Mechanical Designer

Actalent; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

PTO / Vacation / Sick Leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with HVAC and refrigeration expertise for a contract-to-hire role in Lawrence, KS. You will design systems for industrial and commercial buildings, perform load calculations, and support cost estimates while coordinating with discipline teams.

The role emphasizes teamwork, meeting schedules, and delivering safe, compliant designs. Relocation packages may be available; onsite work with competitive hourly pay and full benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of mechanical design experience, including refrigeration system design.
• Proficiency in mechanical design for HVAC and plumbing systems in industrial and commercial environments.
• Experience with refrigeration design for facilities storing food and other perishable goods.
• Ability to perform load calculations, life cycle costing, and energy modeling for mechanical systems.
• Strong teamwork skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Effective communication skills for coordinating with other disciplines and maintaining client relationships.
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet established schedules.
• Strong work ethic and reliability in delivering high‑quality design and documentation.
• Ability to review installations for compliance with construction documents and design specifications.

Responsibilities

• Design heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems and plumbing systems for industrial and commercial buildings.
• Design refrigeration systems for industrial and commercial facilities where food and other perishable goods are stored.
• Perform load calculations, life cycle costing, and energy modeling to support efficient and cost-effective mechanical system designs.
• Coordinate designs with other disciplines and work closely in a team environment to ensure integrated project delivery.
• Review installation of designed equipment and systems to verify compliance with construction documents and design intent.
• Manage duties across multiple projects and maintain progress within established schedules and deadlines.
• Work on a wide variety of project types, scales, and complexity, including concurrent assignments.
• Prepare construction cost estimates at both broad conceptual and detailed levels to support project planning and budgeting.
• Assist in the development of contract specifications and research the application of new procedures and products to improve design quality and performance.
• Perform all work in a safe and responsible manner, following the Health and Safety Plan and applicable safety standards.
• Represent the company positively by demonstrating its core values in interactions with clients, colleagues, and partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support project and team success.

Skills

Mechanical design

HVAC systems

Plumbing systems

Team collaboration

Communication

Project coordination

Time management

Relocation considerations

Education

Mechanical design experience

Tools

Revit

Job description

Responsibilities

• Design heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems and plumbing systems for industrial and commercial buildings.




• Design refrigeration systems for industrial and commercial facilities where food and other perishable goods are stored.




• Perform load calculations, life cycle costing, and energy modeling to support efficient and cost-effective mechanical system designs.




• Coordinate designs with other disciplines and work closely in a team environment to ensure integrated project delivery.




• Review installation of designed equipment and systems to verify compliance with construction documents and design intent.




• Manage duties across multiple projects and maintain progress within established schedules and deadlines.




• Work on a wide variety of project types, scales, and complexity, including concurrent assignments.




• Prepare construction cost estimates at both broad conceptual and detailed levels to support project planning and budgeting.




• Assist in the development of contract specifications and research the application of new procedures and products to improve design quality and performance.




• Perform all work in a safe and responsible manner, following the Health and Safety Plan and applicable safety standards.




• Represent the company positively by demonstrating its core values in interactions with clients, colleagues, and partners.




• Perform other related duties as assigned to support project and team success.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2 years of mechanical design experience, including refrigeration system design.




• Proficiency in mechanical design for HVAC and plumbing systems in industrial and commercial environments.




• Experience with refrigeration design for facilities storing food and other perishable goods.




• Ability to perform load calculations, life cycle costing, and energy modeling for mechanical systems.




• Strong teamwork skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.




• Effective communication skills for coordinating with other disciplines and maintaining client relationships.




• Solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet established schedules.




• Strong work ethic and reliability in delivering high‑quality design and documentation.




• Ability to review installations for compliance with construction documents and design specifications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Revit for mechanical and MEP design.




• Background in HVAC design and refrigeration systems.




• Familiarity with preparing construction cost estimates at varying levels of detail.




• Experience assisting in the development of contract specifications.




• Interest in researching and applying new procedures and products to enhance mechanical system performance.




• Aptitude for building and maintaining strong client relationships.




• Ability to act as a positive representative of the company and its core values.

Work Environment

The role is based in a small, close‑knit office of approximately 10 employees with a bullpen‑style layout that encourages collaboration and open communication. The culture is very family‑oriented, with a supportive atmosphere and generous full‑time benefits that make the opportunity attractive. The position offers strong compensation and is open to relocation packages for candidates moving to the Lawrence area. Hybrid work arrangements may be available after demonstrating consistent performance and the ability to meet responsibilities effectively.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lawrence, KS.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $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. 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 Lawrence,KS.

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.