Mechanical Designer

Safran; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Safran Electronics & Defense in Rockford, Illinois, is seeking a Mechanical Designer for a part-time role (20 hours/week) to support the actuation systems business. You will develop 3-D models and 2-D production drawings, ensuring designs meet engineering requirements and manufacturing needs.

The candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering and up to 2 years of relevant design experience, with proficiency in CAD tools such as CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, or Creo.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 0–2 years of relevant design experience, including internships, co-ops, academic projects, or hands-on design experience.
• Experience with a 3-D CAD system such as CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, Creo, or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Basic knowledge of GD&T and ASME Y14.5.
• Understanding of mechanical tolerancing and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create and modify 3-D CAD models and mechanical assemblies.
• Create and update 2-D detail and assembly drawings for production.
• Apply GD&T, dimensional tolerancing, and applicable drafting standards to engineering drawings.
• Perform basic tolerance stack-ups and dimensional analyses.
• Support engineering changes, including updates to models, drawings, BOMs, and associated documentation.
• Work with engineering and manufacturing personnel to resolve design and production issues.
• Support design reviews and development activities for new and existing actuation products.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation and product data.

Skills

3-D CAD

Engineering drawings

GD&T

Tolerancing

Manufacturing processes

Analytical skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

Creo

Job description

Mechanical Designer

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Reference number

2026-190760

Job details

Domain

Research, design and development

Job field / Job profile

Architecture and systems engineering - System architecture

Job title

Mechanical Designer

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Part-time

Job description

The Mechanical Designer will support the Safran Actuation Systems business as part of a cross-disciplinary engineering team responsible for the design and development of aerospace actuation products.

The candidate will work directly with engineering and manufacturing teams to develop 3-D models and 2-D production drawings, support engineering changes, and ensure designs meet engineering requirements and manufacturing needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Create and modify 3-D CAD models and mechanical assemblies.
• Create and update 2-D detail and assembly drawings for production.
• Apply GD&T, dimensional tolerancing, and applicable drafting standards to engineering drawings.
• Perform basic tolerance stack-ups and dimensional analyses.
• Support engineering changes, including updates to models, drawings, BOMs, and associated documentation.
• Work with engineering and manufacturing personnel to resolve design and production issues.
• Support design reviews and development activities for new and existing actuation products.
• Maintain accurate engineering documentation and product data.

Candidate skills & requirements

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related field; equivalent technical education or experience may also be considered.

• 0–2 years of relevant experience, including internships, co-ops, academic projects, or hands-on design experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience with a 3-D CAD system such as CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, Creo, or equivalent.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Basic knowledge of GD&T and ASME Y14.5.
• Understanding of mechanical tolerancing and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate engineering documentation.

Preferred:

• Experience creating production or manufacturing drawings.
• Experience with tolerance stack-ups
• Previous mechanical design, engineering, or manufacturing internship experience.
• Familiarity with PDM/PLM systems or engineering change processes.
• Experience with aerospace, automotive, robotics, or other precision mechanical products.

Work Environment

This position will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and other functional teams supporting the development and production of aerospace actuation systems.

ITAR: This position may be subject to ITAR requirements.

This part-time role is 20 hours a week

Annual salary

$38.36 - $44.71 an hour depending on experience

Job location

North America, United States, Illinois

City (-ies)

4747 Harrison Ave, M/S 298-6 61108 Rockford

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

First experience

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

Yes