Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This full-time Mechanical Engineer role focuses on designing, developing, and supporting aerospace safety restraint systems and related hardware. The engineer creates new designs and modifies existing products, provides technical support to internal and external stakeholders, and ensures compliance with aerospace, commercial, military, and FAA requirements. The position offers the opportunity to work in a small-company environment with broad responsibilities while benefiting from the resources and stability of a larger parent organization.

Responsibilities

• Create new mechanical designs and modify existing products based on specifications coordinated with engineering, customers, and the sales team.

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for national (commercial and government) and international customers, responding to technical inquiries and supporting customer needs.

• Provide engineering design support for program proposals by generating preliminary design concepts, technical descriptions, nonrecurring and recurring cost estimates, and task schedules.

• Interpret, select, and apply commercial and military specifications, as well as customer requirements, to hardware and processes to meet specific design requirements.

• Provide hands-on engineering support for component fabrication and assembly of prototype, test, and production hardware, resolving design, manufacturing, assembly, quality, and performance issues.

• Advise engineering leadership of any issues that arise during design execution that could affect schedules, budgets, or the technical quality of the final product.

• Review and address issues related to product function, safety, and structural integrity to ensure reliable and compliant designs.

• Prepare and maintain drawing packages, assembly documents, bills of materials, engineering change orders, and technical reports in accordance with ANSI Y14.5 drafting standards.

• Perform structural analysis and other technical evaluations to validate designs and support certification efforts.

• Participate in cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, test, certification, and purchasing teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet testing and regulatory requirements.

• Proactively identify potential challenges related to testing, manufacturability, and design for manufacturing (DFM), and drive solutions to completion.

• Take ownership of assigned tasks and projects, ensuring on-time delivery of development projects within budget and in alignment with performance expectations.

• Support efforts to achieve FAA airworthiness certification for product designs by ensuring compliance with applicable aerospace and FAA requirements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited university or college, or a technical degree with approximately 10 years of relevant experience considered on a case-by-case basis; enrollment in a Bachelor program may be taken into consideration.

• Minimum of three years of related mechanical engineering work experience.

• At least three years of SolidWorks and AutoCAD experience, with a proficiency level suitable for independent design work (approximately mid-level competency).

• Mechanical aerospace mechanism design experience of at least three years, particularly with safety restraint or similar aerospace hardware.

• Proficiency in the use of AutoCAD and SolidWorks for 3D modeling, drafting, and design documentation.

• Working knowledge and practical application of ANSI Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), including periodic use in design and drawing creation.

• Ability to interpret and apply commercial and military specifications, as well as customer requirements, to mechanical hardware and processes.

• Familiarity with sheet metal, injection molded, and machined parts and their associated design and manufacturing considerations.

• Experience with packaging design of aerospace hardware, including integration into larger systems.

• Ability to create and maintain drawing packages, assembly documents, bills of materials (BOMs), engineering change orders (ECOs), and technical reports.

• Capability to perform structural analysis to support design validation and safety assessments.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a results-driven mindset.

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact positively and effectively with co-workers, suppliers, management, and customers.

• Effective time management skills and the ability to meet scheduled deadlines in a dynamic engineering environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering is preferred; other technical degrees with significant relevant experience may be considered.

• Preferred experience with aerospace and FAA requirements, particularly related to safety restraints and airworthiness certification.

• Experience working in small to mid-sized companies where engineers assume multiple responsibilities and work across functions.

• Experience using GD&T (ANSI Y14.5) on a recurring basis in engineering drawings and documentation.

• Exposure to or experience with FAA airworthiness certification processes for aerospace products.

• Demonstrated ability to work proactively by identifying potential design, test, or manufacturability issues early and driving corrective actions.

• Curious, ownership-driven mindset with a desire to understand complex systems and see tasks and projects through to completion.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional groups such as manufacturing, test, certification, and purchasing.

• Comfort working within structured performance expectations, including weekly progress updates and project deadlines.

• Ability to thrive in an environment with a small-company culture combined with the support and resources of a larger corporate structure.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $43.26 - $48.08/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 Phoenix,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.