Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer Job Description This Mechanical Engineer role provides technical leadership within a multidisciplinary engineering team and owns the high-voltage mechanical design of advanced battery products from concept through mass production. The position focuses on high-voltage power distribution, electromechanical and enclosure design, electronics packaging for harsh environments, and mechanical design analysis to deliver reliable, manufacturable, and safe medium- to high-volume products. Responsibilities

- Provide technical leadership and mentorship within a multidisciplinary engineering team, fostering growth and strong problem-solving skills across team members.
- Own the high-voltage mechanical design of battery products, including high-voltage distribution such as busbars and cables, isolation, grounding, harnessing, connectors, overmolded bussing, and plastic and metal enclosures for PCBAs and electrical assemblies.
- Design safety-related elements and interlocks including contactors, fuses, and other protection components in high-voltage systems.
- Design and optimize high-voltage joints, such as bolted and welded connections, to ensure long-term reliability and performance.
- Address challenges related to electronics packaging, including electrical isolation, sealing, thermal management, interconnection, and shock and vibration mitigation.
- Lead root cause analyses (RCAs) and drive cross-functional interface design to resolve complex engineering issues and align mechanical and electrical interfaces.
- Perform mechanical design analyses, including thermal and structural evaluations, design for assembly (DFA), and design for test (DFT).
- Own mechanical designs from initial concept through iterative development to mass production, ensuring manufacturability, reliability, and safety at each stage.
- Create complete drawing packages and manufacturing instructions for parts and assemblies, including detailed specifications and GD&T.
- Design and develop electromechanical systems integrating high-power electrical components into mechanical structures and enclosures.
- Design enclosures for high-power electrical components, including large sheet metal parts and complex electromechanical assemblies.
- Apply cost modeling and multi-physics simulations, such as thermal, CFD, and structural analyses, to optimize designs and support system-level trade-offs.
- Model resistive losses and perform current density analyses to optimize busbar geometry and sizing to meet system performance, efficiency, and mass requirements.
- Ensure compliance with relevant creepage and clearance standards (such as IEC and UL) and integrate these requirements into mechanical and electrical layouts.
- Collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment to integrate mechanical designs with electrical, manufacturing, and test requirements.

Essential Skills

- A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
- For candidates with a bachelors degree, at least 6 years of relevant experience developing medium- to high-volume products.
- For candidates with a masters degree, at least 4 years of relevant experience developing medium- to high-volume products.
- Proven experience in both electrical and mechanical design for complex electromechanical systems.
- Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks and NX for mechanical design and detailed modeling.
- Strong mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals, including the ability to perform first-principles hand calculations.
- Expertise in GD&T and the creation of precise engineering drawings and tolerances.
- Direct experience with high-volume manufacturing, fabrication, and prototyping techniques.
- Experience designing tight-tolerance components for harsh environments with a focus on DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly).
- Solid understanding of power distribution, electrical circuits, and protection devices used in high-voltage systems.
- Superb understanding of creepage and clearance analysis and standards, including IEC and UL requirements.
- Ability to model resistive losses and run current density analyses to optimize busbar geometry and sizing.
- Power electronics mechanical experience, including experience with busbars, connectors, and basic thermal analysis using hand calculations and spreadsheet tools.
- Experience integrating high-power electrical components into mechanical enclosures, including large sheet metal parts and electromechanical design.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to balance speed, rigor, and safety in decision-making.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience leading root cause analysis efforts and driving cross-functional interface design.
- Hands-on experience with multi-physics simulations such as thermal, CFD, and structural analysis to support design optimization.
- Ability to navigate system-level trade-offs and incorporate them into architecture studies and mechanical design decisions.
- Experience in designing components and assemblies for harsh operating environments, including considerations for sealing, vibration, and thermal management.
- Familiarity with design for test methodologies and creating testable mechanical systems.
- Comfort working with overmolded bussing, harnessing, and complex connector systems in high-voltage applications.

Work Environment This role is based onsite in Berkeley and involves close collaboration with a multidisciplinary engineering team in a fast-paced, hands-on product development environment. Work is centered around advanced battery and high-power electromechanical systems, using modern CAD tools and simulation software, and engaging directly with manufacturing, fabrication, and prototyping activities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Berkeley, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $80.00/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 Berkeley, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Berkeley,CA. 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.