Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer Job Description
This role focuses on the mechanical design of machines and conveyor systems using SolidWorks, supporting automation and powertrain-related projects. You will own projects from concept through completion as the primary designer, collaborating closely with electrical and sales teams, communicating directly with customers, and providing field installation support. The position offers a stable workload with opportunities to work hands-on in the shop and to travel for installation and customer support.
Responsibilities
- Design machines and conveyor systems using SolidWorks, with responsibility for creating detailed mechanical models, assemblies, and drawings.
- Oversee projects from start to finish as the primary designer, ensuring all mechanical design aspects align with project requirements and standards.
- Collaborate with electrical engineering and sales teams to develop integrated automation solutions and ensure cohesive project execution.
- Communicate directly with customers to understand their needs, clarify specifications, and ensure designs meet project expectations.
- Deliver projects on time and within budget, proactively managing design scope, schedule, and resource constraints.
- Perform cost estimating and prepare quotes for mechanical systems and conveyor solutions.
- Provide field installation support, including travel to customer sites to assist with assembly, installation, and troubleshooting of equipment.
- Create and maintain customer documentation, including drawings, manuals, and technical specifications for machines and conveyor systems.
- Support shop activities by working hands-on with machine shop personnel to review builds, resolve design issues, and verify manufacturability.
- Participate in project management activities related to mechanical design, including coordination of tasks, status updates, and alignment with project timelines.
- Work with automation systems, powertrain-related equipment, conveyors, and pneumatics to develop robust and reliable mechanical solutions.
- Use Microsoft Office and other standard tools to document work, prepare reports, and communicate project information.
- Collaborate effectively with leadership, including Japanese leadership, to align designs and project execution with organizational standards.
- Provide installation assembly support for conveyor systems and automation equipment, ensuring proper mechanical fit and function.
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in design practices, documentation, and installation processes.
Essential Skills
- Proficiency in mechanical design of machines and conveyor systems.
- Strong experience using SolidWorks for mechanical design; Inventor experience may be considered as an alternative.
- Background in mechanical engineering with the ability to design complex assemblies and systems.
- Experience in the automotive industry, particularly with conveyor systems and automation related to powertrain operations.
- Knowledge of conveyors and conveyor system design, including layout, components, and integration with automation.
- Understanding of pneumatics and their application in automated machinery.
- Experience with automation systems and machine design for industrial environments.
- Ability to perform cost estimating and prepare accurate quotes for mechanical projects.
- Competence in project management related to mechanical design, including planning and coordination of design activities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office for documentation, communication, and reporting.
- Willingness and ability to travel approximately 40% of the time, primarily for installation and customer support.
- Ability and willingness to work alongside Japanese leadership in a collaborative environment.
- Capability to provide field installation support and work hands-on with equipment during assembly and installation.
- Strong communication skills for interacting with customers, internal teams, and shop personnel.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering is preferred; equivalent experience may be considered in place of a degree.
- Experience supporting automotive customers, including work related to major manufacturers.
- Familiarity with powertrain-related automation and equipment.
- Comfort working in an open, collaborative office environment and in a shop setting.
- Interest in long-term career paths that may include either a management route (leading people) or a senior professional route (technical expert without direct reports).
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering projects on time and under budget.
Work Environment
This is a full-time, onsite position with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an expectation of working around 50 hours per week and supporting shutdowns, which may occur during holidays. Approximately 6070% of your time will be spent at a desk in an open floor plan office that encourages collaboration among engineers and other team members. The remaining time involves shop support, where you can work hands-on with equipment and interact closely with machine shop personnel. About 40% travel is required, primarily to North American locations for installation support and customer collaboration. Remote work is not an option for this role. The company offers 10 paid time off days and 6 paid holidays during the first 12 months, stable 40-hour work weeks outside of installation periods, and a culture characterized by loyal, long-tenured employees and leadership. When in a full-time status, the organization pays 100% of healthcare premiums, automatically contributes 3% to a 401(k), provides an annual bonus each November based on company performance, and offers annual salary increases. The culture supports both managerial and senior professional career paths, allowing you to grow either as a people manager or as a highly skilled technical expert.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Georgetown, KY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $49.00/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Georgetown, KY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Georgetown,KY. 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.