Mechanical Designer / Mechanical Engineer (Launch Hardware)

Actalent; Florida; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer in Florida to design and develop launch pad hardware and ground support equipment for advanced aerospace systems. You will create and refine structural and mechanical designs supporting launch operations, recovery systems, and production tooling while performing 3D CAD work and hands-on build support in a high-mix, low-volume environment.

The role emphasizes NX-based modeling, fabrication-ready drawings, and collaboration with engineers,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or equivalent hands-on design experience.
• Experience with structural steel design and detailing including frames, weldments, platforms, and similar structures.
• Hands-on experience supporting builds, installations, or field troubleshooting of mechanical or structural systems.
• Strong knowledge of welding symbols, weld callouts, and fabrication drawings.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and detailing of launch pad structures, ground support equipment, and mechanical systems that enable reliable launch operations.
• Develop 3D CAD models and detailed engineering drawings, with a strong preference for NX, while accommodating other major CAD platforms as needed.
• Create and maintain fabrication-ready documentation, including weldments, assemblies, and installation drawings that are clear, complete, and production-ready.
• Design and refine structural steel components such as frames, supports, platforms, and heavy equipment mounting structures to meet strength, safety, and constructability requirements.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, technicians, and operations teams to ensure designs meet functional requirements, fabrication constraints, and installation needs.
• Incorporate tube routing, conduit routing, and piping layouts into mechanical and structural designs, ensuring proper clearances, accessibility, and maintainability.
• Apply knowledge of welding symbols, weld callouts, and fabrication standards to ensure designs are manufacturable and aligned with shop practices.
• Support prototype builds, installations, and field modifications by reviewing and incorporating redlines, updating designs, and resolving issues discovered during assembly and testing.
• Assist with basic structural sizing and layout decisions, balancing cost, schedule, and constructability while maintaining safety and performance standards.
• Ensure all designs align with applicable safety, quality, and operational standards and support reliable launch pad and ground system operations.
• Work with fabrication shops and weld environments to clarify design intent, address manufacturability concerns, and implement design improvements based on feedback.
• Interpret and use engineering drawings, bills of materials, and technical specifications to guide design work and support build and installation activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes and documentation practices in a high-mix, low-volume or rapid design/build setting.

Skills

NX (Unigraphics)

3D CAD modeling

Engineering drawings for fabrication

Structural steel detailing

Welding/fabrication knowledge

GD&T

Cross-functional collaboration

Aerospace/heavy equipment experience

Reading engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

NX (Unigraphics)

Creo

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on the design and development of launch pad hardware and ground support equipment for advanced aerospace systems. You will create and refine structural and mechanical designs that support launch operations, recovery systems, and production tooling while working closely with lead engineers and cross-functional teams. The position combines 3D CAD design, structural steel detailing, and hands-on support of builds and installations in a dynamic, high-mix, low-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and detailing of launch pad structures, ground support equipment, and mechanical systems that enable reliable launch operations.
• Develop 3D CAD models and detailed engineering drawings, with a strong preference for using NX (Unigraphics), while also accommodating other major CAD platforms as needed.
• Create and maintain fabrication-ready documentation, including weldments, assemblies, and installation drawings that are clear, complete, and production-ready.
• Design and refine structural steel components such as frames, supports, platforms, and heavy equipment mounting structures to meet strength, safety, and constructability requirements.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, technicians, and operations teams to ensure designs meet functional requirements, fabrication constraints, and installation needs.
• Incorporate tube routing, conduit routing, and piping layouts into mechanical and structural designs, ensuring proper clearances, accessibility, and maintainability.
• Apply knowledge of welding symbols, weld callouts, and fabrication standards to ensure designs are manufacturable and aligned with shop practices.
• Support prototype builds, installations, and field modifications by reviewing and incorporating redlines, updating designs, and resolving issues discovered during assembly and testing.
• Assist with basic structural sizing and layout decisions, balancing cost, schedule, and constructability while maintaining safety and performance standards.
• Ensure all designs align with applicable safety, quality, and operational standards and support reliable launch pad and ground system operations.
• Work with fabrication shops and weld environments to clarify design intent, address manufacturability concerns, and implement design improvements based on feedback.
• Interpret and use engineering drawings, bills of materials, and technical specifications to guide design work and support build and installation activities.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes and documentation practices in a high-mix, low-volume or rapid design/build setting.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of experience with 3D CAD software, with strong proficiency in NX (Unigraphics) preferred; experience with Creo, CATIA, or SolidWorks is also acceptable.
• Proven experience creating engineering drawings and 3D models suitable for fabrication, including weldments and assemblies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on design experience for designer-level candidates.
• Experience with structural steel design and detailing, including frames, weldments, platforms, and similar structures.
• Working knowledge of welding symbols, weld callouts, and fabrication drawings to ensure accurate communication with fabrication teams.
• Experience with tube routing in mechanical or structural systems.
• Experience with conduit routing for electrical or control systems within mechanical structures.
• Experience with piping systems and layouts, including integration with structural and mechanical designs.
• Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and industry-standard drawing practices.
• Hands-on experience supporting builds, installations, or field troubleshooting of mechanical or structural systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of materials, and technical specifications accurately.
• Experience working in industrial, aerospace, heavy equipment, or construction environments where large-scale structures and systems are common.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work closely and effectively with technicians, engineers, and operations teams.
• Strong proficiency with NX, including routing modules being a significant advantage.
• Experience working with fabrication shops or weld environments, including direct interaction to resolve design and manufacturing issues.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting launch pad systems, ground sys