Senior Mechanical Engineer
Job Description
This Senior Mechanical Engineer role you will support both custom product modifications and new product development, evaluating customer requirements, performing engineering analysis, selecting motion control components, and leading efforts from concept through validation and production support. The position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys combining analytical design work with hands-on testing of electro-mechanical systems and motion control assemblies.
Responsibilities
Evaluate customer requirements and translate them into clear mechanical and electro-mechanical design specifications.
Perform engineering analysis using first principles, including structures, heat transfer, statics, dynamics, and motor sizing, to recommend sound design choices.
Design and develop electro-mechanical assemblies and subassemblies for pan-and-tilt positioning systems and tripod products, rather than focusing solely on individual parts.
Allocate approximately 40% of time to testing and analysis, including selecting motors, drives, sensors, and encoders through performance calculations and hands-on testing.
Allocate approximately 30% of time to design and simulation, including CAD modeling (preferably in SolidWorks), structural analysis, and finite element analysis (FEA).
Allocate approximately 30% of time to supplier and manufacturing support, including electro-mechanical component selection, supplier interaction, and resolving production issues.
Develop and validate electro-mechanical systems, ensuring that precision motion control components such as encoders, motors, bearings, and supporting structures work together reliably.
Specify and execute relevant tests, including those associated with MIL-STD-810, to validate component and subsystem performance under environmental and operational conditions.
Lead projects from requirements elicitation through design, testing, production handoff, and after-sales support, ensuring technical integrity and timely delivery.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing and suppliers, to address design for manufacturability, troubleshoot production issues, and support continuous improvement.
Support both new product development initiatives and custom product modifications to meet specific customer and application needs.
Document designs, analyses, test plans, and results clearly to support ongoing product development, quality assurance, and future design iterations.
Essential Skills
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering discipline with adequate related experience.
5+ years of professional experience in a mechanical engineering role.
Proven experience designing and validating electro-mechanical systems, particularly those involving motion control components.
Strong technical thinking ability with a solid foundation in first principles, including structures, heat transfer, statics, dynamics, and motor sizing.
Familiarity with full system architecture of precision motion control systems, including encoders, motors, bearings, and structural elements.
Demonstrated ability to design assemblies and subassemblies, not just individual components, within complex electro-mechanical systems.
Comfort with hands-on testing and validation of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems.
Ability to perform performance calculations and interpret test results to inform design decisions.
Experience supporting supplier and manufacturing activities, including component selection and resolution of production issues.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Northfield, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $55.00/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 Northfield,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 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 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.
