Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical EngineerJob Description

This role offers the opportunity to contribute across both research and development and production engineering teams. You will design and develop steel-based mechanical products, support new product development from concept through manufacturing, and collaborate closely with shop personnel to prototype and test innovative solutions. The position combines hands-on work on the shop floor with detailed 3D design and documentation, making it ideal for someone who enjoys both practical problem-solving and structured engineering work.

Responsibilities

• Support both research and development and production engineering teams by providing mechanical design expertise for steel-based products and components.
• Lead research and development activities from a process standpoint, guiding projects through concept, design, prototyping, testing, and design for manufacturing.
• Create detailed 3D models and engineering drawings using SolidWorks, ensuring accurate and comprehensive documentation even when work is repetitive or highly detailed.
• Develop and maintain design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and technical reports, to support manufacturing, testing, and product lifecycle management.
• Collaborate closely with shop personnel to build and refine prototypes, incorporating feedback from operators and welders into design improvements.
• Perform and support mechanical testing activities, which may include high potential (high pot) testing, mechanical operations testing, and heat rise testing, to validate design performance and safety.
• Apply design for manufacturing (DFM) principles to ensure designs are efficient to produce, cost-effective, and compatible with existing steel fabrication and welding processes.
• Interpret and apply welding symbols and related standards in drawings to ensure clarity for fabrication and alignment with welding best practices.
• Utilize geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to define critical dimensions, tolerances, and functional relationships in designs.
• Contribute to new product development projects such as progressive springs (kern coils and new spring configurations) and multi-bottle vacuum interrupters, ensuring designs meet functional and performance requirements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and drafting teams to resolve design issues, improve manufacturability, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with engineers, drafters, operators, and welders to align on design intent, address issues quickly, and maintain strong cross-functional relationships.
• Respect and incorporate institutional knowledge from experienced operators and welders into design decisions and process improvements.
• Participate in ongoing R&D efforts by proposing design concepts, evaluating alternatives, and documenting test results and design changes.

Essential Skills

• Mechanical engineering experience with a focus on mechanical design and steel fabrication.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D design, modeling, and creation of detailed engineering drawings.
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM) and the ability to design components that are practical and efficient to fabricate.
• Background in test engineering, including planning and supporting mechanical testing activities.
• Hands-on experience working with steel and familiarity with welding processes and weld symbols.
• Ability to lead or coordinate research and development efforts from a process perspective.
• Experience in new product development, from concept through prototyping and testing.
• Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and its application in mechanical drawings.
• Comfort working on the shop floor and performing hands-on tasks, including close collaboration with operators and welders.
• Strong documentation skills, including writing technical documentation, specifications, and test reports.
• Respect for and willingness to learn from the institutional knowledge of operators, welders, and other shop personnel.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with engineers, drafters, and production staff.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in R&D engineering, particularly in mechanical or manufacturing-focused environments.
• Exposure to progressive spring design, including kern coils and development of new spring configurations.
• Experience with vacuum interrupter design or similar complex mechanical assemblies.
• Background in manufacturing engineering with a focus on steel fabrication and welded assemblies.
• Experience supporting both R&D and production environments, balancing innovation with practical manufacturing needs.
• Ability to manage repetitive or detailed design and documentation tasks with accuracy and consistency.
• Interest in converting from contract to full-time employment based on performance and mutual fit.

Work Environment

The role is based in a relaxed environment with a small, collaborative engineering team. Engineers, drafters, operators, and welders maintain strong communication, creating a culture where feedback flows easily and design decisions reflect real-world manufacturing experience. You will spend a meaningful portion of your time on the shop floor, working directly with steel fabrication and welding operations and engaging in hands-on prototyping and testing. The team values strong culture, open communication, and respect for institutional knowledge, offering an environment where contributions are visible and impactful. There is potential for a contract position to convert to a full-time role based on performance and organizational needs.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $43.00/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 Forest Grove,OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 19, 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.