Job Title: Mechanical Engineer
Job Description
This Mechanical Engineer role focuses on new product development for positioners and welding automation systems, including a precision, robot-programmed product line. You will design and analyze high-precision mechanical components and systems, drive design-for-manufacturing, and support integration of automation, motion control, robotics, hydraulics, and structural systems. The position offers a clear succession pipeline into future engineering leadership, extensive cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to influence product roadmaps and manufacturing processes in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Responsibilities
Study specifications, engineering blueprints, tool orders, and shop data to understand design requirements and manufacturing constraints.
Confer with engineering, service, and shop personnel to resolve design problems related to material characteristics, dimensional tolerances, service requirements, manufacturing procedures, and cost.
Spend approximately 70% of your time using Creo and related CAD tools to perform 3D mechanical design for manufacturing.
Spend approximately 15% of your time on the shop floor working with production and fabricators to support service, troubleshooting, and design implementation.
Allocate approximately 15% of your time to ERF integration and analysis activities, ensuring proper integration of new designs into existing systems and processes.
Lead new product development for positioners and welding automation systems, including precision, robot-programmed product lines.
Perform mechanical design, finite element analysis (FEA), geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and tolerance analysis for high-precision, tight-fit components.
Drive design-for-manufacturing initiatives to ensure repeatability, reliability, and scalability of products.
Support integration of automation, motion control, robotics, hydraulics, and structural systems into capital equipment and industrial machinery.
Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing teams, suppliers, and leadership to execute product roadmaps and meet project milestones.
Lead technical projects from concept through launch, including requirements definition, design, prototyping, testing, and production handoff.
Apply a strong understanding of structural steel design, weldments, industrial motion systems, and mechanical power transmission to develop robust, reliable equipment.
Manage and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within scope.
Develop and maintain accurate bills of materials (BOMs) and CAD documentation within systems such as Windchill.
Contribute to continuous improvement and lean product development initiatives to enhance product performance and reduce cost.
Provide technical support for servo motor and drive applications, hydraulic systems, and PLC integration as needed.
Participate in troubleshooting and resolving field or production issues related to mechanical design and system integration.
Work closely with leadership to align project work with long-term engineering and career development goals.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering; a Master's Degree is preferred.
3+ years of engineering experience in capital equipment or industrial machinery.
Proven experience leading technical projects from concept to launch.
Strong understanding of structural steel design and weldments.
Strong understanding of industrial motion systems and mechanical power transmission.
Experience managing cross-functional teams.
3D CAD design for manufacturing, with significant hands-on experience using Creo.
Ability to perform mechanical design, including high-precision and tight-fit components.
Experience with finite element analysis (FEA).
Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and tolerance analysis.
Experience working with bills of materials (BOMs) and CAD design workflows.
Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, service, and shop personnel to resolve design and manufacturing issues.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering is preferred.
Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience, or an associate's degree with equivalent experience, may be considered for candidates with strong demonstrated capability.
Project management experience in new product development.
Experience with Creo and Windchill for CAD and product data management.
Hydraulic system design experience.
Experience with robotic or welding automation systems.
Structural analysis experience, including advanced FEA.
Experience with servo motor and drive applications.
Exposure to PLC integration.
Lean product development experience.
Experience working with automation, motion control, robotics, hydraulics, and structural systems.
Interest in and aptitude for progressing into engineering leadership roles.
Comfort wearing multiple hats and contributing across design, analysis, shop support, and project coordination.
Motivation to participate in continued education and professional development opportunities.
Work Environment
This role is primarily office-based, with approximately 85% of your time spent performing design work and analysis and about 15% spent on the shop floor. You will work closely with a shop team of around 20 people in a facility that includes three manufacturing bays and one additional bay dedicated to specialized work. The environment is fun, team-oriented, and highly collaborative, with a strong culture where people feel valued and turnover is very low. The organization emphasizes growth, supported by a high backlog of work and ongoing expansion, providing significant opportunities for career development and advancement into future engineering leadership roles. The work involves extensive use of 3D CAD tools such as Creo and product data management systems like Windchill, as well as exposure to automation, robotics, hydraulics, servo systems, and PLC-integrated equipment. The company supports continued education and encourages employees to work with leadership to align projects with individual career goals. A notable perk of the culture is that team lunches are regularly provided during the week, reinforcing a close-knit and supportive atmosphere.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rock Island, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $53.00/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 Rock Island,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 8, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
