Mechanical Engineer

Actalent; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a seasoned mechanical engineer to support large-scale aircraft launch and recovery systems. You will own Creo modeling, sustaining engineering, and detailed drawing updates while performing ANSYS analyses to validate designs.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years in mechanical engineering, strong GD&T knowledge, and experience with ECNs/CRs in aerospace or related fields. This on-site Poway role emphasizes reliability and sustainment of complex equipment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong Creo experience, including modeling and detailed drawings.
• Experience updating released drawings and managing engineering change activity (ECNs/CRs).
• Proficiency with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• ANSYS Mechanical or other FEA experience.
• Background in aerospace, defense, heavy equipment, robotics, or similar complex mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, and maintain Creo 3D models and engineering drawings for complex mechanical assemblies.
• Own sustaining engineering activities, including ECNs/CRs and support of fielded equipment.
• Apply GD&T per ASME standards and perform tolerance stack-up analyses.
• Conduct ANSYS-based structural, stress, deflection, and fatigue analyses.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and procurement to troubleshoot issues and implement design improvements.
• Support design-for-manufacturing and long-term product sustainment in harsh environments.
• Participate in FMEAs and reliability improvement projects.

Skills

4+ years mechanical engineering

Creo modeling

GD&T proficiency

Engineering change management

Structural analysis mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

Job description

This is a hands-on mechanical engineering opportunity supporting large-scale, mission-critical aircraft launch and recovery systems used by the U.S. Navy. The role is ideal for engineers who enjoy a combination of Creo design work, sustaining engineering, drawing updates, and mechanical analysis on complex equipment that directly impacts operational performance and safety.

You’ll spend a significant portion of your time owning and updating engineering documentation, creating and revising detailed Creo models and drawings, supporting engineering change activity, and performing structural analyses to validate design modifications. Rather than designing small components in isolation, you’ll work on highly engineered systems where reliability, manufacturability, and long-term sustainment are critical.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Create, modify, and maintain detailed Creo 3D models and engineering drawings for complex mechanical assemblies.
• Own sustaining engineering activities, including engineering changes, drawing revisions, ECNs/CRs, and support of fielded equipment.
• Apply GD&T per ASME standards and perform tolerance stack‑up analyses to ensure manufacturability and proper system performance.
• Conduct ANSYS-based structural, stress, deflection, and fatigue analyses to support design decisions and engineering changes.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and procurement teams to troubleshoot issues and implement design improvements.
• Support design-for-manufacturing and long‑term product sustainment efforts on equipment operating in harsh environments.
• Participate in FMEAs, root cause investigations, and reliability improvement projects.

What Makes This Role Attractive

• Heavy exposure to Creo modeling and drawing development.
• Opportunity to perform meaningful ANSYS analysis, not just documentation work.
• Strong emphasis on GD&T, tolerance analysis, and mechanical design fundamentals.
• Ownership of engineering changes and sustaining projects that impact real‑world systems in operation.
• Work on large, complex mechanical systems where your designs directly influence safety, reliability, and performance.
• High level of collaboration with cross‑functional engineering teams while maintaining individual technical ownership.

Ideal Background

• 4+ years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong Creo experience, including modeling and detailed drawing creation.
• Experience updating and maintaining released drawings and managing engineering change activity.
• Proficiency with GD&T and tolerance stack‑up analysis.
• ANSYS Mechanical or other FEA experience involving stress, fatigue, and structural analysis.
• Background in aerospace, defense, heavy equipment, robotics, industrial machinery, or other complex mechanical systems.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

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.

Benefits, Bonus Eligible, Salary

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

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.

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.