Job Title: Mechanical Engineer
Job Description
The Mechanical Engineer designs, develops, and supports custom vertical die casting presses that meet customer-specific requirements. This role combines engineering calculations, 3D modeling, and technical documentation with close collaboration across electrical, controls, process, manufacturing, and service teams to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective capital equipment. The Mechanical Engineer ensures that all designs comply with applicable standards and quality policies while meeting performance, safety, cost, and schedule objectives.
Responsibilities
Design and develop custom vertical die casting presses, including frames, tooling, loading and unloading mechanisms, and related mechanical systems.
Interpret customer specifications and requirements and translate them into robust engineering solutions.
Create detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and complete bills of materials (BOMs) for new and existing equipment.
Perform engineering calculations, including stress, load, and safety factor analyses, to ensure structural integrity and performance.
Apply stress analysis and finite element analysis (FEA) to validate designs and optimize components for durability and manufacturability.
Review designs for manufacturability and collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure efficient fabrication, welding, machining, and assembly.
Work closely with electrical, controls, and process engineers to achieve complete system integration for vertical die casting presses.
Support proto@type builds by assisting with assembly, setup, and testing of new presses and mechanical systems.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, including design records, test procedures, compliance reports, and other engineering documentation.
Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to manufacturing, assembly, and service teams throughout the product lifecycle.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing press performance, reliability, maintainability, and safety.
Ensure all designs and documentation comply with applicable codes, standards, and internal quality policies.
Complete assigned engineering projects within established budgets, timelines, and quality expectations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate engineering concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Travel occasionally (around 5%) to customer locations, typically for 3-7 days per trip, to support installations, troubleshooting, or project reviews.
Essential Skills
Minimum 4+ years of mechanical design experience with hydraulic systems and stress analysis, including finite element analysis (FEA).
Strong mechanical engineering design skills with a focus on custom machinery, hydraulic presses, or heavy equipment.
Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks or equivalent for modeling, detailing, and assembly design.
Hands-on experience creating and managing bills of materials (BOMs) and detailed engineering drawings.
Strong knowledge of hydraulic systems, including components, circuits, and integration into mechanical equipment.
Ability to perform and interpret stress, load, and safety factor calculations for complex mechanical structures.
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as welding, machining, and fabrication and their impact on design decisions.
Ability to analyze and solve complex engineering problems using sound engineering principles and data-driven approaches.
Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams.
High attention to detail with strong organizational and documentation skills for maintaining accurate engineering records.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
4+ years of experience in custom machinery design, preferably involving hydraulic presses, die casting presses, or heavy capital equipment.
Working knowledge of industry codes and standards, including ANSI and OSHA, with awareness of CE and similar standards.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience designing vertical die casting presses or similar capital equipment is highly beneficial.
Experience in integrating mechanical systems with electrical and controls systems in industrial machinery.
Exposure to fluid power systems and components beyond basic hydraulics.
Fluid Power Specialist Certification is preferred and considered a strong asset.
Familiarity with CE and other international standards for machinery is a plus.
Experience supporting proto@type builds, testing, and commissioning of custom equipment.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to performance, reliability, and safety.
Strong documentation skills for creating test procedures, compliance reports, and design records.
Ability to travel occasionally (around 5%) to customer sites for short durations, typically 3-7 days per trip.
Work Environment
This role focuses on the design and development of heavy capital equipment, specifically vertical die casting presses and hydraulic press systems. The Mechanical Engineer works primarily in an engineering office environment using 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks or equivalent, along with other engineering tools for stress analysis and FEA. Regular collaboration with electrical, controls, process, manufacturing, assembly, and service teams is expected, often involving visits to the shop floor to review fabrication, welding, machining, and assembly activities. The position includes occasional travel of around 5% to customer locations, typically for 3-7 days per trip, to support equipment installations, testing, troubleshooting, or project reviews. The work environment emphasizes adherence to applicable codes and standards such as ANSI and OSHA, and operates under structured quality policies with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Dayton, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $120000.00/yr.
medical, dental, vision, 401K ect
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Dayton,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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.
