Mechanical Engineer

Actalent; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 73,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Disability coverage

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for its Bastrop, TX operation to support PCB manufacturing. The role emphasizes process improvement, experimentation, and new machinery projects on the factory floor, with hands-on ownership of engineering challenges.

You will work on process control improvements, DOE-driven optimization, and data-based decisions, collaborating with production and engineering teams to sustain changes in a fully onsite environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on mindset with initiative to improve manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD and 3D mechanical design for components or fixtures.
• DOE design, execution, and analysis in a manufacturing setting.
• MATLAB proficiency for data analysis and optimization.
• ANOVA and other statistics to evaluate process changes.
• Experience supporting production operations and machinery development.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Identify problems and develop engineering solutions addressing root causes.
• Lead or support DOE to understand and optimize processes.
• Support projects related to production equipment and processes.
• Develop and implement workflow and controls improvements.
• Integrate and develop new machinery within the factory.
• Design mechanical components with CAD; prototype with 3D printing when needed.
• Analyze process data to drive decisions and improvements.
• Understand PCB production equipment and prioritize improvements.
• Collaborate with production and engineering to ensure sustained changes.
• Document experiments, changes, and equipment modifications.

Skills

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

Hands-on problem-solving

CAD and 3D design

DOE in manufacturing

MATLAB & statistics

ANOVA & statistical analysis

Manufacturing engineering experience

Production equipment experience

New machinery implementation

1+ year engineering experience

Tools

CAD tools

3D printing equipment

Job description

Job Description

The Mechanical Engineer will support printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing operations with a primary focus on process improvement, engineering experimentation, and the implementation of new machinery and projects. You will first learn the manufacturing processes and equipment through hands‑on work, then take ownership of engineering projects and manufacturing challenges, driving data‑informed improvements to production equipment and processes.

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve manufacturing processes and associated production equipment.
• Identify manufacturing problems and develop practical engineering solutions to address root causes.
• Lead or support Design of Experiments (DOE) to understand, optimize, and stabilize manufacturing processes.
• Support mechanical engineering projects related to production equipment and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and implement improvements for existing manufacturing workflows and process controls.
• Support the introduction, integration, and development of new machinery and engineering projects within the factory.
• Use CAD tools to design mechanical components, fixtures, and solutions as needed.
• Prototype mechanical components using 3D printing and rapid prototyping techniques when appropriate.
• Analyze manufacturing and process data using statistical methods to drive decisions and improvements.
• Develop a strong understanding of PCB production equipment to independently recognize factory issues and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to ensure process changes are effectively implemented and sustained.
• Document experiments, process changes, and equipment modifications to maintain clear engineering records.

Essential Skills

• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with a solid grasp of core mechanical-engineering principles.
• Hands‑on, problem‑solving mindset with demonstrated initiative and genuine interest in improving manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD and 3D mechanical design for components, fixtures, or equipment.
• Comfort working with process improvement and experimentation concepts, including DOE in a manufacturing environment.
• Statistical understanding and ability to analyze process data using tools and concepts such as MATLAB, statistical analysis, and ANOVA.
• Manufacturing engineering experience, preferably supporting production operations.
• Experience working with production equipment and exposure to machine design or equipment development.
• Experience improving manufacturing processes and implementing engineering-driven changes on the factory floor.
• Experience introducing or working with new machinery in a production setting.
• At least 1 year of relevant engineering experience, with level 1 typically under 3 years and level 2 approximately 35 years.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in PCB or PCB manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to fluid systems within manufacturing or mechanical engineering contexts.
• Practical experience with DOE design, execution, and analysis.
• Hands‑on experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping to support engineering development.
• Experience in statistical process analysis and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency using MATLAB for data analysis and process optimization.
• Experience applying ANOVA and other statistical tools to evaluate process changes and experiment results.

Work Environment

This role is based in a production‑focused manufacturing environment supporting PCB operations, with extensive interaction with factory equipment and processes. Typical work hours are approximately 10 hours per day, generally from 7:30 AM to 5:30/6:00 PM, with some specialist openings available on a second shift from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM. You will spend significant time on the manufacturing floor, working closely with production teams, operating and observing equipment, and implementing engineering changes. The environment emphasizes hands‑on work, data‑driven decision‑making, and collaboration across engineering and operations to continuously improve manufacturing performance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bastrop, TX.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.88 - $76.92/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bastrop,TX.

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.