Mechanical Designer/drafter

Actalent; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 76,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent, Chandler, AZ, seeks a Mechanical Designer/Engineering Design Checker with 10–20 years in DOD/aerospace and strong Siemens NX/Teamcenter skills. You will verify 3D models, create PMI drawings, and ensure designs meet military standards while coordinating with Manufacturing, Quality, and vendors.

This on‑site, contract‑to‑hire role demands meticulous attention to detail. Eligibility for secret clearance is required; the project supports launch and defense programs with a paperless

Qualifications

• 10–20 years of mechanical design experience in DOD, aerospace, or closely related industries.
• Approximately 8/10 proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter, including daily use for mechanical modeling and data management.
• Expert‑level GD&T, able to act as SME and correct drawings.
• Hands‑on experience with NX and Teamcenter in production environments.
• Strong CAD skills to model fully defined components and assemblies.
• Experience checking drawings for compliance with industry and military standards.

Responsibilities

• Check drawings and design packages for content and standards compliance.
• Review designs for fit, function, manufacturability, and economy of fabrication.
• Serve as GD&T SME and resolve interpretation issues on drawings.
• Verify 3D models in manufacturing using NX and Teamcenter.
• Model fully defined components and assemblies in NX with Teamcenter.
• Create and revise PMI‑conformed drawings.
• Review mechanical drawings with cross‑functional teams.
• Collaborate with engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and vendors.
• Support paperless PMI design environment by integrating instructions into digital drawings.
• Document design information using Word, Excel, Windows, NX, and Teamcenter.
• Communicate clearly with cross‑functional teams.
• Meet drawing release dates and program milestones.
• Supervise design and drafting staff as requested.
• Deliver drawings and models on time with minimal quality errors.
• Contribute to concept‑through‑launch for defense programs.

Skills

A&D industry experience

GD&T expert

Team leadership

Documentation skills

Tolerance analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Unigraphics NX 9.0

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Designer / Engineering Design Checker

Job Description

This role supports a major defense and aerospace program as a Mechanical Designer and Engineering Design Checker, using Siemens NX and Teamcenter to develop and validate fully defined 3D models and drawings in a paperless, PMI-driven environment. The position focuses on ensuring mechanical designs meet stringent industry and military standards for fit, function, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness, while serving as an expert resource in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T). The successful candidate will contribute directly to long‑term launch and defensive system programs, helping to deliver high‑quality designs on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Check mechanical drawing and design packages for proper content and ensure compliance with applicable industry and military standards.
• Review designs for fit, function, manufacturability, and economy of fabrication, including tolerance analysis, hardware selection, and fitment on assembly prints.
• Serve as a recognized expert in GD&T and resolve interpretation issues on drawings, making corrections as a subject matter expert.
• Verify 3D models submitted to manufacturing using Siemens NX managed with Teamcenter, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Model fully defined components and assemblies efficiently in Siemens NX, managed with Teamcenter, in accordance with established modeling standards.
• Create and revise parametric drawings in conformance with established 3D modeling and drawing standards, incorporating PMI (Product Manufacturing Information) where required.
• Review mechanical drawings with appropriate personnel, verifying completed work, checking dimensions, materials, and quantities to be used.
• Collaborate closely with various engineering disciplines, Manufacturing, Quality, and vendors to resolve design and fabrication issues.
• Support a paperless design environment by integrating written assembly and work instructions, dimensions, and data sheets into digital drawings and PMI.
• Use Word, Excel, Windows, NX, and Teamcenter to document, manage, and communicate design information.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats with cross-functional teams.
• Work quickly and accurately under schedule pressure while maintaining a high level of patience and attention to detail.
• Manage time and organize tasks effectively to meet drawing release dates and program milestones.
• As requested, supervise and direct the activities of staff involved in design and drafting tasks.
• Perform related duties as assigned or required to support design, checking, and release of mechanical hardware.
• Deliver drawings and models on time with relatively few quality errors, supporting program schedules and budgets.
• Contribute to design efforts from concept through launch for various missions, including defensive systems and long-term development programs.

Essential Skills

• 10–20 years of mechanical design experience in DOD, aerospace, or closely related industries such as automotive.
• Approximately 8/10 proficiency with Siemens NX and Teamcenter, including daily use for mechanical modeling and data management.
• Expert‑level, daily user of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), with the ability to act as a subject matter expert and make corrections on drawings.
• Hands‑on experience with Unigraphics NX 9.0 and Teamcenter in a production environment.
• Strong mechanical design and CAD skills, with the ability to model fully defined components and assemblies.
• Experience checking mechanical drawings and design packages for compliance with industry and military standards.
• Ability to perform tolerance analysis and evaluate hardware selection and fitment on assembly prints.
• Proficiency in using Word, Excel, and Windows to support documentation and communication.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and vendors.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under schedule pressure while maintaining high quality standards.
• Strong time management and organizational skills to meet drawing release dates and program deadlines.
• Ability to support a paperless, PMI‑based design environment where assembly instructions, dimensions, and data sheets are integrated into digital drawings.
• Eligibility to obtain a secret security clearance, including meeting all required background criteria.
• Consistent ability to deliver drawings and models on time with relatively few quality errors, supporting on‑time and under‑budget program performance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in defense, military, or government programs involving launch systems and defensive systems.
• Experience with aerospace or DOD mechanical design beyond commercial sheet metal and aircraft interiors.
• Familiarity with Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) and paperless design processes that consolidate instructions and data into digital drawings.
• Advanced GD&T certifications such as GDTP and formal GD&T training are highly desirable.
• Experience working with long‑term development programs, including multi‑year or decade‑long performance periods.
• background in environments similar to major aerospace and defense contractors is beneficial.
• Ability to act as a liaison between engineering disciplines, Manufacturing, Quality, and external vendors.
• Comfort with occasional supervisory responsibilities, including directing activities of design and drafting staff.
• Track record of meeting drawing release dates with minimal quality issues, contributing to programs staying on schedule and within budget.

Work Environment

This role supports the design and development of launch and defensive systems for government and military customers, including programs such as Next Generation Interceptor and the LGM‑35 Sentinel Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. Work is primarily performed in an office setting using Siemens NX, Teamcenter, and standard office software, with occasional work in test labs or manufacturing areas to support design verification and production. The environment emphasizes a paperless workflow, leveraging PMI to integrate assembly instructions, dimensions, and data sheets directly into digital drawings and models. The position follows a 9/80 compressed work schedule, where employees work nine‑hour days over nine working days in a two‑week period, totaling 80 hours, and receive a three‑day weekend every other week. This schedule is designed to maximize flexibility and productivity while providing improved work‑life balance. The culture focuses on mission‑critical work, sending payloads into space and contributing to national defense, with performance metrics centered on on‑time delivery of drawing releases and maintaining program quality, schedule, and budget.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of CHANDLER, AZ.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $59.82/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&DD 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 CHANDLER,AZ. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 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.