Job Title: Mechanical Design EngineerJob DescriptionThis role focuses on designing and documenting mechanical components for advanced aerospace fuel system and control applications. You will work as part of a collaborative engineering team to create 3D models and detailed drawings, support new product introduction (NPI) activities, and help optimize designs for manufacturability and assembly. The position emphasizes high-quality design work for housings, valves, advanced fuel pumping and metering systems, and servo valve technologies, with a strong focus on mechanical aptitude, problem solving, and manufacturing knowledge.
Responsibilities
- Create new mechanical component designs and associated design documentation for aerospace fuel system and control applications.
- Develop detailed 3D models and engineering drawings using parametric-based CAD software, specifically CREO, for fuel system components such as housings, valves, pumps, metering devices, and servo valves.
- Apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and relevant internal or industry standards to define and control component and assembly designs.
- Perform dimensional stack-up studies to evaluate assembly-level designs and ensure proper fit, function, and manufacturability.
- Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to understand functional and manufacturing challenges and actively participate in problem-solving exercises.
- Work directly on the production floor to provide feedback and input on tooling, fixturing, and automation for high-volume manufacturing lines, including efforts to improve line efficiency and lean performance.
- Contribute to design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) activities to optimize mechanical designs based on manufacturing and assembly processes.
- Support documentation-heavy work, including creating and maintaining drawings, models, GD&T specifications, DFMEA inputs, and other mechanical engineering documentation, which may represent 5060% of the role.
- Use 3D printing capabilities to support prototyping, design validation, and iteration of mechanical components.
- Collaborate closely with a team of engineers and designers, contributing to NPI projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Communicate design intent, technical issues, and proposed solutions clearly to colleagues and stakeholders across various levels of the organization.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to quality, professionalism, and continuous improvement in design and documentation processes.
Essential Skills
- Strong mechanical design experience with emphasis on component and assembly-level design for fuel systems or similar complex mechanical products.
- Proficient 3D CAD skills using parametric-based CAD software, specifically CREO CAD package.
- Experience working with PLM systems, particularly Windchill PLM, for managing models, drawings, and design documentation.
- Expert-level ability to understand and apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) or an international equivalent to mechanical designs.
- Ability to perform dimensional tolerance stack-up analyses in conjunction with a team to ensure robust assembly performance.
- Direct involvement in design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) activities within manufacturing environments.
- Advanced understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes and how to optimize designs based on competing inputs from these processes.
- Understanding of fundamental engineering principles, including heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and material strength.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills, particularly in the context of NPI and production environments.
- Demonstrated commitment to quality and professionalism, with the ability to identify and drive continuous improvement activities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization and external customers.
- Proven ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment and reinforce positive teamwork.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience as a mechanical designer or drafter; candidates with strong drafting background are highly valued.
- Ability to perform low-level FEA or CFD using CAD-integrated tools is a plus.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing lines and participating in events aimed at making assembly lines more lean and efficient.
- Familiarity with draft tools and statistical tolerance concepts, even if not at black belt level.
- Experience contributing to DFMEA or similar risk analysis and documentation activities.
- 3D printing experience for prototyping and design validation.
- Bachelors degree in engineering is not required; relevant technical experience and proficiency with CAD and documentation tools are strongly considered.
- Interest in next-generation aerospace fuel control applications and fuel system technologies.
Work EnvironmentThis is an onsite role based in Fort Collins, working in an engineering and production environment five days per week. You will spend significant time collaborating with engineers and designers in an office and lab setting, as well as working directly on the manufacturing floor to support high-volume production lines. The work involves regular use of CREO CAD software, Windchill PLM, and 3D printing equipment, along with standard engineering tools for documentation and analysis. The environment emphasizes teamwork, continuous improvement, and close interaction between design and manufacturing functions, offering opportunities to influence tooling, fixturing, automation, and line efficiency in a hands-on setting. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Collins, CO. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $70.00/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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fort Collins, CO. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Fort Collins,CO.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.
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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.