AUTOMATED MACHINE DESIGN ENGINEER OPPORTUNITY | ONSITE | COLUMBUS, IN
This position requires working onsite Monday-Thursday, from home on Friday, in a tooling and technology center located in Columbus, Indiana. Being onsite in Columbus, IN is mandatory.
Job Description
This Mechanical Engineer role supports a dedicated tooling and equipment center focused on emissions control technologies within the automotive industry. You will join a collaborative design team responsible for developing, reviewing, and updating mechanical tooling and equipment used in automated manufacturing processes. The position combines hands-on 3D mechanical design, coordination with internal and external stakeholders, and ongoing support for product and process changes in a clean, modern proto@type environment.
Responsibilities
Define concepts for tooling and equipment, including isostatism, part positioning, and tool change strategies.
Prepare clear sketches and preliminary layouts to assess feasibility throughout tooling and equipment operations.
Interface closely with the Product Process Simulation Specialist to align process and tooling requirements.
Create detailed 3D mechanical designs using SolidWorks for tooling, fixtures, and automated equipment.
Coordinate and collaborate with external design resources to ensure design quality, consistency, and timely delivery.
Lead and participate in design reviews with tooling engineers and project leaders to obtain design approval.
Develop complete 2D drawings for tooling and equipment components in accordance with engineering standards and GD&T principles.
Generate accurate bills of materials (BOM) for tooling and equipment, ensuring completeness and traceability.
Manage product and process changes by updating and controlling design documentation and models.
Provide technical support to internal and external tool manufacturing teams when design-related issues arise during the manufacturing phase.
Define and help implement new standard specifications for equipment to improve consistency, quality, and manufacturability.
Support the development of automation machine designs, including material handling, welding, and part transfer systems as part of project work.
Essential Skills
Minimum of five years of mechanical design experience in a manufacturing or equipment-focused environment.
Proficiency in 3D mechanical design using SolidWorks.
Hands-on experience with automation machine design, such as material handling, welding, and part transfer systems.
Strong in mechanical engineering principles and mechanical design practices.
Ability to create and interpret detailed 2D drawings and apply GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
Experience developing tooling and equipment designs, including fixtures, gauges, and custom machinery.
Proficiency in generating and managing bills of materials (BOM) for tooling and equipment.
Ability to support design changes throughout the product and process lifecycle.
Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with internal teams and external design resources.
Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or Electrical Engineering Technology, or equivalent technical education.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or Electrical Engineering Technology is preferred.
Automotive industry experience, particularly with emissions control or related systems, is a plus.
Familiarity with automation, tooling, and equipment design in a proto@type or low-volume environment.
Experience with gauging, tube forming, muffler or canning processes, or similar manufacturing methods is beneficial.
Exposure to welding processes, such as MIG welding, in the @context of automated or semi-automated equipment is advantageous.
Ability to contribute to the development of standard specifications and best practices for equipment design.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple internal and external projects simultaneously.
Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on supporting manufacturing and resolving design-related issues quickly and effectively.
Work Environment
You will work in a climate-controlled, clean proto@type facility dedicated to tooling and equipment for emissions control technologies. The environment is quiet, organized, and designed to support focused engineering work. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with onsite work required Monday through Thursday and the option to work from home on Fridays. You will have your own desk and monitor and will sit alongside other mechanical engineers, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. The role offers the opportunity to support a variety of internal and external projects, with strong long-term business growth and comprehensive benefits upon full-time employment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $48.08/hr.
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 Indianapolis,IN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
