Mechanical Design Engineer

ACTalent; Dundee (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Dundee, MI is seeking a Design Engineer to contribute to the design and development of automotive structural components, frames, and assemblies. You will create 3D models, assist in cost estimation, and ensure designs meet performance and manufacturability goals.

The role requires hands-on CAD experience, GD&T proficiency, and the ability to work across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to drive timely design releases.

Qualifications

• Automotive design or mechanical engineering experience.
• Hands-on 3D CAD modeling and drawing creation.
• Strong GD&T and dimensioning knowledge.
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers.
• Experience supporting engineering changes and design revisions.

Responsibilities

• Create new and improved designs for automotive structural components, frames, modules, detail parts, and assemblies.
• Develop designs that fit within vehicle packaging and meet performance requirements.
• Create and modify 3D models, component designs, assemblies, and engineering drawings.
• Support engineering analysis and detailed cost estimation.
• Evaluate designs for durability, manufacturability, quality, and structural compliance.
• Participate in weekly program technical reviews.
• Initiate and track engineering change requests through Matrix One/Campfire.
• Support program managers with engineering changes and ensure timely responses.
• Establish and maintain design standards and best practices.
• Coordinate with engineering, program management, manufacturing, suppliers, and outside design resources.

Skills

Automotive design experience

3D CAD modeling

GD&T understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering change management

Structural components design

Tools

Matrix One

Campfire

Teamcenter

PLM systems

Bills of Materials

Job description

Job Title: Design Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Design Engineer to join our team and contribute to the design and development of automotive structural components, frames, modules, detail parts, and assemblies. The ideal candidate will work closely with project teams to ensure designs meet customer expectations for performance, durability, quality, manufacturability, cost, and timing. This role also involves supporting engineering change management, technical reviews, structural analysis, costing, and design release activities.

Responsibilities

• Create new and improved designs for automotive structural components, frames, modules, detail parts, and assemblies.
• Develop designs that fit within the vehicle package and meet customer performance requirements.
• Create and modify 3D models, component designs, assemblies, and engineering drawings.
• Support engineering analysis and detailed cost estimation.
• Evaluate designs for durability, manufacturability, structural performance, and quality compliance.
• Participate in weekly program technical reviews.
• Initiate and track engineering change requests through Matrix One/Campfire.
• Support program managers with engineering changes and ensure team members respond to open engineering change requests.
• Establish and maintain design standards and best practices.
• Coordinate with engineering, program management, manufacturing, suppliers, vendors, and outside design resources.
• Track open design issues, component changes, program timing, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Identify opportunities to optimize designs and engineering processes.

Essential Skills

• Automotive mechanical, product, or design engineering experience.
• Hands‑on experience designing structural components, stamped parts, frames, modules, brackets, body structures, or automotive assemblies.
• Strong 3D CAD modeling and engineering drawing experience.
• Experience developing designs around vehicle packaging and space constraints.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, dimensional drawings, tolerance considerations, and design documentation.
• Experience evaluating designs for manufacturability, durability, quality, and structural requirements.
• Experience supporting engineering changes, design revisions, or ECR/ECO workflows.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with engineering, manufacturing, program management, suppliers, and customers.
• Experience participating in technical design reviews and resolving open engineering issues.
• Ability to manage multiple design priorities while meeting program deadlines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with automotive body‑in‑white, structural stampings, frames, subframes, crossmembers, rails, pillars, brackets, or welded assemblies.
• Experience designing parts that will be produced through stamping, forming, welding, or assembly operations.
• Experience with Matrix One, Campfire, Teamcenter, or another PLM/change‑management system.
• Experience creating or updating bills of materials.
• Experience supporting automotive program launches from concept through production.
• Knowledge of durability analysis, structural performance, material selection, and cost optimization.
• Experience working with OEM vehicle packaging requirements and customer design standards.
• Experience coordinating with tool‑and‑die teams, stamping operations, vendors, and outside design houses.

Work Environment

The position offers flexibility in work site location across Michigan, including Britton, Dundee, and Plymouth. The environment focuses on the design, build, and validation of automotive tooling and components, using advanced technologies and processes to ensure high‑quality outcomes.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $45.00/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 Dundee, MI.

Application Deadline

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

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Dundee,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 [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.