Mechanical Design Engineer

Actalent; Ottawa (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Ottawa, IL is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to development and modification of product layouts and designs for production. The role requires CAD proficiency and collaboration with suppliers and cross-functional teams.

You will analyze designs for strength, ergonomics, safety, and quality; travel to field/trade shows may be required. A BS in mechanical/aerospace with 1–3 years' experience and Pro-E CAD proficiency are preferred.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in engineering design.
• Experience with mobile equipment.
• Pro-E CAD proficiency.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate layout development and design modifications with production.
• Analyze designs for strength, noise, functionality, ergonomics, safety and quality.
• Communicate with suppliers to develop product specifications.
• Develop project plans with input from engineering, marketing and production.
• Collaborate with production, M.E., lab, marketing and service during projects.
• Prepare and review engineering change packages and BOM investigations.

Skills

1-3 years experience in engineering

Mobile equipment

Pro-E CAD

Communication skills

Team oriented

Education

BSME or BSAE

Tools

Pro-E CAD

Job description

Come join our team in Streator, IL!

Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated Mechanical Design Engineer to contribute to the development and modification of product layouts and designs, ensuring they meet production requirements. This role involves utilizing engineering tools to analyze designs for strength, noise, functionality, ergonomics, safety, and quality. The ideal candidate will coordinate with suppliers and collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop specifications and project plans.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the development of layouts and design modifications for existing products, ensuring all necessary production information is provided.
• Utilize engineering tools to analyze designs, ensuring they meet requirements for strength, noise, functionality, ergonomics, safety, and quality.
• Communicate and coordinate with suppliers to develop specifications for products and components requiring engineering input.
• Develop project plans with input from engineering, marketing, and production teams.
• Collaborate with production, manufacturing engineering, lab supervision, marketing, service, and engineering personnel during project implementation.
• Prepare and review complete engineering change packages, including BOM investigations, ensuring completeness and accuracy as per departmental procedures.
• Use departmental CAD systems and office software to company standards and procedures, maintaining a high level of proficiency.
• Participate in the cost reduction process as needed.
• Evaluate products or product modifications to determine success in terms of performance and user satisfaction, which may include field and trade show travel.
• Assist drafters and designers with engineering expertise to complete design activities.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in engineering design.
• Experience with mobile equipment.
• Proficiency in CAD software, with a preference for Pro-E.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and a team-oriented mindset.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with electrical controls/multiplex and hydraulic systems is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree required (BSME or BSAE).

Work Environment

The work environment involves using departmental CAD systems and office software according to company standards. Collaboration with various departments such as engineering, marketing, and production is essential. The role may require travel to the field and trade shows. The team-oriented environment fosters collaboration and innovation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ottawa, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $50.00/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).

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ottawa, IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 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.

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.