Job Title: Mechanical Project / Application Engineer - Water Treatment SystemsJob Description
The Mechanical Project / Application Engineer plays a key role in the engineering, design, and manufacturing of water treatment and related equipment, including pump stations, reverse osmosis systems, control panels, and power distribution equipment. This position blends hands-on engineering with customer-facing responsibilities, working closely with sales and cross-functional teams to develop preliminary designs, size and select equipment, prepare pricing and quotations, and ensure that solutions meet technical requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations. It is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys both technical work and active interaction with clients and internal teams.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with the sales team and customers to thoroughly understand project requirements and application needs.
Review specifications, project scope documents, and bid packages to define engineering requirements and constraints.
Develop preliminary engineering concepts and solutions for water treatment and packaged equipment, including equipment sizing and selection.
Evaluate technical feasibility and provide input on design parameters, performance criteria, and system configurations.
Prepare accurate and competitive pricing proposals and quotations for customers based on engineering concepts and equipment selections.
Work with vendors to select appropriate components, obtain pricing, and confirm suitability for the intended application.
Maintain up-to-date pricing documentation and stay informed on cost factors that impact proposals and margins.
Serve as a primary point of contact for customers during the early stages of the project lifecycle.
Respond to customer inquiries and technical questions, providing clear, timely, and professional communication.
Build and maintain strong customer relationships to support client satisfaction and repeat business.
Partner with the sales team to identify new opportunities, tailor technical proposals, and assist in closing deals.
Provide technical support during sales presentations, customer meetings, and discussions of system design and performance.
Stay current on industry trends, standards, and best practices related to packaged equipment and water treatment systems.
Continuously expand technical knowledge of product offerings, system design, and engineering tools.
Provide technical guidance and functional input to internal engineering teams and relevant external stakeholders.
Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality control, and project management to ensure project success and adherence to specifications.
Coordinate effective handoff of projects to the project management team once proposals are accepted.
Document and maintain accurate records of customer interactions, project details, engineering concepts, and design decisions.
Prepare reports, project summaries, and technical documentation to support internal teams and customers.
Ensure that engineered solutions comply with applicable industry standards, regulations, and internal quality requirements.
Work with quality control and project management to identify and address any quality-related issues that arise.
Identify technical challenges during the project lifecycle and develop practical solutions to resolve them.
Implement effective problem-solving approaches that support project success and high levels of customer satisfaction.
Use Microsoft Excel and other tools to support pricing, quoting, process automation, and spreadsheet-based analysis.
Contribute to the automation and improvement of internal processes and spreadsheets to increase efficiency in proposal and design work.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, preferably Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering.
Preferred 2+ years of experience in a similar role within the equipment manufacturing industry.
Hands-on experience with engineering or design of water treatment systems, including fluid mechanics concepts and calculations.
Proficiency in engineering software and design tools used for equipment and system design.
Strong understanding of engineering concepts related to fluid mechanics and packaged equipment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Ability to interpret specifications, project scope documents, and technical requirements for bidding and design.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with clients, sales teams, and internal groups.
Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail in engineering analysis and proposal development.
Knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations applicable to equipment manufacturing and water treatment systems.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a cross-functional team.
Willingness to travel for customer meetings and site visits as necessary, with typical travel averaging around 10% per year.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Background in application engineering or sales engineering supporting technical products and systems.
Experience working in equipment manufacturing environments, particularly with pump stations, reverse osmosis systems, control panels, and power distribution equipment.
Comfort with using Excel for pricing, quoting, and process automation, including building and maintaining spreadsheets.
Ability to support system-level engineering activities, such as initial layout, equipment sizing, and selection.
Strong customer service orientation, with the ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships.
Interest in a role that combines engineering responsibilities with regular interaction with clients and internal stakeholders.
Capability to provide functional guidance to internal engineering teams and external partners on technical matters.
Motivation to stay current with industry trends and best practices in water treatment and packaged equipment.
Work Environment
This role is based in an office environment and follows a Monday through Friday schedule. Work is primarily conducted using engineering software, Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and internal systems for documentation and pricing. Travel is limited and typically averages around 10% per year, with occasional trips for customer meetings, site visits, and learning opportunities. The work culture emphasizes collaboration between sales, engineering, manufacturing, quality control, and project management teams, providing a setting where engineers can contribute both technical expertise and customer-facing support. Attire is consistent with a professional office environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Dallas, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $90000.00/yr.
Benefits Include: - Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage - Employer-paid Teladoc - 401K with matching - Paid holidays - Paid Time Off; up to 120 hours - Company-wide quarterly performance bonuses (standard - 10%)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Dallas,TX.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 7, 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 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.
