Senior Mechanical Engineering Manager - Custom Equipment

Actalent; Aurora (OH); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Actalent in Aurora, OH is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a growing team responsible for custom machinery design, problem solving, and end-to-end project execution. You will drive robust engineering practices and ensure customer requirements, safety, manufacturability, and cost targets are met.

The role emphasizes mentoring engineers, coordinating with controls, manufacturing, purchasing, and sales, and delivering on-time, on-budget projects, including occasional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or associate degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of design experience in custom equipment design and manufacturing.
• 5+ years of management experience leading, mentoring, or supervising mechanical engineers and designers.
• Advanced capability in custom machinery and system design, including complex integrated equipment.
• Experience with drive systems and motion control in industrial machinery.
• Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems used in custom equipment.
• Experience with industrial thermal-processing equipment and related mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of controls integration, equipment sequencing, risk assessment, and machine safety principles.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent, including drawing creation and bill-of-material release practices.
• Ability to travel approximately 15-30%, including occasional international travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop mechanical engineers and designers, setting clear priorities, expectations, and performance standards.
• Manage engineering workload, schedules, resources, and project priorities to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of custom equipment projects.
• Lead concept, design, and release reviews for custom equipment and integrated systems, ensuring technical robustness and alignment with customer needs.
• Review and approve mechanical drawings, engineering calculations, component selections, bills of materials, and other engineering deliverables.
• Ensure designs meet customer specifications, safety standards, manufacturability requirements, and cost targets throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead complex custom equipment projects from initial concept through detailed design, fabrication, testing, installation, and commissioning.
• Coordinate closely with Controls, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Project Management, Sales, Service, and Applications Engineering throughout project execution.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for customers and suppliers, providing clear communication and timely issue resolution.
• Support Sales and Applications Engineering with equipment concepts, technical input for estimating, proposal development, and scope clarification.
• Identify schedule, resource, and technical risks early in the project and develop appropriate mitigation plans and solutions.
• Support equipment testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning at customer sites, including occasional international travel as required.
• Provide a clear technical and commercial handoff of awarded projects to Engineering, ensuring all requirements and assumptions are documented.
• Maintain accurate costing for all active projects and quotations, monitoring variances and driving corrective actions where needed.
• Support project engineering and serve as an ongoing technical resource, maintaining strong customer presence and communication throughout each project.

Skills

Bachelors in Mechanical Eng

8+ years design experience

5+ years management experience

3D CAD: SolidWorks/Inventor

Travel 15-30% (incl. international)

Controls integration & safety

Drive systems & motion control

Hydraulic & pneumatic systems

Industrial equipment safety standards

Machine design for custom systems

Education

Bachelor's or Associate in Mechanical Eng / related field

Tools

SolidWorks / Inventor

Job description

Actalent in Aurora, OH is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a growing team responsible for custom machinery design, problem solving, and end-to-end project execution. You will drive robust engineering practices and ensure customer requirements, safety, manufacturability, and cost targets are met.

The role emphasizes mentoring engineers, coordinating with controls, manufacturing, purchasing, and sales, and delivering on-time, on-budget projects, including occasional