Senior Mechanical Designer

Job Title: Mechanical Designer Job Description The Mechanical Designer is responsible for creating detailed blueprints, drawings, and 3D models that support manufacturing packages for HVAC systems and components. This role focuses on thermal cooling systems and data center applications, working closely with the engineering team to develop production and installation manuals and to ensure accurate, clear documentation for manufacturing and assembly. The position provides design leadership, supports cross-functional collaboration, and helps deliver innovative and reliable mechanical solutions. Responsibilities

- Lead the creation and development of complex 3D models for equipment, assemblies, and components, ensuring design intent, manufacturability, and performance requirements are consistently met.
- Drive advanced sheet metal design work in SolidWorks, applying industry best practices and guiding other team members in proper modeling techniques.
- Oversee and approve complete manufacturing packages, including detailed shop drawings, assembly instructions, and fabrication documentation.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams, providing technical insight, resolving design challenges, and ensuring documentation accuracy across disciplines.
- Manage and control design data, including revisions, drawings, engineering changes, and bills of materials, maintaining configuration accuracy and adherence to established processes.
- Apply strong mechanical aptitude and analytical reasoning to support design feasibility reviews and mentor junior designers in effective problem-solving techniques.
- Develop and refine production and installation methodologies, documenting processes step by step for manuals and operational guides.
- Create and maintain high-quality installation, operation, and maintenance drawings and instructions that are clear, compliant, and easy for end users and field technicians to follow.
- Serve as a subject-matter resource by providing guidance, training, and design leadership to support team growth and project success.
- Participate in and occasionally lead manufacturing floor meetings, providing technical support and performing light-duty tasks as needed to validate designs or resolve issues.

Essential Skills

- Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including the ability to model complex assemblies and establish modeling standards for the design team.
- Strong 2D CAD skills, with experience creating, reviewing, and approving detailed drawings for manufacturing and documentation.
- 7+ years of progressive mechanical design experience, ideally in sheet metal or equipment manufacturing environments, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility and technical ownership.
- Deep understanding of manufacturing practices and processes, with the ability to guide designers and collaborate effectively with fabrication and assembly teams.
- Mechanical design expertise, including experience with complex assemblies and HVAC-related components.
- Hands-on experience creating and managing bills of materials and engineering change orders.
- Proficiency in interpreting and applying GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) in design and documentation.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, revisions, and deliverables with minimal oversight.
- Highly effective time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced engineering and production environment.
- Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional teams while providing technical expertise and mentoring junior designers.
- Comfort working across office and shop-floor environments, including extended time on CAD systems and hands-on interaction with physical components when necessary.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience designing sheet metal components and assemblies for manufacturability and performance.
- Experience in mechanical design for HVAC systems, thermal cooling solutions, or data center applications.
- Ability to set and enforce design and documentation standards for a broader design team.
- Experience developing installation, operation, and maintenance manuals and step-by-step process documentation.
- Capability to provide training and design leadership to support the development of less experienced designers.
- Comfort leading or contributing to manufacturing floor meetings and discussions to resolve technical issues.

Work Environment The role is based in an office and manufacturing environment, with significant time spent on CAD systems as well as periodic hands-on interaction with physical components on the shop floor. New hires are expected to be in the office every day during the first few weeks for onboarding. After onboarding, a hybrid schedule is available, with an expectation of three days in the office and two days remote each week. Flexibility is required, and team members are expected to adjust their in-office presence when project needs or on-site collaboration are necessary to successfully perform their job.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Maple Grove, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $94000.00/yr. 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. Medical, vision, and dental plans
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Group term life insurance coverage
HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
401k matching
Company paid events
Annual safety shoe allowance
Education assistance program
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Maple Grove, MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Maple Grove,MN. 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.