Job Title: Mechanical EngineerJob Description
This Mechanical Engineer role combines hands-on work on the production floor with design responsibilities using SolidWorks. You will support a close-knit, family-oriented manufacturing environment by troubleshooting tooling and casting issues, collaborating with production staff, and contributing to continuous improvement of mechanical designs and processes.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with production floor personnel to understand issues, gather feedback, and provide engineering support in a clear and practical way.
Use SolidWorks to create, modify, and maintain mechanical designs, tools, and fixtures related to casting and manufacturing operations.
Spend time in various departments, such as the wax room and straightening department, to observe processes, identify problems, and propose engineering solutions.
Inspect tools and equipment to determine root causes of mechanical or process issues and recommend corrective actions.
Use hand tools and other shop equipment to support troubleshooting, adjustments, and minor modifications to tools and fixtures.
Support grinding, straightening, and other finishing operations by understanding fixture design and how it impacts product quality.
Read and interpret mechanical blueprints and technical drawings to ensure designs meet specifications and are manufacturable.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve casting processes and mechanical designs for efficiency, quality, and safety.
Document design changes, observations, and recommendations in a clear and organized manner.
Actively participate in a hands-on, get-involved culture by regularly being present on the shop floor rather than working exclusively at a desk.
Essential Skills
Mechanical engineering background with experience or training in SolidWorks.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical blueprints and technical drawings.
Comfort working in a hands-on manufacturing environment, including spending significant time on the production floor.
Strong communication skills to effectively interact with production workers and other team members.
Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve tooling and process issues.
Willingness to use hand tools and engage directly with equipment and fixtures.
Education in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or an Associate degree in a relevant field.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Internship experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, or a related field is preferred but not required.
Experience with mechanical design related to castings or foundry operations is a plus.
background in mechanical design, engineering, or manufacturing environments.
Interest in working in a smaller, family-oriented organization rather than a large corporate setting.
Ability to adapt to a varied day, moving between design tasks and hands-on floor activities.
Work Environment
This role is based in a family-owned manufacturing facility with a close-knit, supportive culture. The environment emphasizes teamwork, open communication, and a strong sense of community. You will split your time between office or engineering spaces using SolidWorks and the production floor, including areas such as the wax room, straightening department, and grinding or finishing operations. The work is hands-on and may involve using hand tools and being around casting and foundry processes, which can include noise, heat, and industrial equipment. The organization values a collaborative, family-like atmosphere, highlighted by company-wide events such as pizza gatherings and picnics where employees and their families are invited. Employees participate in profit sharing, reinforcing a shared commitment to the company's success. Dress is practical and appropriate for a manufacturing setting, with suitable attire and any required protective equipment provided or specified to ensure safety on the shop floor.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milwaukee, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $65000.00 - $85000.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
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 Milwaukee,WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 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.