Mechanical Engineer - Department of DefenseDesign Complex Systems. Solve Technical Challenges. Support Next-Generation Testing.
Are you a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys working on highly custom equipment, complex mechanical systems, and challenging engineering problems that do not come with a one-size-fits-all solution?
We are seeking a skilled Mechanical Engineer to support the design, analysis, and validation of custom mechanical and structural systems used in advanced wind tunnel and ground test environments. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys taking concepts from early design through analysis, documentation, fabrication support, installation, and commissioning.
If you have experience with mechanical design, FEA, welded steel structures, pressure vessels, piping systems, process equipment, and large industrial systems, this is a great opportunity to work on technically challenging projects in a collaborative engineering environment.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will help design and validate custom mechanical systems and equipment for new facilities, major upgrades, and complex test environments.
Key Responsibilities
Design and develop mechanical subsystems for custom engineered equipment and facility upgrades.
Work on systems that may include:
Welded steel structures
Pressure vessels
Piping systems
Mechanical mechanisms
Rotating equipment
Pneumatic systems
Hydraulic systems
Fuel systems
Cooling water systems
Process equipment
Perform FEA and supporting calculations to validate mechanical and structural designs.
Develop design criteria, calculation packages, procurement specifications, technical reports, and verification plans.
Collaborate with designers to create accurate drawings, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation.
Review designs for manufacturability, performance, safety, and customer requirements.
Support procurement and subcontractor coordination when components or systems are outsourced.
Participate in internal and customer design reviews.
Provide technical support to fabrication, procurement, assembly, installation, and commissioning teams.
Assist with vendor selection, quality review, site surveys, and equipment installation.
Coordinate with project managers, chief engineers, and cross-functional engineering teams.
Support future project proposals through technical concepts, cost estimates, and written proposal content.
What We're Looking ForRequired Experience
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent education and experience.
5+ years of experience in mechanical design, systems engineering, or design engineering.
Experience with large industrial equipment, complex mechanical systems, or facility-based engineering projects.
Proficiency with 3D CAD tools for mechanical design.
SolidWorks experience preferred, but other 3D CAD platforms will be considered.
Strong FEA experience for mechanical and structural analysis.
ANSYS experience preferred, or similar FEA software.
Experience designing and analyzing welded steel structures.
Experience with fluid/process systems including valves, filters, pumps, instrumentation, and piping.
Knowledge of fabrication methods such as forming, welding, machining, and additive manufacturing.
Experience with pressure vessels and piping systems using applicable codes such as B31.3, PED, or similar standards.
Familiarity with GD&T and engineering documentation standards.
Ability to work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities independently.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, typically less than 10%.
Must meet US Person requirements based on applicable security requirements.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience in any of the following areas are highly encouraged to apply:
Aerospace engineering environments
Wind tunnel or ground test facilities
Large industrial equipment
Custom mechanical equipment
High-temperature systems
Mechanical test systems
Pressure vessels and process piping
Structural analysis and mechanical substantiation
Advanced manufacturing environments
New facility development or major facility upgrades
Additional strengths include:
Experience with high-temperature environments above approximately 2000°F
Transient heat transfer analysis
Cooling method design
High-temperature materials such as superalloys, ceramics, or thermal barrier coatings
Understanding of subsonic, supersonic, or hypersonic aerodynamics
Experience with FMEA, HAZOP, safety risk assessments, or similar risk analysis methods
Ability to lead or contribute to customer-facing design reviews
Experience supporting technical proposal development
What Makes You Successful
You are a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving problems that require both technical depth and practical judgment.
You understand how to move a design from concept to analysis, documentation, fabrication, and installation. You are comfortable working with designers, project managers, vendors, and technical teams to keep projects moving while maintaining quality and accuracy.
You take ownership of your work, communicate clearly, and enjoy being part of a team that is building complex systems where details matter.
Why This Opportunity?
Work on highly custom mechanical systems and one-of-a-kind equipment
Support advanced wind tunnel, aerospace, and complex test facility projects
Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams
Use modern design and analysis tools including 3D CAD and FEA
Gain exposure to design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning
Contribute to a growing organization with technically challenging project work
Play a meaningful role in new facility development and major system upgrades
Ideal Candidate
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Design Engineer
Structural Mechanical Engineer
Systems Engineer
Aerospace Mechanical Engineer
FEA Engineer
Mechanical Project Engineer
Pressure Vessel Engineer
Piping Engineer
Process Equipment Engineer
Test Systems Engineer
Industrial Equipment Engineer
Ready to Engineer Something That Has Never Been Built Before?
If you are a Mechanical Engineer who enjoys complex design work, detailed analysis, and supporting custom mechanical systems from concept through installation, we would like to connect with you. This is an opportunity to work on challenging projects where your engineering decisions directly impact performance, safety, and successful project delivery.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Paul, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/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 hybrid position in Saint Paul,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.
