Product Engineer

Actalent; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short & long-term disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Lead Product Validation & Testing engineer in Elk Grove Village, IL. You will own comprehensive validation activities, develop test plans, and analyze results to drive durable, reliable products.

You will collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing, create detailed drawings with BOMs in SolidWorks, and apply DFM principles to optimize cost and production efficiency. Travel to customer sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of product engineering experience focused on design, testing, validation, and development.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks for detailed drawings and BOM creation.
• Experience performing load testing, cycle testing, FATs, and validation activities.
• Familiarity with DFMEA, PFMEA, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead validation activities including load and cycle testing, FAT, and performance verification.
• Create and execute test plans to validate durability, reliability, and performance.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing to clarify drawings and improve manufacturability.
• Independently manage engineering projects from concept through testing and launch.
• Travel 10–15% to customer sites for testing and implementation activities.

Skills

SolidWorks proficiency

DFMEA/PFMEA knowledge

Root cause analysis

Testing & validation

Troubleshooting hands-on engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Lead Product Validation & Testing

• Execute comprehensive product validation activities, including load testing, cycle testing, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and performance verification.
• Develop and execute test plans designed to validate product durability, reliability, and overall performance.
• Analyze test results, identify failure modes, and implement corrective actions utilizing DFMEA and PFMEA methodologies.
• Investigate product performance issues and drive engineering solutions based on data and testing outcomes.

Drive Product Development

• Support major distribution-focused customers by executing engineering projects following concept approval.
• Create and maintain engineering drawings, assemblies, and Bills of Material (BOMs) using SolidWorks.
• Develop tolerance specifications, material requirements, coating specifications, and testing standards.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to optimize product cost, performance, and production efficiency.

Collaborate with Suppliers & Manufacturing

• Partner with domestic and international suppliers to clarify drawings, evaluate material substitutions, and improve product manufacturability.
• Review supplier capabilities and recommend engineering improvements that reduce cost without sacrificing performance or quality.
• Prepare scopes of work for third‑party testing laboratories and evaluate test results for technical accuracy and validity.
• Support supply chain initiatives through material evaluations, sourcing decisions, and supplier collaboration.

Own Engineering Projects

• Independently manage projects from concept handoff through testing, validation, implementation, and launch.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, supply chain, and external partners to ensure successful product deployment.
• Spend time in testing environments, on the production floor, and at customer locations supporting installations and product evaluations.
• Travel approximately 10‑15% for customer visits, product testing, and implementation activities.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 2‑5 years of product engineering experience focused on design, testing, validation, and product development.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, including detailed drawings, assemblies, and BOM creation.
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with the ability to apply theory to real‑world product challenges.
• Experience performing and analyzing load testing, cycle testing, FATs, or similar validation activities.
• Experience developing structured test procedures, validation plans, and engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of DFMEA, PFMEA, root cause analysis, and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• Ability to independently lead engineering projects with minimal oversight.
• Hands‑on approach to engineering, including direct involvement in testing, troubleshooting, and product trials.
• Experience working with steel fabrication, structural products, or welded assemblies.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting products within distribution, warehousing, material handling, or industrial equipment environments.
• Background collaborating with overseas manufacturers and suppliers.
• Experience evaluating materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with supplier development and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Exposure to light manufacturing or supply‑chain‑driven product environments.

Why Engineers Are Interested in This Role

• Own projects from design release through validation and implementation.
• Balance CAD design, hands‑on testing, manufacturing support, and supplier collaboration.
• Work directly with customers and influence product performance in real‑world applications.
• Gain exposure to testing, reliability engineering, DFMEA/PFMEA, and product commercialization.
• Join a role where engineering decisions directly impact product quality, cost, and customer success.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk Grove Village, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $48.00/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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Elk Grove Village,IL.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

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.