Mechanical Designer

Actalent; Whitmore Lake (MI); On-site; USD 79,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Whitmore Lake, MI is seeking a Mechanical Designer to design and detail mechanical components for custom automation equipment. You will create 3D models and 2D drawings using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, and manage projects through installation.

The role requires 4+ years of relevant experience, strong GD&T and fabrication knowledge, and collaboration with controls engineers. This is a contract-to-hire onsite position with paid overtime and opportunities across industries.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience designing mechanical automated machinery.
• Knowledge of GD&T and fabrication processes required.
• Experience with 3D modeling and detailing for automation equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design and detail mechanical components and systems for automated equipment using Autodesk Inventor.
• Develop 3D models, 2D drawings, and complete Bill of Materials (BOMs).
• Collaborate with controls engineers to optimize designs for integration with electrical systems.
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback for manufacturability.
• Perform engineering calculations to validate design integrity and performance.
• Review customer specifications and ensure project requirements are met.
• Support build and debug phases, including occasional travel to customer sites.
• Maintain documentation and revision control throughout the design lifecycle.

Skills

Machinery design

Automation equipment

GD&T knowledge

Fabrication processes

Education

Mechanical engineering background

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Designer

As a Mechanical Designer, you will be responsible for the design and detailing of mechanical components and systems for custom automation equipment. Your role will include creating 3D models and 2D drawings using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, as well as managing projects through to the installation of equipment. You will also spend a portion of your time on the shop floor to review the implementation of your designs.

Responsibilities

• Design and detail mechanical components and systems for automated equipment using Autodesk Inventor.
• Develop 3D models, 2D drawings, and complete Bill of Materials (BOMs).
• Collaborate with controls engineers to optimize mechanical designs for integration with electrical and control systems.
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback to improve functionality and manufacturability.
• Perform engineering calculations to validate design integrity and performance.
• Review customer specifications and ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Support the build and debug phases of machine development, including occasional travel to customer sites.
• Maintain documentation and revision control throughout the design lifecycle.

Essential Skills

• 4+ years of recent experience in mechanical automated machinery design, including robotic cells, conveyors, gantries, and end-of-arm tooling.
• 2+ years of experience with Autodesk Inventor or similar 3D modeling software.
• Strong skills in design, detailing, and layout of mechanical components.
• Familiarity with GD&T and fabrication processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Solidworks is advantageous.
• Background in mechanical engineering.
• Experience in powertrain and robotic cell design.
• Knowledge of industry standards and compliance requirements.

Work Environment

The company is family-owned with about 50 employees. The facility is clean and well-maintained, with no odors. The engineering team, consisting of approximately 12 engineers and designers, is situated upstairs, overlooking the plant floor where systems are built. The environment is creative, with paid overtime and a single shift operation. The company values consistent performance feedback and offers opportunities to work across various industries.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $48.00/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 Whitmore Lake,MI. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 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.