Mechanical Systems Engineer

Actalent; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Mechanical Systems Engineer to design and qualify actuated payload mechanisms, including deployment systems, releases, doors, and latches. You will own the mechanism design from concept through qualification and select actuators while performing kinematics and load analyses.

The role requires 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience with proven hardware qualification expertise, GD&T proficiency, and hands-on testing in a fast-paced, onsite environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical engineering/design experience.
• Strong mechanism and/or actuation-system design experience.
• Experience in selecting and integrating actuators, motors, gearboxes, or drive systems.
• Proven experience in taking hardware through build and physical testing/qualification.

Responsibilities

• Design and qualify actuated payload mechanisms such as deployment systems, releases, doors, and latches.
• Own the mechanism design process from initial concept through qualification.
• Select actuators and perform kinematics and load analysis.
• Create detailed drawings and ensure proper tolerances.
• Conduct failure modes analysis and physical testing.

Skills

Mechanism design

Actuation systems

Actuators integration

Kinematics analysis

Physical testing

Tools

GD&T

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Systems EngineerJob Description

Design and qualify actuated payload mechanisms including deployment systems, releases, doors, and latches. Own mechanism design from concept through qualification, including actuator selection, kinematics, load analysis, drawings, tolerances, failure modes, and physical testing.

Responsibilities

• Design and qualify actuated payload mechanisms such as deployment systems, releases, doors, and latches.
• Own the mechanism design process from initial concept through qualification.
• Select actuators and perform kinematics and load analysis.
• Create detailed drawings and ensure proper tolerances.
• Conduct failure modes analysis and physical testing.

Essential Skills

• 7+ years of mechanical engineering/design experience.
• Strong mechanism and/or actuation-system design experience.
• Experience in selecting and integrating actuators, motors, gearboxes, or drive systems.
• Proven experience in taking hardware through build and physical testing/qualification.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Deployment and release mechanisms expertise.
• Knowledge of latches, doors, hinges, and locking mechanisms.
• Familiarity with aerospace separation systems.
• Experience with spacecraft deployment mechanisms.
• Proficiency in linear actuators and gearboxes.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Experience in environmental and life-cycle qualification.
• Underwater/subsea actuation experience.

Work Environment

Fast-paced design/build/test environment with significant ownership. Ideal for aerospace/space engineers accustomed to mechanisms that must work reliably in demanding environments. Work involves developing a new platform for a large autonomous underwater vehicle program in a new clean-sheet design rather than maintaining a legacy design. The position is based in Santa Ana, CA at the Orange County Proto-Factory, requiring onsite presence five days a week. Candidates should confirm any potential flexibility in working onsite before committing to the position.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $96.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Costa Mesa,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.

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.