Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer - Heavy-Duty Truck Accessories
Job Description
This Mechanical Design Engineer role leads the end-to-end development of heavy-duty truck accessories and systems for commercial and vocational truck platforms. You will focus on mechanical design, integration, and validation of complex accessory products, including hydraulic systems, structural components, and electrical integration. Working as a key member of a fast-paced product design team, you will deliver innovative, durable, and high-performance solutions tailored to demanding customer applications and industry requirements.
Responsibilities
Lead the mechanical design and integration of heavy truck accessory products such as hydraulic liftgates, tool storage systems, service bodies, utility cranes, winches, PTO-driven systems, and other chassis-mounted equipment.
Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, controls, hydraulics, and manufacturing teams to develop fully integrated accessory solutions for commercial and vocational truck platforms.
Own the full product development lifecycle from concept through production launch, including prototyping, CAD design, FEA, design for manufacturability (DFM), and validation testing.
Design robust mechanical structures and assemblies using steel, aluminum, and composite materials suitable for heavy-duty environments and demanding service conditions.
Develop and optimize hydraulic systems, including pump and motor selection, hydraulic circuit design, and performance tuning to meet functional and durability targets.
Ensure seamless electrical integration of powered accessories with truck OEM or aftermarket power and control systems, coordinating closely with electrical and controls engineers.
Create and maintain complete engineering documentation, including 3D models, detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), engineering change orders, and test reports.
Support and participate in validation testing, including environmental, fatigue, load, and field testing, and use test results to refine and improve designs.
Evaluate test data and engineering feedback to determine whether designs meet functional and performance specifications, and prepare design modifications as needed.
Troubleshoot and resolve design-related issues that arise in manufacturing and production assembly, working closely with production teams to implement effective solutions.
Engage directly with suppliers and customers to define requirements, clarify specifications, resolve technical challenges, and ensure product compatibility with truck platforms and accessory systems.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product performance, durability, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability.
Maintain thorough, accurate, and consistent documentation practices and ensure that engineering records are organized and up to date.
Communicate clearly and professionally with engineering, operations, and other internal groups to align on design intent and finalize product solutions.
Contribute actively to a fast-paced product design team by bringing a hands-on, mechanically inclined approach and a strong sense of ownership for design quality and delivery.
Essential Skills
5-15 years of engineering experience with a focus on mechanical design of heavy-duty industrial products or large multicomponent assemblies.
Proven experience designing heavy-duty industrial products that operate in demanding environments.
Strong knowledge of mechanical design principles related to large, complex, multicomponent assemblies and structural systems.
Engineering expertise to evaluate test results and determine whether designs meet functional and performance specifications.
Experience working with testing and engineering personnel to analyze results and prepare design modifications based on validation findings.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate and solve design-related issues arising in manufacturing and production assembly environments.
Proficiency in 3D CAD for mechanical design; experience with Creo is a strong plus and SolidWorks experience is valuable.
Hands-on mechanical aptitude and a practical approach to problem solving and product development.
Excellent communication skills with a track record of effective interaction and collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and other groups.
Strong attention to accuracy and detail, with pride in producing well thought-out, robust designs.
Consistent and thorough documentation habits with excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Experience in mechanical engineering and new product development, including taking products from concept through launch.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
5-15 years of professional engineering experience in mechanical design and product development.
Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) to support structural design and validation.
Experience with design for manufacturability (DFM) and collaboration with manufacturing teams.
Experience designing heavy-duty truck mounting assemblies is a strong plus.
Experience developing 3D designs in Creo is a strong plus; exposure to SolidWorks is beneficial.
Experience with hydraulic system design, including pump and motor selection, circuit design, and performance optimization.
Familiarity with integrating mechanical systems with electrical and control systems on truck platforms.
Self-motivated, results-oriented work style with the ability to sustain continuous effort in a fast-paced environment.
Disciplined and organized approach to work, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities within a product design team.
Work Environment
You will work in a brand-new, modern facility within a fast-paced engineering organization that embraces a work-hard, play-hard mentality. The broader organization includes approximately 800 employees, and you will be part of an engineering team of about 5-8 engineers focused on product design and development. The environment emphasizes collaboration, hands-on problem solving, and close interaction with manufacturing and testing. You will regularly use advanced CAD tools such as Creo and SolidWorks, along with standard engineering and documentation systems, to support new product development and continuous improvement initiative.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cleveland, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $57.69/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 Cleveland,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 19, 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.
