Mechanical Project Engineer

The Mechanical Project Engineer designs and delivers material handling solutions, including conveyor systems and related machinery, for complex manufacturing and industrial facilities. This role takes facility requirements and translates them into practical, scalable engineering designs that add capacity, retrofit existing areas for new equipment, or reconfigure current equipment layouts. The engineer develops site layouts, defines project scope, prepares RFPs, collaborates with vendors on site selection, and leads the engineering design through to execution handoff, while traveling to facilities up to 50% of the time for site visits.

• Design material handling equipment such as conveyor belts and related machinery to meet specific facility requirements.
• Translate business and operational needs into detailed engineering solutions that add capacity, retrofit inbound and production areas, or rearrange existing equipment within the facility.
• Develop site layouts and create comprehensive scopes of work for assigned projects.
• Prepare and write requests for proposals (RFPs) and support the vendor selection process, including site selection activities.
• Lead engineering design efforts from concept through detailed design and handoff to execution teams.
• Perform on-site assessments of existing material handling equipment and systems to determine whether to design new solutions or integrate add-ons to current equipment.
• Apply mechanical and electromechanical design principles to equipment and machine design, including components such as bearings, shafts, motors, and conveyor systems.
• Determine appropriate motor sizes, conveyor speeds, and equipment specifications based on product weight, throughput requirements, and material flow characteristics.
• Utilize AutoCAD 2D and SolidWorks to create and modify detailed engineering drawings and models for equipment and systems.
• Manage projects using established project management practices, ensuring milestones and deadlines are met according to key performance indicators.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, vendors, and facility stakeholders to align designs with operational, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Support line implementations, retrofits, and equipment launches, particularly in automation or manufacturing environments.
• Document designs, changes, and engineering decisions clearly for use by execution teams and for future reference.
• Participate in regular site visits (up to 50% travel) to gather requirements, validate designs, and oversee aspects of implementation as needed.
• Adhere to engineering standards, best practices, and facility guidelines while continuously seeking opportunities to improve system performance and material flow.

• Bachelors degree in engineering, preferably in mechanical, industrial, electrical, or manufacturing engineering.
• 57 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial design engineering, with a strong focus on equipment or machine design.
• Hands-on mechanical design experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting, beyond purely project management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in designing material handling equipment, including conveyor systems and related machinery.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD 2D for creating and modifying engineering drawings.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and mechanical design.
• Experience with automation, material handling systems, and material flow design.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, organize, and deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Ability to design electromechanical equipment components, such as bearings, shafts, and motors, and to size equipment based on performance requirements.
• Capability to analyze and define equipment speed, strength, and capacity based on product weight, throughput, and system constraints.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% of the time for site visits, typically 13 days at a time during weekdays.

• Experience with upstream and downstream impacts of changing components within systems engineering, ensuring machines function effectively together rather than as isolated units.
• Background in designing new layouts of equipment or retrofits for line implementations or production launches, particularly in automation or manufacturing environments.
• Experience adding capacity or retrofitting inbound areas for new equipment and rearranging existing equipment to optimize material flow.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess current material handling systems and determine whether to design new solutions or integrate modifications.
• Ability to work effectively with vendors and cross-functional teams to align design solutions with operational and business objectives.
• Comfort working in a hybrid environment that blends design work, site visits, and collaboration with engineering and operations teams.
• Adaptability to evolving project priorities and willingness to take on a variety of design challenges across different types of equipment and facilities.

This role operates within a hybrid work model, with a typical schedule of three days in the office and two days remote, after an initial period where the engineer is expected to be onsite up to five days per week to integrate with the team and learn facility operations. There is potential for a return-to-office schedule of five days per week in the future. The position is structured as an 11-month contract initially. At the end of this period, the engineer may be evaluated for a full-time role through a formal interview process, extended for up to an additional 13 months to allow time for a full-time role to open, or supported in finding alternative opportunities with other departments or local customers if the contract is not extended. The engineer works closely with industrial design leadership and cross-functional teams, using tools such as AutoCAD 2D and SolidWorks to design equipment and systems. The environment involves frequent collaboration with vendors and facility stakeholders, as well as regular travel for site visits (up to 50% of the time, typically weekdays, with no weekend travel required). The culture emphasizes professional growth, exposure to large-scale operations, and access to competitive benefits and stock programs upon conversion to a permanent role.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $65.00/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 hybrid position in Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 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 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.