Mechanical Design Engineer - Dept Of Defense

Job Description

Job Description

Mechanical Engineer - Department of DefenseDesign Complex Systems. Solve Technical Challenges. Support Next-Generation Testing.

Are you a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys working on highly custom equipment, complex mechanical systems, and challenging engineering problems that do not come with a one-size-fits-all solution?

We are seeking a skilled Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, and validation of custom mechanical and structural systems used in advanced wind tunnel and ground test environments. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys taking concepts from early design through analysis, documentation, fabrication support, installation, and commissioning.

If you have experience with mechanical design, FEA, welded steel structures, pressure vessels, piping systems, process equipment, and large industrial systems , this is a great opportunity to work on technically challenging projects in a collaborative engineering environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will help design and validate custom mechanical systems and equipment for new facilities, major upgrades, and complex test environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical subsystems for custom engineered equipment and facility upgrades.
• Work on systems that may include:
  • Welded steel structures
  • Pressure vessels
  • Piping systems
  • Mechanical mechanisms
  • Rotating equipment
  • Pneumatic systems
  • Hydraulic systems
  • Fuel systems
  • Cooling water systems
  • Process equipment
• Perform FEA and supporting calculations to validate mechanical and structural designs.
• Develop design criteria, calculation packages, procurement specifications, technical reports, and verification plans.
• Collaborate with designers to create accurate drawings, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation.
• Review designs for manufacturability, performance, safety, and customer requirements.
• Support procurement and subcontractor coordination when components or systems are outsourced.
• Participate in internal and customer design reviews.
• Provide technical support to fabrication, procurement, assembly, installation, and commissioning teams.
• Assist with vendor selection, quality review, site surveys, and equipment installation.
• Coordinate with project managers, chief engineers, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Support future project proposals through technical concepts, cost estimates, and written proposal content.

What We’re Looking ForRequired Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design, systems engineering, or design engineering.
• Experience with large industrial equipment, complex mechanical systems, or facility-based engineering projects.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools for mechanical design.
• SolidWorks experience preferred, but other 3D CAD platforms will be considered.
• Strong FEA experience for mechanical and structural analysis.
• ANSYS experience preferred, or similar FEA software.
• Experience designing and analyzing welded steel structures.
• Experience with fluid/process systems including valves, filters, pumps, instrumentation, and piping.
• Knowledge of fabrication methods such as forming, welding, machining, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience with pressure vessels and piping systems using applicable codes such as B31.3, PED, or similar standards.
• Familiarity with GD&T and engineering documentation standards.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities independently.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, typically less than 10%.
• Must meet US Person requirements based on applicable security requirements.

Preferred Background

Candidates with experience in any of the following areas are highly encouraged to apply:

• Aerospace engineering environments
• Wind tunnel or ground test facilities
• Large industrial equipment
• Custom mechanical equipment
• High-temperature systems
• Mechanical test systems
• Pressure vessels and process piping
• Structural analysis and mechanical substantiation
• Advanced manufacturing environments
• New facility development or major facility upgrades

Additional strengths include:

• Experience with high-temperature environments above approximately 2000&degree;F
• Transient heat transfer analysis
• Cooling method design
• High-temperature materials such as superalloys, ceramics, or thermal barrier coatings
• Understanding of subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic aerodynamics
• Experience with FMEA, HAZOP, safety risk assessments, or similar risk analysis methods
• Ability to lead or contribute to customer-facing design reviews
• Experience supporting technical proposal development

What Makes You Successful

You are a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving problems that require both technical depth and practical judgment.

You understand how to move a design from concept to analysis, documentation, fabrication, and installation. You are comfortable working with designers, project managers, vendors, and technical teams to keep projects moving while maintaining quality and accuracy.

You take ownership of your work, communicate clearly, and enjoy being part of a team that is building complex systems where details matter.

Why This Opportunity?

Work on highly custom mechanical systems and one-of-a-kind equipment

Support advanced wind tunnel, aerospace, and complex test facility projects

Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams

Use modern design and analysis tools including 3D CAD and FEA

Gain exposure to design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning

Contribute to a growing organization with technically challenging project work

Play a meaningful role in new facility development and major system upgrades

Ideal Candidate Backgrounds

• Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Design Engineer
• Structural Mechanical Engineer
• Systems Engineer
• Aerospace Mechanical Engineer
• FEA Engineer
• Mechanical Project Engineer
• Pressure Vessel Engineer
• Piping Engineer
• Process Equipment Engineer
• Test Systems Engineer
• Industrial Equipment Engineer

Ready to Engineer Something That Has Never Been Built Before?

If you are a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys complex design work, detailed analysis, and supporting custom mechanical systems from concept through installation, we would like to connect with you. This is an opportunity to work on challenging projects where your engineering decisions directly impact performance, safety, and successful project delivery.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Paul, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/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 hybrid position in Saint Paul,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 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 us.fitly.work 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.