Mechanical Systems Engineer

Mechanical Systems Engineer

Build the Next Generation of Autonomous Systems

Are you passionate about designing mission-critical hardware that performs flawlessly in some of the world"s most demanding environments? Join an innovative defense technology company revolutionizing autonomous systems across air, land, sea, and space. This organization is redefining how advanced technology supports national security by combining cutting-edge software, artificial intelligence, and world-class engineering to develop rapidly deployable solutions for complex global challenges.

As a Mechanical Systems Engineer, you"ll play a key role in developing a groundbreaking autonomous underwater vehicle platform from a clean-sheet design. This is a rare opportunity to own critical hardware systems from concept through qualification while working in a fast-paced prototype environment where your designs have immediate impact.

What You"ll Do

• Design and develop actuated payload mechanisms including deployment systems, release mechanisms, doors, latches, hinges, and locking systems.
• Own the complete mechanism development lifecycle from concept generation through qualification and production readiness.
• Select and integrate actuators, motors, gearboxes, and drive systems for demanding applications.
• Perform kinematic studies, load analyses, and tolerance stack-up evaluations.
• Create detailed engineering drawings, GD&T specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Conduct failure mode investigations and root cause analysis to drive robust designs.
• Plan and execute physical testing, environmental validation, and life-cycle qualification activities.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to rapidly iterate and mature designs.

What We"re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor"s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of hands-on mechanical design and engineering experience.
• Strong background in mechanism design and actuation systems.
• Experience selecting and integrating motors, actuators, gearboxes, and motion-control hardware.
• Proven success taking hardware from concept through build, testing, and qualification.
• Strong analytical skills with experience performing structural and load analyses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in deployment and release mechanisms.
• Experience with latches, doors, hinges, locking mechanisms, or separation systems.
• Aerospace, spaceflight, defense, robotics, or autonomous vehicle experience.
• Familiarity with spacecraft deployment systems and high-reliability mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturability.
• Experience with environmental qualification, reliability testing, and life-cycle validation.
• Underwater, subsea, marine, or harsh-environment actuation experience.
• Ability to thrive in a rapid design-build-test environment.

Why You"ll Love This Opportunity

• Significant engineering ownership and decision-making authority.
• Work on a new platform rather than maintaining legacy products.
• Direct involvement with prototype builds and hardware testing.
• Collaborate with elite engineers solving highly complex technical challenges.
• Fast-moving environment that rewards innovation, execution, and technical excellence.
• Opportunity to contribute to technologies that have meaningful real-world impact.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite at the company"s advanced prototyping facility in Santa Ana, California. Engineers work shoulder-to-shoulder with design, manufacturing, and test teams in a highly collaborative environment focused on rapid development and continuous innovation. Onsite presence is expected five days per week.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you"re an engineer who enjoys building complex mechanisms, solving difficult technical challenges, and seeing your designs tested and deployed in the real world, we"d love to connect with you.

Apply today to help shape the future of autonomous systems engineering.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $96.00/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 & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Costa Mesa,CA.

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.