Senior Design Engineer

Job Title: Lead Design Engineer

Job Description

The Lead Design Engineer leads program-level design and prototype fabrication of axles and chassis for both aftermarket and original equipment applications. This role supports new product introductions as well as the redesign and maintenance of existing product lines. The Design Engineer applies standard structural analysis and 3D modeling techniques to develop innovative solutions that meet customer program requirements. In addition, this position manages and executes design programs within the engineering department, including schedule, budget, scope, and overall delivery. The Design Engineer mentors other design engineers and drives a fast-paced project team to take solutions from concept through prototyping and into production.

Responsibilities

• Lead program-level designs for axles and chassis, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and industry standards.
• Drive prototype fabrication activities from concept through prototyping and into production for aftermarket and original equipment applications.
• Support new product rollouts by developing designs, coordinating engineering activities, and ensuring successful launch.
• Redesign and maintain existing product lines to improve performance, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Utilize standard structural analyses and 3D modeling to develop innovative solutions that meet customer program needs.
• Manage design programs within the engineering department, including program schedule planning, tracking, and on-time delivery.
• Oversee program budgets and ensure design activities remain within approved financial parameters.
• Define and control program scope, ensuring all design requirements are captured, documented, and executed effectively.
• Execute design programs from initial concept through detailed design, validation, and release to production.
• Mentor and guide design engineers, providing technical direction and supporting their professional development.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure program design activities, goals, and targets are completed on time and within budget.
• Apply DFMEA methodologies to identify, analyze, and mitigate potential failure modes in designs.
• Perform GD&T analysis to ensure proper tolerancing, fit, and function of components and assemblies.
• Conduct stack-up analyses to verify dimensional compatibility and robust assembly performance.
• Use 3D CAD tools, primarily SolidWorks, to create detailed models, assemblies, and drawings for manufacturing and validation.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams to ensure designs are feasible, efficient, and aligned with plant capabilities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance design quality, reliability, and manufacturability.

Essential Skills

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field with appropriate experience.
• At least 5 years of experience as a Design Engineer or in a similar mechanical design role.
• Strong mechanical design skills with a focus on axles, chassis, or related structural components.
• Proficiency in performing stack-up analyses to ensure proper fit and function of assemblies.
• Hands-on experience conducting DFMEA to assess and mitigate design risks.
• Proven ability to perform GD&T analysis and apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing principles to drawings.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software; SolidWorks is the primary package used, though experience with other 3D CAD tools is considered.
• Ability to lead design programs, including schedule, budget, and scope management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in structural analysis and mechanical systems.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working within cross-functional engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support other engineers within a project team.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on designs for aftermarket and original equipment manufacturers.
• Experience in structural analysis and modeling for mechanical systems.
• Exposure to high-volume manufacturing environments, including robotic and manual assembly processes.
• Experience designing products for powersport, agricultural, or industrial equipment markets.
• Ability to manage multiple design programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills for tracking program deliverables, documentation, and engineering changes.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite at a manufacturing plant in Indiana that produces glass and windshields for various original equipment manufacturers, particularly within the powersport and equipment sectors. The facility includes office space for engineering and administrative work, as well as a manufacturing floor featuring robotic assembly lines, hand assembly lines, and metal bending and forming operations. The Lead Design Engineer collaborates closely with production and operations teams, spending time both in the office and on the manufacturing floor to support design implementation and problem-solving. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on precision manufacturing, quality, and safety.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Yoder, IN.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $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)

This is a fully onsite position in Yoder,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.