Mechanical Designer

Job Title: Mechanical Designer

Job Description

The Mechanical Designer supports multiple engineering programs in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment, working closely with 2-3 engineers across radar, pod, and related hardware projects. This role focuses heavily on concept design, 3D modeling, and rapid prototyping, while also contributing to sustaining engineering activities. The Mechanical Designer acts as a technical resource to the team, mentoring junior designers and helping ensure high-quality, flight-ready mechanical designs.

Responsibilities

• Support 2-3 engineers across multiple programs, including radar, pods, and other aerospace and defense hardware initiatives.
• Work concurrently on 1-4 programs, effectively managing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Drive concept design activities, translating requirements and ideas into feasible mechanical design concepts.
• Create detailed 3D models using Siemens NX to support product development, prototyping, and production.
• Contribute to rapid prototyping efforts with a focus on speed and functionality, operating in a less documentation-heavy environment while maintaining design integrity.
• Support sustaining engineering by updating, improving, and maintaining existing mechanical designs and products.
• Apply extensive Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles to ensure manufacturability, fit, and function of parts and assemblies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to review designs, address technical issues, and implement design changes as needed.
• Utilize Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, with a strong preference for Teamcenter, to manage design data, revisions, and configurations.
• Mentor and train junior and entry-level designers, providing guidance on best practices, tools, and standards.
• Serve as a team resource for mechanical design, CAD tools, and GD&T, supporting colleagues across multiple engineering teams.
• Participate in daily and weekly project briefings with leadership to review progress, align on priorities, and plan upcoming work.
• Ensure designs meet aerospace and defense standards and are suitable for flight hardware and related applications.
• Collaborate with other CAD users and engineering disciplines to integrate mechanical designs into larger systems and assemblies.

Essential Skills

• Extensive mechanical design experience with a strong focus on concept development, 3D modeling, and prototyping.
• Proficiency in Siemens NX CAD software, with the ability to create detailed parts, assemblies, and drawings.
• Extensive experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and its application to complex mechanical designs.
• Strong experience working within Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, with Teamcenter strongly preferred.
• Background in aerospace and defense, with experience designing for flight hardware or flight products highly preferred.
• Ability to work across multiple programs simultaneously and manage shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Experience mentoring or training junior designers and acting as a technical resource within a design team.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and cross-functional teams through regular project briefings and design reviews.
• Eligibility to work on ITAR-controlled programs as a U.S. citizen and ability to obtain or hold necessary clearances.
• Associate's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience; a Bachelor's degree is also accepted.
• Openness to candidates with Mechanical Engineering degrees, provided their experience aligns with a design-focused role.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of mechanical design experience for mid-level candidates.
• 10+ years of mechanical design experience for senior-level candidates.
• Experience with additional CAD tools such as Creo and SolidWorks, in addition to the required Siemens NX.
• Demonstrated experience in aerospace and defense (A&D) environments, including work on flight hardware or flight products.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, less-documentation-heavy prototyping environment while maintaining quality standards.
• Strong communication skills for effectively mentoring junior team members and coordinating with multiple engineering teams.

Work Environment

The Mechanical Designer works within a design team of approximately 10 people that includes senior, mid-level, and entry-level designers. The role supports multiple engineering teams, offering a broader scope of work than many traditional design positions. Daily and weekly project briefings provide structure and alignment, while the overall environment emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and rapid iteration. The team uses Siemens NX as the primary CAD tool and relies on PLM systems such as Teamcenter to manage design data and configurations. Work centers on aerospace and defense products, including radar systems, pods, and flight hardware, creating an environment that is technically challenging and highly impactful.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $71000.00 - $109885.00/yr.

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 hybrid position in Poway,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 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.