Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

The Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for designing custom order machines and equipment. The role involves supporting legacy equipment and making necessary edits and changes. The engineer will prepare working plans and detailed drawings of machine parts, plan, design, and coordinate the integration of machinery and equipment into manufacturing processes. Design requirements include reverse engineering customer parts and using feedback on deficits and desired improvements to enhance components through material changes, layout alterations, or redesigns. The engineer may also be tasked with creating new systems or components to meet specific industry needs. This mid-level position requires proficiency in designing and troubleshooting complex mechanical functions independently.

Responsibilities:

• Work as a project team member to take client requirements from concept to fully functional, production-ready custom machines.
• Design, quote, implement, and troubleshoot custom industrial machines and automation.
• Create layouts, component, and assembly drawings using SolidWorks.
• Perform equipment and system calculations.
• Develop and perform hands-on proof of concept tests.
• Assist Controls Engineers in developing custom industrial motion control and process control systems.
• Assist with motor and field device selection.
• Design, select, layout, and draw mechanisms and components.
• Compile and document bills of materials.
• Document all project phases and create a final as-built documentation package.
• Check detail and assembly drawings prior to manufacture.
• Oversee project manufacturing process, vendors, assembly, and testing.
• Assist with Factory Acceptance Testing.
• Assist with installation, startup, and Site Acceptance Testing as needed.
• Adhere to quality standards, schedule, and budget constraints.
• Create build drawings for use in fabricating, machining, and assembly of components.
• Communicate effectively with machine and fabrication shops on build procedures and make revisions as necessary.
• Visit customer locations for field application, measurements, and verifications.
• Interpret drawings supplied by customers and/or sales representatives.
• Complete drawings and other computer-based tasks, which may require long hours of sitting.

Essential Skills:

• Engineering Degree
• 5+ years experience designing custom automated equipment/machines (4 years if with a 4-year co-op college like Kettering)
• Proficient in SolidWorks
• Experience designing in 2D prints
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, prints, fabrication, sheet metal, and machine design

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Machine Design experience
• Understanding of pneumatics
• Fabrication experience
• Experience integrating full-motion servo controls with RS Logix 5000 for pneumatics

Work Environment:

This role requires on-site presence every day, working under the direction of the Engineering Manager and lead mechanical engineers within a small team of four. Work hours are 8-4 with some flexibility. The company is a global leader in the food portioning industry, manufacturing automated food process and cutting equipment. The facility spans 80,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet dedicated to office space and 70,000 square feet to storage and assembly. The manufacturing area is located near the rear of the plant. Dress code varies from casual to business casual depending on the day. Benefits include autonomy in the role, 10 days PTO, 6 paid holidays, and access to Udemy after six months of employment.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of South Haven, Michigan.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.66 - $40.00/hr.

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 South Haven, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2025.

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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.