Payload Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Pre-tax and Roth contributions

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent in Santa Ana, CA is seeking a Payload Engineer to lead the mechanical design and integration of payload hardware for a next-gen underwater vehicle. You will design housings, mounting structures, and interfaces under tight constraints, and develop drawings and ICDs for fabrication and testing.

The role is hands-on from concept through prototype builds, with at-sea validation and close collaboration with suppliers. Onsite 5 days a week at the Proto-Factory in Costa Mesa, CA.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Strong 3D CAD experience with SolidWorks, NX, Creo, CATIA, or comparable software.
• Experience releasing mechanical hardware into fabrication.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, drawings, and tolerance stackup.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design and integration of payload hardware for the Next Gen XXLUV.
• Design payload housings, mounting structures, and mechanical interfaces under tight constraints.
• Develop drawings and ICDs.
• Support prototype builds, integration testing, and at-sea validation.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

SolidWorks

NX

Creo

CATIA

GD&T

Fabrication release

Tools

ICDs

Job description

Job Title: Payload EngineerJob Description

The Payload Engineer will take ownership of the mechanical design and integration of payload hardware for the Next Gen XXLUV. The role involves designing payload housings, mounting structures, and mechanical interfaces for proprietary and third-party payloads, considering tight constraints on pressure, volume, mass, and center-of-gravity. The engineer will develop drawings and Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and support prototype builds, integration testing, and at-sea validation.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design and integration of payload hardware for the Next Gen XXLUV.
• Design payload housings, mounting structures, and mechanical interfaces under tight constraints.
• Develop drawings and ICDs.
• Support prototype builds, integration testing, and at-sea validation.

Essential Skills

• 7+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Strong 3D CAD experience with SolidWorks, NX, Creo, CATIA, or comparable software.
• Experience designing and releasing mechanical hardware into fabrication.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T, drawings, and tolerance stackup.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in payload mechanical integration.
• Knowledge of pressure housings and pressure-rated enclosures.
• Experience with sealed/environmentally protected enclosures.
• Familiarity with AUV/UUV, submarine, or subsea experience.
• Understanding of aerospace/spacecraft payload integration.
• Ability to manage mass, volume, and center-of-gravity.
• Knowledge of O-rings, penetrators, and underwater connectors.
• Experience with Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Familiarity with FEA / structural analysis.
• Experience with prototype build and integration testing.

Work Environment

This is a very hands-on mechanical design and integration role, requiring the engineer to work from concept and CAD through prototype hardware, integration testing, and field/at-sea validation. The position supports the development of a new clean-sheet large autonomous underwater vehicle program and is based in Santa Ana, CA at a Proto-Factory. The role requires onsite presence 5 days a week, with potential flexibility to be clarified during recruitment.

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 13, 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.

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.