Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer Job Description This hands-on Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer role combines SolidWorks design with plant-floor engineering in a dynamic manufacturing environment. You will design and improve equipment and tooling, troubleshoot production issues, support automation and process improvements, and own engineering projects from concept through fabrication, installation, testing, and full production. In this position, you will see your designs come to life on the manufacturing floor and have a direct, visible impact on operations within a close-knit facility. Responsibilities

- Design and modify equipment, tooling, fixtures, molds, jigs, and mechanical components using SolidWorks.
- Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, drawings, specifications, and bills of materials (BOMs) for new and existing equipment.
- Troubleshoot production equipment and mechanical systems directly on the plant floor in partnership with Maintenance, Operations, Production, and Mold & Die teams.
- Support and improve manufacturing equipment, including pumps, motors, VFDs, pneumatics, hydraulics, vacuum systems, belts, and related mechanical systems.
- Lead equipment, automation, and continuous-improvement projects to enhance throughput, reliability, safety, and ease of operation.
- Own engineering projects from initial concept through SolidWorks design, fabrication, installation, testing, and successful transition into production.
- Support 3D printing and rapid prototyping activities to validate concepts and designs before committing to full fabrication.
- Coordinate closely with machinists, fabricators, vendors, and contractors to ensure designs are manufacturable and delivered on time.
- Manage capital and equipment-related projects, including planning, technical documentation, and implementation on the production floor.
- Identify and implement process improvements that make manufacturing faster, more reliable, and more automated.
- Respond to equipment and production-down situations, diagnose mechanical issues, and implement practical, timely solutions.
- Work directly with operations and maintenance teams to understand equipment problems, define mechanical changes, and verify that solutions perform reliably in production.
- Maintain clear communication with cross-functional teams and provide updates on project status, risks, and timelines.
- Contribute to a creative engineering environment by proposing new ideas, improving existing designs, and challenging the status quo where appropriate.

Essential Skills

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline preferred.
- Ideally 5+ years of mechanical, manufacturing, equipment, or related engineering experience; open to different experience levels.
- Strong proficiency with SolidWorks, including creating mechanical designs, assemblies, drawings, and specifications.
- Experience designing equipment, tooling, fixtures, molds, machine components, or mechanical systems for manufacturing environments.
- Understanding of manufacturing equipment and mechanical systems, including common production machinery and support systems.
- Ability to troubleshoot equipment and mechanical problems directly in a production environment.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage and own engineering projects from design through implementation.
- Comfort working hands-on with manufacturing equipment rather than solely performing CAD or desk-based design work.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with maintenance, operations, production, and external partners.
- Solid problem-solving skills and a practical, solutions-oriented mindset in a fast-moving manufacturing setting.
- Experience with automation and manufacturing processes, including machine design and process improvement initiatives.
- Project management capabilities, including planning, organizing, and executing engineering projects to completion.
- Experience with mechanical design principles such as motion control, machine design, and assembly drawings.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience with 3D printing or rapid prototyping to support design validation and iteration.
- Background in automation engineering or process improvement projects within manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience with pumps, motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), pneumatics, hydraulics, and vacuum systems.
- Mold, die, fixture, tooling, and jig design experience in a production environment.
- Vendor, contractor, or capital project management experience, including coordination and technical oversight.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar CAD tools in addition to SolidWorks.
- Experience in new product development and translating concepts into manufacturable designs.
- Comfort working in a smaller, lean engineering team where individuals wear multiple hats and have broad responsibility.
- Interest in creative problem-solving and designing new solutions rather than only maintaining existing drawings.
- Ability to thrive in a setting where priorities can shift quickly due to production or equipment issues.

Work Environment This role is fully on-site, five days per week, in a smaller, close-knit manufacturing facility. The position offers a mix of desk-based design work and hands-on plant-floor engineering, with the engineer often spending several hours at a time on the floor depending on project needs. The environment includes active manufacturing operations with machinery, noise, dust, heat, and forklift traffic, requiring awareness of safety and production activity. You will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Production, and Mold & Die teams in a non-siloed structure where collaboration and wearing multiple hats are part of everyday work. The culture emphasizes high ownership, visibility, and impact, allowing you to see your designs being built and used on the floor. Typical days can change quickly when there is a production-down situation or urgent equipment issue, providing variety and the opportunity to make an immediate difference. Seeking talent in the mid-Willamette Valley. #LI-MH3
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Albany, OR.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/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 Albany, OR.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Albany,OR. 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.