Machine Designer

Actalent is seeking a Machine Design Engineer to design custom industrial equipment from concept through completion, primarily using SolidWorks. This role owns the complete design lifecycle, collaborates with project managers and customers, and ensures equipment is functional, ergonomic, serviceable, and ready for runoff at the customer’s facility.

Responsibilities

• Design custom industrial equipment and machinery from scratch using SolidWorks, creating detailed 3D models and drawings.
• Detail, check, and validate your own engineering work and, when needed, review and check the work of others for accuracy and completeness.
• Collaborate with project managers and customers from initial design concept through completion and runoff on the customer’s floor, ensuring requirements are fully met.
• Contribute to the manufacturing design process by working closely with Estimating, Controls, and Project Management teams to develop robust design concepts.
• Own and manage the complete design lifecycle responsibilities of assigned projects, from concept development to final documentation.
• Apply GD&T principles to develop effective fixturing solutions for parts used in assembly processes.
• Incorporate machine ergonomics, serviceability, and maintenance considerations into all designs to improve usability and long-term performance.
• Engineer structural components and validate designs using finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure strength, durability, and safety.
• Specify and select appropriate drive systems, actuators, sensors, motors, and related components that meet performance and cost requirements.
• Lead projects by defining what needs to be accomplished and proposing what the equipment and systems should look like to achieve project goals.
• Develop designs for a variety of applications, such as automotive component assembly (e.g., metal seat structures, palletization, spot welding, adhesive dispensing, screw driving) and consumer washing machine assembly (e.g., metal bending, snapping components together, fastener installation).
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and aligned with project schedules.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, and bills of materials, in accordance with company standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• At least 3 years of experience designing custom equipment from scratch.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling and detailed mechanical design.
• Hands-on experience with machine design and custom equipment design in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to specify and select drive systems, actuators, sensors, motors, and related mechanical and electromechanical components.
• Understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) for developing accurate and functional fixturing and assemblies.
• Ability to engineer structural components and validate designs using finite element analysis (FEA).
• Project management capabilities, including planning, organizing, and driving projects from concept through completion.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects by defining objectives and proposing effective design solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to check and validate engineering drawings and models.

Skills

• Experience designing equipment for automotive component assembly, including palletization, spot welding, adhesive dispensing, and screw driving.
• Experience designing assembly equipment for consumer products such as washing machines, including metal bending, snap-fit assemblies, and fastener installation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Estimating, Controls, and Project Management.
• Strong communication skills for working directly with customers throughout the design and runoff process.
• Ability to balance ergonomics, serviceability, and maintenance requirements with performance and cost considerations.
• Comfort working on multiple projects and managing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing and engineering environment with a typical start time between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. and a weekly schedule of approximately 48–52 hours. You will work closely with project managers, controls engineers, and estimating teams, using SolidWorks and standard engineering tools to design and support custom equipment. The environment is focused on collaboration, hands-on problem-solving, and seeing projects through to customer runoff.

The position offers 2 weeks of paid time off and 6 paid holidays, reflecting a culture that values both hard work and time to recharge.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $34.00 - $37.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on 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:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 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

Schedule

This is a Contract to Hire position based in Grand Rapids, MI, with a fully onsite work arrangement.