Design Engineer

Job Title: Design EngineerJob Description

This hands-on Design Engineer role supports a technical engineering, test, and build environment focused on developing equipment and hardware used for testing and verification activities. The position combines mechanical design with active participation in build and integration, so you will work well beyond creating CAD models and drawings. You will design and help bring into production test racks, rack-mount enclosures, bulkhead panels, fixtures, and PCBA bed-of-nails fixtures using SolidWorks. You will manage designs from concept through detailed 3D modeling and manufacturing drawings, support production-readiness reviews, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that designs are manufacturable, robust, and ready for real-world use.

Responsibilities

• Create complex 3D part models and assemblies in SolidWorks for test equipment and related hardware.

• Develop detailed 2D manufacturing drawings using GD&T, appropriate dimensioning, and tolerancing practices.

• Design test racks, rack-mount enclosures, bulkhead panels, mechanical fixtures, and PCBA bed-of-nails fixtures.

• Utilize advanced SolidWorks functions including sheet metal, weldments, and surfacing to create production-ready designs.

• Manage and maintain part libraries to ensure consistency and reuse across projects.

• Work directly with Production, Logistics, and other departments throughout the design and build process to ensure alignment and manufacturability.

• Participate hands-on during build and integration activities to validate designs and support assembly.

• Lead internal and external design reviews to communicate design intent and gather feedback.

• Support production-readiness reviews before designs move into build, ensuring all documentation and details are complete.

• Manage several design projects simultaneously at different stages of completion while maintaining quality and timelines.

• Design with reuse, manufacturability, and production efficiency in mind, applying design-for-production principles.

• Troubleshoot design and build issues, updating and modifying designs as necessary to resolve problems and improve performance.

Essential Skills

• Recent, hands-on SolidWorks experience with a strong focus on 3D part and assembly modeling.

• Ability to create both conceptual designs and fully detailed production-ready models.

• Experience creating detailed 2D manufacturing drawings suitable for production.

• Working knowledge of GD&T for accurate and robust dimensioning and tolerancing.

• Experience designing components or equipment that are physically built and manufactured, not solely conceptual CAD.

• SolidWorks experience with product or data management tools, or comparable product/data management experience.

• Strong understanding of manufacturability and design-for-production principles.

• Comfort being hands-on during the build process, including working alongside production teams.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and designs simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.

• Strong problem-solving skills to identify and resolve design and build issues.

• Clear and effective communication skills for collaboration with cross-functional teams and participation in design reviews.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline is strongly preferred.

• Experience working within a test or verification environment.

• Experience around a machine shop or fabrication environment, with familiarity with practical manufacturing processes.

• Exposure to mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic design and build activities.

• Experience using JIRA for task or project tracking.

• Experience working within an AGILE environment or using AGILE methodologies.

Work Environment

The role operates in a technical engineering, test, and build environment where mechanical design work is closely tied to real-world fabrication and assembly. You will spend significant time using SolidWorks to create detailed 3D models, assemblies, and drawings, and you will also engage directly with production and integration activities on the shop floor or in lab areas. The environment emphasizes collaboration with Production, Logistics, and other departments, as well as participation in design and production-readiness reviews. Work typically involves test racks, enclosures, panels, fixtures, and PCBA bed-of-nails fixtures, with exposure to machine shop or fabrication settings and test or verification setups. The culture values practical, hands-on engineering, design-for-production thinking, and the ability to support multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, technically focused setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Farmington Hills, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $53.00/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 Farmington Hills, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Farmington Hills,MI.

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.