Design Engineer

Actalent; Commerce (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Commerce, CA is seeking a Design Engineer / NRE Specialist who will own and execute the NRE process, develop storyboards, document manufacturing concepts, and produce CAD drawings using CATIA. You will collaborate with internal and external teams to design programs and tooling from concept through production, ensuring quality and FAIR compliance.

This onsite role sits in a manufacturing-focused environment with opportunities to support tooling procurement, BOM updates, and

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (Mechanical or related).
• Hands-on CAD design experience and documentation.
• Proficiency with CATIA for engineering and tooling designs.
• Ability to develop and interpret mechanical concepts into detailed CAD drawings.
• Strong attention to detail in derivative and supplementary drawings.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the NRE process from concept to production realization.
• Develop NRE storyboards and document manufacturing concepts.
• Capture and integrate FAIR, quality, and engineering requirements.
• Produce and document derivative drawings for parts, workholding, and tooling.
• Collaborate with purchasing and manufacturing to procure tooling and workholding.

Skills

CAD software

CATIA

Documentation

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering

Tools

CATIA

Autodesk design tools

Job description

Job Title: Design Engineer / NRE SpecialistJob Description

This role serves as a key member of the Engineering Department, with primary responsibility for owning and executing the Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) process. The Design Engineer / NRE Specialist develops NRE storyboards, creates and documents manufacturing concepts, produces CAD drawings, and collaborates with internal and external resources to design programs and tooling. This position supports early-stage manufacturing planning and ensures that tooling, workholding, and related components are properly designed, procured, or fabricated to meet quality, FAIR, and engineering requirements from concept through production realization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive NRE storyboards that support Manufacturing Engineering from initial concept through production realization.
• Document manufacturing concepts and planning intent, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the development process.
• Capture and integrate FAIR (First Article Inspection Report), quality, and engineering requirements into all planning outputs and documentation.
• Produce and document derivative drawings and supplementary drawings for parts, workholding, and proposed tooling designs within NRE storyboards.
• Collaborate with purchasing and manufacturing teams to procure or produce tooling, rotary tooling, workholding, and other required components prior release to production.
• Verify completeness and accuracy of manufacturing engineering deliverables before handoff to the Planning Administrator.
• Execute required planning and documentation updates associated with job book phase-out activities.
• Update and maintain part Bills of Materials (BOMs) for phase-out jobs to ensure accurate records and smooth transition.
• Review and compile estimate packages to support the estimating process and provide input on tooling and manufacturing requirements.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and planning teams to ensure alignment and timely execution of NRE activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (such as Mechanical or related discipline).
• Hands-on experience using CAD software for mechanical design and documentation.
• Proficiency with CATIA for developing and modifying engineering and tooling designs.
• Ability to develop and interpret mechanical design concepts and convert them into detailed CAD drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong attention to detail in producing derivative and supplementary drawings for parts and workholding.
• Capability to integrate quality, FAIR, and engineering requirements into manufacturing plans and outputs.
• Effective collaboration skills for working with internal and external resources on tooling design and procurement.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple NRE storyboards, BOM updates, and estimating support tasks concurrently.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Autodesk design tools is highly beneficial.
• Background in mechanical design within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Familiarity with job book documentation, BOM management, and phase-out processes.
• Ability to support estimating activities by compiling and reviewing technical packages.
• Interest in transitioning from a short-term contract to a potential permanent role with a stable, well-established company.

Work Environment

This position is 100% onsite in a manufacturing and engineering environment located in Commerce. The role involves close collaboration with engineering, purchasing, and production teams and regular use of CAD tools such as CATIA and Autodesk software on standard office and engineering workstations. Typical start times can be flexible, with options such as 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m., depending on operational needs. The environment combines office-based design work with frequent interaction on the shop floor to review tooling, workholding, and manufacturing setups, providing hands-on exposure to real-world production processes within a family-owned, well-established organization.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $57.00/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 Commerce, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Commerce,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 [e-mail] 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.