Design Engineer

Actalent; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Janesville, WI is seeking a Design Engineer focused on R&D and New Product Development. You will design components and assemblies for ammunition programs, perform FEA and tolerance analyses, and assemble prototypes in lab and ballistic settings.

The role requires a mechanical engineering degree with defense experience, proficiency in SolidWorks and Inventor, and strong communication skills. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Janesville.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in engineering required or equivalent.
• Experience in defense, R&D, and NPD preferred.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and Inventor; FEA experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Advanced Programs team to execute ammunition R&D programs.
• Design components, subassemblies, and assemblies.
• Perform tolerance stack‑up analysis and engineering simulations (FEA).
• Assemble and test prototypes in lab and ballistic settings.
• Plan projects and phases, track tasks, and coordinate supporting teams.
• Develop and present subsystem and system technical design reviews.
• Prepare technical justifications and management reports.

Skills

Project management

Mechanical engineering

Munitions/defense

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

FEA

Communication skills

CAD & GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Preferred: Mechanical, Electrical, or Materials Science

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description: Design Engineer

We are seeking a Design Engineer focused on Research & Development (R&D) and New Product Development (NPD) initiatives. This role involves working closely with the Advanced Programs team to support ammunition research and development programs. You will design new products, including components and assemblies, that meet the evolving requirements of the warfighter, emphasizing producibility and affordability.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Advanced Programs team to execute ammunition research and development programs.

• Design new products, including components, subassemblies, and assemblies.

• Conduct assembly and component analysis through hand calculations, tolerance stack-up analysis, and engineering simulation such as Finite Element Analysis.

• Assemble and test prototypes in both lab and ballistic settings.

• Plan projects and phases, track task completion, and coordinate support teams to drive execution of analyze-design-test-validate cycles.

• Develop and present subsystem and system technical design reviews.

• Work under limited supervision while meeting technical, financial, and schedule objectives.

• Prepare technical justifications and reports for management review.

Essential Skills

• Project management experience.

• Mechanical engineering with a focus on defense, R&D, and new product development.

• Experience with munitions, energetics, and aerospace defense.

• Proficiency in SolidWorks and other design tools like Autodesk Inventor.

• Experience with analysis tools such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

• Customer relations skills, including support, communication, and project needs qualification.

• Four-year college degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Electrical, or Materials Science.

• Proficiency in solid modeling and detail drawing creation in CAD with understanding of GD&T standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Permanent resident of the United States (due to ITAR restrictions).

• Understanding of internal and external ballistics and lethal mechanisms is a plus.

• Experience with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (MS Project is a plus).

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills, initiative, and ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with peers, supervisors, and customers

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Janesville, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $110000.00/yr.

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.

Full time benefits offered

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Janesville,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 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 [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.