Mechanical Designer

Actalent; Edgar (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and R

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO/Vacation/Sick Leave

On-site workplace

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Mechanical Designer in Edgar, WI, to contribute to heavy industrial equipment design. You will create detailed SOLIDWORKS 3D models and 2D fabrication drawings for tanks, piping, conveyors, and structural platforms, while ensuring compliance with project requirements.

You will collaborate with a small design team, interact with customers, and support fabrication with clear drawings and design intent. Travel to customer facilities may be required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on SOLIDWORKS experience for mechanical design.
• Experience with tanks, piping, and heavy industrial machinery.
• Strong SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling, assembly design, interference checks, and motion analysis.
• Ability to create precise 2D fabrication drawings with weld symbols and tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project managers to translate requirements into designs.
• Communicate with customers, including travel to facilities for measurements.
• Perform basic engineering calculations for size and stress analyses under guidance.
• Assist engineers in selecting mechanical components and prepare requisitions.
• Design assemblies in SOLIDWORKS and check interference and mating.
• Create 2D fabrication drawings with weld symbols, notes, dimensions, tolerances.

Skills

SOLIDWORKS

AutoCAD

3D modeling

2D drafting

Tank design

Piping systems

Tools

SOLIDWORKS

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Designer

Job Description

The Mechanical Designer will contribute to the design and engineering of heavy industrial equipment and systems, working under the guidance of project and engineering leadership. The role focuses on creating detailed 3D and 2D mechanical designs for tanks, piping systems, conveyor lines, and structural platforms, while ensuring that all contractual and technical requirements are met. The Mechanical Designer will collaborate closely with customers, internal fabrication and sales teams, and will support the development of standard parts and pre-bid concept drawings.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project managers and engineering leadership to understand project requirements and translate them into accurate mechanical designs.
• Communicate directly with customers, including occasional travel to customer facilities for meetings, information gathering, and taking precise dimensional measurements to support design work.
• Perform basic engineering calculations, including volume sizing, tank venting, and stress/deflection analyses to properly size beams, columns, and support legs under the guidance of a Mechanical Engineer.
• Assist Mechanical Engineers in specifying power transmission components, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and related mechanical equipment, and prepare requisitions to support purchasing of these components.
• Design mechanical assemblies and parts using SOLIDWORKS 3D software, checking for interference, motion, and proper part mating to ensure robust and functional designs.
• Generate detailed 2D fabrication drawings from 3D models, including appropriate weld symbols, notes, dimensions, and tolerances in accordance with established drafting standards.
• Create detailed drawings for tanks, skidded piping systems, conveyor lines, shafts, frames, structural platforms, and other mechanical components used in heavy industrial applications.
• Ensure that all mechanical designs comply with the contractual scope and specified technical requirements for each project.
• Maintain and update the standard OEM parts library, and create new standard parts as required to support ongoing and future projects.
• Provide support to the fabrication department by clarifying drawing details, part information, and design intent to facilitate accurate and efficient manufacturing.
• Support sales and estimating teams by preparing pre-bid concept layouts and general arrangement drawings that clearly illustrate proposed solutions.
• Work collaboratively as part of a small design team, contributing expertise and ideas while supporting a senior designer and broader engineering staff.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of hands‑on experience using SOLIDWORKS for mechanical design.
• Proven mechanical design experience with machines, piping systems, and tanks in heavy industrial environments.
• Strong proficiency in SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling, including assembly design, interference checks, motion analysis, and proper mating of parts.
• Ability to generate precise 2D fabrication drawings with correct weld symbols, notes, dimensions, and tolerances in line with drafting standards.
• Experience designing tanks, skidded piping systems, conveyor lines, shafts, frames, structural platforms, and other mechanical components.
• Working knowledge of basic engineering calculations, including volume sizing, venting of tanks, and stress/deflection for structural members.
• Capability to assist in specifying mechanical components such as power transmission elements, pumps, valves, and heat exchangers.
• Proficiency with mechanical design tools, including SOLIDWORKS and AutoCAD.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with customers, engineering staff, fabrication teams, and sales personnel.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to customer facilities for meetings and onsite measurements.
• Ability to work effectively in a heavy industrial engineering environment and support multiple projects simultaneously.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Background in machine design or piping design with a focus on mechanical components is strongly preferred.
• Experience working on designs for heavy industrial applications such as wastewater treatment, process water systems, or similar industries is beneficial.
• Familiarity with drafting standards and practices for OEM equipment is an advantage.
• Ability to develop pre‑bid concept and general arrangement drawings to support sales and estimating activities.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, manufacturable designs.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work closely within a small, experienced design team.
• Adaptability to work across different industries and applications, supporting custom, end‑to‑end engineered solutions.

Work Environment

The Mechanical Designer will join a small, close‑knit design team that currently includes one senior designer with significant tenure and experience. This role will be the second designer on the team, offering opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and meaningful impact on projects. The organization develops custom, end‑to‑end equipment and process solutions for a wide range of industries worldwide, including wastewater treatment and highly regulated water systems for sectors such as pharmaceuticals. The work environment emphasizes long‑term partnerships, integrity, and a practical, relationship‑based approach to business. The team values shared core principles, pride in their work, and a strong connection to the local community. Day‑to‑day work involves using SOLIDWORKS and AutoCAD, collaborating with engineering, fabrication, and sales teams, and contributing to high‑quality equipment engineering and automation technologies in a heavy industrial setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Edgar, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $35.00/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.

• 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 Edgar,WI.
• Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 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.