Actalent

Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This Mechanical Engineer role supports by designing, building, and implementing custom machines, automation systems, and productivity solutions that enhance the capability and efficiency of laboratories across the US and North America. The position focuses on mechanical and electromechanical systems, automated equipment, and material handling solutions, with occasional collaboration with European engineering teams and limited travel as needed. The engineer will provide deep technical expertise, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and contribute to cost planning and tracking for engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and implement custom mechanical and electromechanical systems, automated equipment, and productivity solutions to support laboratory operations and deliver project scopes.
• Develop mechanical designs for automated equipment, including machine design and material handling systems, ensuring robust performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with European engineering counterparts to share best practices, align on technical standards, and leverage shared technical resources.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers, integrators, and fabrication partners to support the design, build, and integration of custom systems.
• Work closely with finance and accounting teams to plan, budget, and track engineering project costs, ensuring projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Provide deep technical expertise in mechanical engineering, automation, and system-level design, including diagnosing and troubleshooting complex mechanical and automation systems.
• Support and promote compliance with safety, quality, and internal policies across all engineering activities and project implementations.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of automated platforms, including servo-hydraulic or other automated systems used in laboratory environments.
• Apply 3D design tools to create detailed models, assemblies, and documentation for custom machines and automation solutions.
• Support testing environments by designing and implementing systems capable of handling rupture, tensile, fatigue, fracture, and other mechanical test conditions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar field.
• 5+ years of mechanical design experience with automated equipment.
• Hands-on experience with machine design, including automated and electromechanical systems.
• Experience working with servo-hydraulic or automated platforms.
• 3D design experience for mechanical components, assemblies, and systems.
• Strong skills in diagnosing and troubleshooting mechanical and automation systems.
• Solid understanding of mechanical design principles applied to automation and laboratory equipment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, finance, and external partners.
• Strong communication skills to work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers or integrators.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Working knowledge of safety and quality management and compliance systems, including experience with ISO and/or Nadcap standards.
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles with an emphasis on testing environments such as rupture, tensile, fatigue, and fracture testing.
• Proficiency with programming fundamentals, including structured text or ladder logic for automation and control systems.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and test instrumentation, such as LabVIEW and/or Dasylab.
• Experience collaborating with international engineering teams and sharing technical resources.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers, integrators, and fabrication partners.
• Familiarity with budgeting and cost tracking for engineering projects.

Work Environment

The Mechanical Engineer works within a laboratory-focused engineering environment that emphasizes custom machine design, automation, and electromechanical systems to support testing and productivity. The role involves close collaboration with laboratory personnel, finance teams, and external suppliers, as well as occasional coordination with European engineering counterparts. The environment includes the use of 3D design tools, automated equipment, servo-hydraulic platforms, and data acquisition systems such as LabVIEW and Dasylab. Work typically takes place in an office and lab setting where safety, quality, and compliance standards such as ISO and Nadcap are important. Limited travel may be required to support projects, work with partners, or collaborate with other engineering teams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fairfield, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $43.27 - $57.69/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fairfield,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 2026.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.