R&d Engineer

R&D Mechanical Engineer

The R&D Mechanical Engineer will support the development of advanced battery power module technology, focusing on mechanical design, thermal/fluid performance, structural integrity, reliability, and cost. This role involves hands-on design, analysis, testing, and validation of hardware from concept through production. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and is motivated by sustainability and cutting-edge energy technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of stack and subsystem hardware (manifolds, flow fields, plates, frames, enclosures, seals) using 3D CAD and formal design controls (models, drawings, specs, BOMs, GD&T).
• Perform and interpret FEA/CFD to optimize thermal, fluid, and structural performance under pressure, temperature, vibration, and thermal cycling.
• Design for manufacturability, assembly, and reliability (DFM/DFA/DFR) across machining, casting, plastics, and sealing processes.
• Select and qualify materials for corrosive and electrolyte-exposed environments; address creep, fatigue, and lifecycle performance.
• Develop and execute test and validation plans; correlate test results to models and drive design improvements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver cost-effective, production-ready designs while maintaining safety, quality, and compliance.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing complex fluid, thermal, or electrochemical systems.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Inventor, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics, with hands-on FEA/CFD experience.
• Experience creating detailed drawings using GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and defining CTQ/CTF features.
• Experience with corrosive fluids and hermetic sealing methods (welds, adhesives, gaskets).
• Proven ability to take designs from concept through validation and production.
• Strong communication skills; self-directed and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and comply with safety/PPE requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Mechanical, Materials, Energy Systems, or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience with batteries, fuel cells, or power-generation systems.
• Multiphysics modeling and test correlation (ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Experience scaling hardware from prototype to production.
• Plastics, pressure-bound assemblies, and CNC/machining experience.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wilsonville, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/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 Wilsonville, OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 29, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.