Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Design Engineer plays a key role in the development of packaged equipment, ensuring that all designs meet internal standards, customer requirements, and industry best practices. This role involves extensive collaboration with cross-functional teamsincluding mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and controls engineers, as well as vendors and the supply chain teamto deliver robust, cost-effective, and manufacturable solutions. The engineer serves as a subject matter expert in computer-aided design (CAD), creating parametric 3D models and detailed fabrication drawings while maintaining accurate design documentation within a revision control system.

Responsibilities

• Design complex products and systems for packaged equipment applications, applying advanced mechanical engineering and design principles to meet technical and performance requirements.
• Create parametric 3D models and detailed 2D fabrication drawings, ensuring that all documentation complies with company standards and industry best practices.
• Develop general arrangement drawings, P&IDs, and engineering Bills of Materials (BOMs), and assign part numbers accurately within the ERP system.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in CAD tools, including Inventor and AutoCAD, and support the creation and maintenance of standard design templates and libraries.
• Size and specify valves, pumps, motors, and other components in electromechanical systems to ensure proper performance, reliability, and integration.
• Support manufacturing and procurement teams by clarifying design intent, resolving redlines, and recommending cost-effective and time-saving design improvements without compromising quality.
• Independently plan, prioritize, and manage daily engineering and design tasks to meet project deadlines and deliverables.
• Monitor job costs and schedules, ensuring that engineering work aligns with customer specifications and internal technical standards.
• Create, implement, and maintain engineering standards, procedures, and documentation templates to streamline and standardize design processes.
• Establish and refine standardized design and drafting procedures to improve consistency, efficiency, and quality across projects.
• Collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines, Project Managers, Purchasing, and Service teams to ensure cohesive and successful project execution.
• Review and define engineering scope changes as needed, supporting project management in controlling scope, cost, and schedule.
• Provide technical input and cost estimates to Proposal Managers, including the preparation of proposal-level drawings and design concepts.
• Support new product development initiatives within a manufacturing and packaged equipment environment, contributing innovative and practical design solutions.
• Adhere to all company health and safety policies as they relate to core job functions, both in the office and on the production floor.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer, with a focus on mechanical design and machine or packaged equipment design.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, including P&ID development.
• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Strong proficiency in mechanical design, including design of complex products and systems for manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling and 2D drafting, including parametric modeling and detailed fabrication drawings.
• Experience with product design in a manufacturing or packaged equipment environment.
• Ability to size and specify valves, pumps, motors, and other components in electromechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of GD&T and application of relevant standards such as ANSI.
• Experience creating and managing engineering Bills of Materials (BOMs) and assigning part numbers within an ERP system.
• Strong understanding of engineering, mechanical systems, and design for manufacturability.
• Ability to independently plan and manage engineering tasks, projects, and schedules.
• Solid project management capabilities, including tracking job costs and timelines.
• Proficiency with CAD tools and related design documentation within a revision control system.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with SolidWorks or other 3D CAD platforms in addition to Inventor and AutoCAD.
• Experience working within the water industry or related process industries is beneficial.
• Familiarity with P&ID development for packaged equipment and process systems.
• Experience contributing to new product development initiatives.
• Ability to create and implement engineering standards, procedures, and documentation templates.
• Strong collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, controls, project management, purchasing, and service.
• Ability to provide accurate technical input and cost estimates to support proposals and bids.
• Detail-oriented approach with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and continuous improvement.
• Interest in transitioning to a direct employment opportunity with access to paid time off and holidays after a successful initial period.

Work Environment

This role is based primarily in an office environment, where the engineer spends approximately 70% of the time creating and refining 2D and 3D models, drawings, and documentation using CAD and ERP systems. The remaining 30% of the time is spent on the production floor, working hands-on with manufacturing teams to support build activities, clarify design intent, and resolve issues in real time. The position operates within a multi-discipline engineering team of about five engineers, offering regular interaction with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and controls professionals, particularly within the water industry. Standard office and production-floor tools, computers, and CAD workstations are used daily. After an initial period, there is an opportunity to convert to direct employment, which includes paid time off and paid holidays, contributing to a stable and supportive work environment

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sugar Land, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $51.00 - $55.00/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 fully onsite position in Sugar Land,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 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.