Senior Mechanical Development Engineer

Actalent; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO)

Job summary

Actalent in Northbrook, IL is seeking a Mechanical Development Engineer to design, validate, and sustain precision pan and tilt devices, integrating payloads such as EO/IR optics and RF antennas. This contract-to-hire role collaborates with sales on new product development and supports resolution of real-world challenges.

You will apply first-principles analysis, simulations, and rigorous validation, interfacing with customers and PMs to deliver robust architectures and comprehensive test

Qualifications

• SolidWorks CAD, FEA, and PDM experience.
• Motion control loop development with stepper and servo based systems.
• Familiar with component and subsystem level validation.
• Project leadership experience – from requirement elicitation to after sales support.
• Experience with MIL-STD-810 testing and validation.

Responsibilities

• Use engineering first principles and simulation software to define new product architectures and validate designs.
• Interface directly with customers, sales, and marketing teams to understand real world challenges and recommend new architectures to address these challenges.
• Work with Project Management team to develop and execute Design Validation Plans for new products.
• Complete virtual and physical validation of new products, including report writing.

Skills

Mechanical Engineer

New Product Development

Mechanical Design

Mechanical Designer

NDP Engineer

Electro-Mechanical

Motors

Sensors

Actuators

Design Validation Plans

FEA

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks CAD

FEA

PDM

Job description

Description

About the Job: The Mechanical Development Engineer position is responsible for the design, validation, and sustainment of precision pan and tilt devices. The role will be tasked with the development of these devices as well as integration of various payloads – some examples include EO/IR optics, laser range finders, RF parabolic and horn antennas, and flat panel radars. This role will work directly with sales on custom and new product development efforts.

Required Qualifications

• -5+ years of professional experience in mechanical engineering role
• -Experience with designing and validating electro-mechanical systems
• -Technical thinker with strong ability to recommend design choices based on first principles (structures, heat transfer, Statics/Dynamics, motor sizing)
• -Familiar with full system architecture of precision motion control systems (encoders, motors, bearings, structures)
• -BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent engineering discipline with adequate experience

Skills

Mechanical Engineer, New Product Development, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Designer, NDP Engineer, Electro-Mechanical, Motors, Sensors, Actuators, Design Validation Plans, FEA

Top Skills Details

Mechanical Engineer,New Product Development,Mechanical Design,Mechanical Designer,NDP Engineer

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications -SolidWorks CAD, FEA, and PDM experience -Motion control loop development with stepper and servo based systems -Familiar with component and subsystem level validation -Project leadership experience – from requirement elicitation to after sales support -Experience with specifying and executing relevant tests associated with MIL-STD-810 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• -Use engineering first principles and simulation software to define new product architectures and validate designs
• -Interface directly with customers, sales, and marketing teams to understand real world challenges and recommend new architectures to address these challenges
• -Work with Project Management team to develop and execute Design Validation Plans for new products
• -Complete virtual and physical validation of new products, including report writing.

Experience Level

Expert Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Northbrook, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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 Northbrook,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 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.