Product Engineer

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Product Engineer based in Chula Vista, CA to design and prototype electromechanical systems. The role involves integrating mechanical designs with sensors and microcontroller-based controls, building prototypes, and supporting product transitions into production.

Ideal candidates have a BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, 4–7 years of relevant experience, and strong skills in SolidWorks and AutoCAD. This position emphasizes hands-on involvement in product development within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years of experience in a similar engineering role.
• Hands-on experience with electromechanical systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype electromechanical systems.
• Integrate mechanical systems with sensors and controls.
• Manage multiple projects and meet development timelines.

Skills

SolidWorks proficiency

AutoCAD proficiency

Electromechanical system integration

Microcontroller usage (Arduino, Raspberry Pi)

Prototyping and testing

Troubleshooting skills

Mechanical design

Control logic implementation

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Product Engineer

This role focuses on designing, prototyping, and refining electromechanical systems from initial concept to working product. You will integrate mechanical designs with sensors, actuators, and microcontroller-based controls, build and test prototypes in-house, and support the transition of new products into production. The position offers the opportunity to work on industry-leading scientific equipment, directly influence product direction, and solve real‑world engineering problems in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype electromechanical systems from concept through to fully functional working products.
• Integrate mechanical systems with sensors, actuators, motors, and microcontroller‑based control systems.
• Build and test prototypes in‑house using tools such as 3D printers and basic machining equipment.
• Develop and iterate on new product designs and lead major redesigns of existing systems to improve performance and reliability.
• Troubleshoot system‑level issues across mechanical, electrical, and basic software components, ensuring robust and reliable operation.
• Implement and refine control logic on microcontroller platforms (such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar) to read sensor inputs and control outputs.
• Conduct hands‑on electromechanical system integration, including hardware integration, data acquisition, and instrumentation.
• Apply design methodologies such as DFMEA to improve system robustness and mitigate potential failure modes.
• Support customers with technical issues, system installations, and field troubleshooting as needed.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to transition designs from prototype to production‑ready systems.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, typically two or more, while maintaining high quality and meeting development timelines.
• Participate in rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles, incorporating feedback from R&D and real‑world product applications.
• Document designs, test results, and system configurations clearly to support manufacturing, service, and future product iterations.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for 2D drawings and documentation.
• Strong hands‑on experience with electromechanical system integration, not just mechanical design.
• Experience working with motors, sensors, actuators, and control systems in integrated applications.
• Ability to use microcontrollers such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or similar platforms to read inputs and control outputs.
• Demonstrated experience building and testing prototypes in‑house, including use of 3D printing and basic machining tools.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across hardware and system‑level issues involving mechanical, electrical, and basic software interaction.
• Ability to design and prototype mechanical parts and assemblies while integrating control systems, including signal input/output and basic programming.
• Experience working with sensors and actuators and personally implementing the control logic that drives system behavior.
• Ability to take a system from concept through working prototype, including in‑house build, testing, and iterative refinement.
• Comfortable troubleshooting full systems that include mechanical, electrical, and basic software components.
• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Ideal experience level of approximately 4–7 years in a similar engineering role (Engineer II–III level).
• Ability to work independently and own projects end‑to‑end.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Comfortable working in a small, fast‑paced environment with limited resources.
• Ability to travel internationally as required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with robotics, controls engineering, or automation systems.
• Exposure to embedded electronics, data acquisition, and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with hardware integration and system‑level design practices.
• Experience applying DFMEA or similar reliability and risk assessment methodologies.
• A strong “maker” mindset, demonstrated through personal projects, hands‑on hobbies, or building activities outside of work.
• Interest in designing and building next‑generation scientific equipment used in pharmaceutical and research environments.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with small, cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a hands‑on environment focused on rapid prototyping, creativity, and problem‑solving.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role with a high level of hands‑on involvement in prototyping and system development. You will work in a small, collaborative team where engineers take strong ownership, operate with a high degree of independence, and adapt quickly to changing priorities. The environment emphasizes in‑house prototyping and rapid iteration rather than outsourcing early development work, with development cycles typically ranging from 6 to 12 months for new products or major redesigns. You will work on industry‑leading scientific equipment used by top pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and research institutions, gaining exposure to both cutting‑edge R&D and real‑world product applications in global research settings. The culture rewards initiative, creativity, and practical problem‑solving, offering a high‑impact role where your engineering contributions directly influence product direction, functionality, and performance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chula Vista, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $115,000.00 - $125,000.00/yr.

Health, Dental, Vision, 401(k)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chula Vista, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 10, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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.