Mechanical Design Engineer - Entry Level

Job Title: Junior Mechanical Design EngineerJob Description

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a recent mechanical engineering graduate or early-career professional to develop strong product and mechanical design skills while working alongside experienced engineers. You will contribute to the design and development of innovative products and systems, using modern 3D CAD tools and applying core mechanical engineering principles. The position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving technical challenges, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and growing into a well-rounded mechanical design engineer.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain accurate 3D models, assemblies, and detailed engineering drawings using 3D CAD software.
• Support product design and development activities from concept through release, including new product development and design updates.
• Assist with engineering change activities by updating models, drawings, and documentation in accordance with established procedures.
• Participate actively in design reviews and contribute to the development of practical, manufacturable engineering solutions.
• Perform basic tolerance analysis and support the selection of appropriate materials and manufacturing processes.
• Assess designs for manufacturability, assembly, and cost, and recommend improvements where needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality, supply chain, project engineering, and testing, to ensure designs meet requirements.
• Support testing, validation, and troubleshooting activities by reviewing test results and assisting in resolving design-related issues.
• Prepare clear engineering documentation, reports, and technical presentations to communicate design intent and project status.
• Ensure all designs meet defined performance, safety, quality, and cost requirements, and comply with relevant standards and internal guidelines.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Recent engineering graduate or up to 2 years of relevant mechanical design or product development experience.
• Hands-on experience through internships, co-op programs, capstone projects, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, robotics, or similar engineering activities.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, NX, or similar tools.
• Basic understanding of mechanical design principles, including GD&T, manufacturing processes, and interpretation of engineering drawings.
• Fundamental knowledge of new product development processes and mechanical design workflows.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to real-world design challenges.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute positively to cross-functional projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience specifically with SolidWorks or CATIA for mechanical design and modeling.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD for 2D drafting and legacy drawing support.
• Exposure to sheet metal design, assemblies, and related manufacturing considerations.
• Experience with robotics, competition teams, or other hands-on engineering projects that demonstrate practical design skills.
• Coursework or project experience in mechanical design, CAD, and engineering graphics.
• Interest in learning and adopting CATIA as a primary CAD platform if currently proficient in another 3D CAD tool.
• Ability to prepare and deliver technical presentations to peers and stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality engineering documentation.

Work Environment

The role is part of a collaborative engineering team that focuses on designing and developing mechanical products and systems. You will work primarily in an office or lab environment using 3D CAD tools such as CATIA and SolidWorks, as well as other engineering software for documentation and analysis. The position involves close interaction with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and testing teams, providing exposure to the full product lifecycle from concept to production. The work includes a mix of computer-based design tasks, participation in design reviews, and occasional support of testing or validation activities in lab or shop settings. Standard business hours typically apply, with additional flexibility depending on project needs. The environment emphasizes learning, mentorship, and professional growth for early-career engineers.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Savannah, GA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $36.00/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 Savannah,GA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 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.