Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing and building complex mechanical test equipment and systems that replicate real-world operating conditions for advanced energy and battery technologies. You will own projects from CAD concept through fabrication and assembly, working closely with cross-functional engineering teams to develop robust test environments that uncover failure modes early and support safe, reliable product development.

Responsibilities

• Design complex mechanical test equipment from initial CAD concept through detailed design, fabrication, and assembly.

• Develop and build test systems that incorporate HVAC, thermal management, hydrogen management, electrolyte management, and air-handling components.

• Create test environments that accurately simulate real-world operating conditions for battery packs and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, manifolds, manifolding systems, and power electronics.

• Collaborate with Design and Test Engineering teams to create hardware that exposes potential failure modes early in the development cycle.

• Integrate sensors, actuators, and data acquisition (DAQ) hardware in collaboration with Electrical, Controls, and Chemical Engineers.

• Apply mechanical design and CAD best practices to ensure that test equipment, test stands, and fixtures are safe, reliable, and easy to operate.

• Support the transition from design to manufacturing by working with fabrication and assembly teams to resolve issues and ensure design intent is met.

• Contribute to root cause analysis and failure investigations by providing mechanical engineering insight and test hardware modifications as needed.

• Ensure that all test systems and equipment comply with relevant safety requirements, particularly when working around high-power or chemical systems.

• Communicate clearly with cross-functional stakeholders, documenting designs, test setups, and design changes in a structured and accessible way.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of Mechanical Engineering experience.

• Strong mechanical design and CAD experience, with significant experience using SolidWorks.

• Proven experience designing and building test equipment, test stands, fixtures, or similar mechanical hardware.

• Demonstrated ability to take designs through the full lifecycle of fabrication and assembly.

• Manufacturing Engineering experience supporting build, assembly, and implementation of mechanical systems.

• Experience working with thermal, HVAC, fluid, and air-handling systems.

• Exposure to sensors, actuators, instrumentation, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems.

• Experience working around high-power or chemical systems and associated safety requirements.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to balance speed, rigor, and safety in a fast-paced environment.

• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.

• Ability to perform or support root cause analysis and failure investigations.

• Proficiency in CAD tools, particularly SolidWorks, for mechanical design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Battery or broader energy systems experience is a plus but not required.

• Experience designing or integrating sensor systems into mechanical test setups is beneficial.

• Experience in mechanical design for test environments involving complex thermal or fluid management is advantageous.

• Familiarity with instrumentation and control concepts related to mechanical test systems is helpful.

• Comfort working in a startup environment that values initiative, adaptability, and hands-on problem solving.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based in Berkeley within a startup environment that emphasizes hands-on engineering and close collaboration across disciplines. You will work in a lab and workshop setting where mechanical test equipment is designed, fabricated, assembled, and operated. The work involves regular interaction with thermal, HVAC, fluid, and air-handling systems, as well as high-power and chemical systems, with a strong focus on safety. The pace is fast and dynamic, with frequent cross-functional collaboration among Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Chemical, Design, and Test Engineering teams. Dress is typically practical and appropriate for a lab and shop environment where you may be working near fabrication equipment, test stands, and instrumentation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Berkeley, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $80.00/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 Berkeley, CA.

Application Deadline

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

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Berkeley,CA.

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.