About this role
Job Title: Mechanical Engineer Job Description
This Mechanical Engineer role focuses on the design, development, and implementation of complex electro-mechanical hardware for advanced RF and airborne systems. You will work closely with electrical and RF engineers to translate system-level requirements into robust mechanical designs, lead efforts across the full hardware development lifecycle, and support assembly, integration, and testing activities. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to mission-focused defense and aerospace systems while working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
Responsibilities
- Interface with the broader hardware team, including electrical and RF engineers, to ensure complete and proper implementation of system requirements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand system requirements and specifications as they relate to assigned mechanical tasks.
- Lead efforts to design and implement hardware designs and support assembly, integration, and testing of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems.
- Decompose high-level needs into detailed mechanical requirements that guide design and implementation.
- Create detailed 3D CAD models using SolidWorks and PDM, including drawings, bills of materials, and documentation suitable for fabrication and assembly.
- Conduct structural, vibration, shock, and thermal analyses using both finite element methods and approximate (back-of-the-envelope) techniques to ensure robust designs.
- Identify and specify mechanical components, materials, and vendors to meet performance, cost, and schedule objectives.
- Design mechanical hardware for RF systems intended for airborne applications, with flexibility to support other applications as needed.
- Support integration and test activities, including verification of designs against specifications and resolution of mechanical issues discovered during testing.
- Ensure designs comply with relevant specifications and standards, such as MIL-STD-810 and other applicable defense and aerospace requirements.
- Prepare and present technical information for design and program reviews, including System Requirements Reviews (SRRs), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs).
- Work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, often under tight deadlines, to deliver sustainable, reliable, and cost-efficient capabilities.
- Pursue continuous improvement by taking on new challenges, broadening technical skills, and increasing overall value to the organization.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in a relevant engineering discipline with at least 5 years of applicable experience, or a Masters degree with at least 3 years of applicable experience, or a PhD; equivalent experience will be considered.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks for creating detailed 3D mechanical designs and associated documentation for fabrication and assembly.
- Experience using Product Data Management (PDM) tools in support of CAD and configuration control.
- Expertise with structural, vibration, shock, and thermal analyses using ANSYS or similar finite element analysis tools.
- Demonstrated experience performing both finite element and approximate (back-of-the-envelope) analyses for structural, shock, vibration, and thermal mitigation.
- Experience designing mechanical systems to meet formal specifications, including compliance with standards such as MIL-STD-810.
- Hands-on experience with integration and test activities for mechanical or electro-mechanical hardware, including structural, vibration, shock, and environmental testing.
- Full hardware development lifecycle experience, from requirements decomposition through design, analysis, integration, and test.
- Background working with electro-mechanical systems for airborne, radar, defense, or aerospace applications.
- Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams, including hardware, electrical, RF, and software engineers.
- Strong communication skills with experience providing information and documentation for technical reviews such as SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, and TIMs.
- Self-motivated and detail-oriented approach, with the ability to manage tasks and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship as defined by the U.S. Government.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
- Experience supporting advanced multi-function radar systems or related RF systems from a mechanical perspective.
- Familiarity with mechanical design considerations specific to airborne platforms and operationally relevant environments.
- Experience working within organizations focused on national defense capabilities and mission-driven technology development.
- Demonstrated desire to take on new challenges, broaden technical expertise, and assume greater responsibilities over time.
Work Environment
The role operates in a professional office setting with a hybrid work schedule that provides flexibility between on-site and remote work, supporting a healthy worklife balance. You will work within a System Development Division environment focused on delivering national defense capabilities, where teams consider the entire lifecycle of solutions from conceptualization and architecture through development and deployment. The work centers on advanced technology systems, including multi-function radar and RF applications, that must function in operationally relevant environments and timeframes. You will collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams of researchers and engineers, using tools such as SolidWorks, PDM, and ANSYS, and participating in structured technical reviews and program milestones.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Woburn, MA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $135000.00 - $150000.00/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 position based out of Woburn, MA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Woburn,MA. 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.