Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer – Automation Solutions

Job Description

This role focuses on developing well-engineered mechanical designs for automated assembly systems used across industries such as life sciences, food and beverage, transportation, consumer products, and energy. You will use SolidWorks to create layouts, assemblies, detailed drawings, bills of materials, and specifications while collaborating closely with a multidisciplinary project team. The position supports a high volume of automation projects and begins as a three-month contract with strong potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role. This is an on-site position with no remote work option.

Responsibilities

• Develop concepts and detailed mechanical designs for mechanisms used in automated assembly systems, ensuring robust function and manufacturability.

• Use SolidWorks to produce layout drawings, assembly-level drawings, detail drawings, bills of materials, and specifications that meet project requirements.

• Participate in design schedule development, design reviews, and post-project review meetings to ensure projects stay on track and lessons learned are captured.

• Coordinate closely with project team members, including lead designers and engineers, to maintain consistency in designs and to meet defined project goals for function, quality, and schedule.

• Analyze engineering sketches, specifications, and related data to determine shapes, dimensions, tolerances, material properties, and other design factors for industrial manufacturing equipment, processes, and products.

• Develop and recommend sound construction concepts that support cost-effective manufacturability, field interchangeability, tolerance management, maintainability, and functionality.

• Recognize high-risk mechanisms and develop prototypes to validate concepts and mitigate technical risk.

• Produce clear and accurate assembly and detail drawings that meet project schedules, keeping designs as simple and cost-effective as possible by leveraging existing designs and commercially available components.

• Update and revise drawings as required to meet functional requirements and accommodate design changes throughout the project lifecycle.

• Review vendor capabilities and proactively advance-order long lead-time materials to support project schedules.

• Generate adjustment procedures and spare parts lists for each mechanism as needed to support installation, operation, and maintenance.

• Provide technical support to manufacturing and assembly teams during the build phase, helping to resolve design-related issues and ensure design intent is met.

• Maintain proficiency with applicable industry standards, internal standards, methods, and best practices related to mechanical design and automation.

• Maintain proficiency with all software and computer tools regularly used in mechanical design, particularly SolidWorks.

• Stay current with leading-edge technology, new products, and mechanical construction techniques to continually improve design quality and efficiency.

• Assist in the standardization of components and mechanisms to improve consistency, reduce costs, and streamline future projects.

• Extend effort and commitment to meet or exceed customer expectations regarding function, quality, and schedule.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2 years of mechanical design experience specifically in automation environments.

• 2–6 years of automation experience, including at least 2 years of automation mechanical design experience.

• Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D design, including layouts, assemblies, and detailed component models.

• Hands-on experience with automated equipment, automated machinery, automation systems, or turnkey automation equipment.

• Strong background in mechanical design and mechanical engineering design for industrial or manufacturing equipment.

• Ability to analyze engineering sketches, specifications, and related data to define dimensions, tolerances, materials, and machining requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to design for manufacturability, field interchangeability, tolerance management, maintainability, and functionality.

• Experience producing assembly drawings, detail drawings, bills of materials, and specifications for automation projects.

• Ability to coordinate with cross-functional project teams and contribute to design reviews and project schedule planning.

• Proficiency in using 3D design tools and computer-based design methods for mechanical engineering.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to recognize and address high-risk mechanisms through prototyping.

• Capability to provide technical support to manufacturing and assembly during the build phase.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent high-level experience in mechanical design and automation in lieu of a four-year degree.

• Experience designing conveyor systems or other material handling equipment within automated environments.

• Familiarity with repeat automation, custom automation, and a variety of automation products across multiple industries.

• Experience working with turnkey equipment projects, from concept through build and support.

• Ability to generate adjustment procedures and spare parts lists to support operations and maintenance.

• Experience reviewing vendor capabilities and managing long lead-time materials for projects.

• Interest in and commitment to staying current with new mechanical design techniques, products, and technologies.

• Ability to contribute to the standardization of components and mechanisms to improve efficiency and consistency across projects.

• Desire to work on a variety of projects and expand skills in different directions within a large, diversified organization.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office environment and requires on-site work; remote work is not available for this position. You will work with modern engineering tools, including SolidWorks and other computer-based design software, to support the design of automated equipment and systems. The organization is a large automation solutions provider that serves multiple industries, offering exposure to a diverse range of projects and technologies. The diversified industry base supports stability and provides opportunities to branch out and grow in different technical and project directions. You will collaborate closely with project managers, mechanical designers, mechanical project engineers, manufacturing, and assembly teams in a professional setting focused on quality, schedule, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $48.00/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 Lewis Center,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 3, 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.