Mechanical Designer

Job Title: Mechanical Designer Job Description
This Mechanical Designer role focuses primarily on designing large-scale mechanical equipment used to transport, shape, and heat treat steel and other metals. The position centers on the design of levelers that flatten and shape material into finished products and conveyors that transport materials through chain conveyor systems. You will work mostly in SolidWorks and AutoCAD to create 2D and 3D designs of complex, heavy industrial components such as large bearings, steel rollers, and cassettes. Approximately 80–90% of your time will be dedicated to design work, with most engineering analysis completed by the engineering team. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented designer who enjoys variety, complex machinery, and working with large industrial components.
Responsibilities
- Use SolidWorks and AutoCAD to design 2D and 3D industrial equipment, including levelers, conveyors, and related machinery.
- Create detailed machine layouts for steel processing equipment, cassettes, and other machined parts.
- Develop and refine designs for large mechanical components such as bearings, steel rollers, and cassette assemblies.
- Participate in and collaborate during engineering design meetings to review concepts, requirements, and design updates.
- Detail individual components and assemblies to support fabrication, machining, and welding processes.
- Select appropriate materials, including various grades of steel and metals, for heat treatment and structural steel fabrication.
- Apply knowledge of different steel types (such as 1045 and 4140 steel, stainless steel, and carbon steel) to meet design and performance requirements.
- Perform reverse engineering and implement design changes on refurbished customer-supplied components.
- Prepare and maintain accurate bills of materials (BOMs) to support orders and production.
- Process and manage engineering change orders to update designs and documentation as needed.
- Support the transition of existing designs from AutoCAD to SolidWorks by updating and converting models and drawings.
- Collaborate frequently with the manufacturing team to address questions related to build, fabrication, and assembly.
- Ensure designs comply with manufacturing capabilities and support efficient steel fabrication, welding, and conveyor design.
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in design practices and product quality within a collaborative team environment.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 4+ years of experience using AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks for 2D and 3D mechanical design.
- Demonstrated experience designing industrial equipment involving steel components, welding, or fabrication.
- Background in automation or manufacturing equipment, particularly with large mechanical components or parts.
- Ability to create detailed mechanical layouts and component drawings for complex machinery.
- Experience with machine design for steel fabrication and conveyor systems.
- Capability to perform and manage engineering change orders and update design documentation.
- Proficiency in material selection for heat treatment and structural steel fabrication.
- Understanding of various steel and metal types, including 1045 steel, 4140 steel, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
- Solid working knowledge of SolidWorks and AutoCAD design tools for industrial applications.
- Familiarity with fabrication processes, welding design, and steel fabrication practices.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering and manufacturing teams in a design-focused environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working with very large mechanical components is highly preferred.
- Exposure to finite element analysis (FEA) to support mechanical design is beneficial.
- Knowledge of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) for precise manufacturing drawings.
- Experience in layout design for complex industrial machinery and production equipment.
- Background in heat treatment considerations within mechanical design.
- Interest in machine design engineering and desire to grow a career in this field.
- Ability to thrive in a challenging environment where each machine has unique specifications.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, manufacturable designs.
Work Environment
This role is based in a large industrial facility in Brighton, conveniently located near a major highway for easy access. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work is primarily performed in a cubicle-style office environment, using SolidWorks and AutoCAD on modern design workstations. You will collaborate frequently with the manufacturing team on the shop floor to discuss build questions and ensure designs are practical and efficient. The environment is friendly, supportive, and focused on positive improvement, with a culture that promotes upward mobility and professional growth. The team has very low turnover and includes colleagues with more than 10 years of tenure, offering strong mentorship and knowledge sharing. The work involves a variety of projects, as machines and specifications differ from order to order, providing ongoing technical challenges and opportunities to expand your expertise in machine design and steel fabrication.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Brighton, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $41.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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 Brighton,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 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 [email protected] 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.