.
• Experience with large and heavy machinery design.
• Experience in jig and fixture design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Ability to identify root causes of failures in manufactured or purchased components.
• Knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA).
• Knowledge of hydraulics, electronics, and engine systems.
• Understanding of statistics as applied to engineering and product performance.
• Knowledge of strength of materials, fatigue strength, and durability.
• Understanding of product serviceability and manufacturability.
• Ability to create robust designs and identify necessary design changes early in the design process.
• Ability to recognize and apply design commonality across components and systems.
• Ability to develop test plans and prepare detailed test requests.
• Ability to review, interpret, and process test data and provide meaningful conclusions.
• Ability to operate simple mechanics tools and wrenches, assembly hand tools, drill presses, lathes, band saws, and assembly power tools.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet internal customer schedules.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to production questions and crises with practical engineering solutions.
• Ability to understand material strengths, fatigue behavior, and manufacturability to select appropriate configurations and materials.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on design engineering teams focused on large or heavy machinery.
• Familiarity with PDMWorks and ECN (Engineering Change Notice) tools for managing design data and changes.
• Comfort working in a prototype and test environment using shop tools and equipment.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on reliability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented engineering environment.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with internal customers, production personnel, and cross-functional teams.

Work Environment

You will work as part of a collaborative team of design engineers in a growing engineering and manufacturing environment. The organization is experiencing significant expansion, including recently doubling its facility square footage and securing new projects, which provides strong opportunities for professional growth and exposure to a wide range of design challenges. The role involves regular use of CAD tools such as SolidWorks, along with PDMWorks and ECN systems, to manage and implement design changes. You will also spend time in shop and test areas, using mechanical hand tools, power tools, drill presses, lathes, and band saws to support prototyping, assembly, and testing activities. The environment is goal-driven and metrics-focused, with close interaction between engineering and production teams to resolve issues quickly and support ongoing manufacturing operations.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Piedmont, SC.

The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $85000.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Piedmont,SC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 29, 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 ziprecruiter.com 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.