Test Hardware Design Engineer

Actalent is seeking a Test Hardware Design Engineer to design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling for verifying and validating complex products in aerospace and defense environments.

About the role

This position focuses on creating robust, safe, and efficient test hardware that supports environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing. The role involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams and is primarily based onsite in Nashua, NH, with potential for limited hybrid flexibility. The organization follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling to support product verification and validation activities.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and complete fabrication packages for test hardware and related components.
• Design hardware used for environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing to meet program requirements.
• Develop mounting solutions for sensors, instrumentation, data acquisition equipment, and test articles to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
• Perform structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses to confirm that test hardware meets performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Support laboratory, manufacturing, and qualification test activities by providing technical guidance on test hardware usage and configuration.
• Coordinate fabrication, assembly, and installation of test equipment with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure timely delivery and integration.
• Develop design concepts that promote safe, repeatable, and efficient testing processes in alignment with engineering best practices.
• Troubleshoot test hardware issues and failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions and design improvements.
• Support prototype development and rapid design iterations to meet evolving test requirements and program schedules.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and test engineers to integrate instrumentation, automation systems, and data acquisition hardware into test setups.
• Participate in design reviews and technical assessments, presenting test hardware concepts, analyses, and design decisions.
• Support root cause investigations and failure analysis activities by contributing mechanical and test hardware expertise.
• Ensure that test hardware designs consider manufacturability, maintainability, and compatibility with existing test infrastructure.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 3–8+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably in test equipment, fixtures, or related hardware.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, or CATIA for modeling and detailing mechanical components and assemblies.
• Experience creating detailed engineering drawings and assemblies suitable for fabrication and inspection.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Hands-on experience designing mechanical fixtures, tooling, or test equipment used in laboratory or production environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, including structural mechanics, materials selection, fastener design, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to support hardware through the full lifecycle from concept development through fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Experience working with mechanical and hardware design for test equipment, electronic packaging, and electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with test fixtures and test equipment used in aerospace or similar high-reliability applications.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams, including electrical, software, systems, and test engineering.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot mechanical and test hardware issues.
• Ability to coordinate with fabrication and assembly teams to ensure designs are practical and manufacturable.

Additional Qualifications

• Background in aerospace or mechanical engineering environments with exposure to test hardware for complex systems.
• Experience with electronic packaging, PCB-related mechanical design, and integration of RF or electronic systems into mechanical test fixtures.
• Familiarity with electromechanical systems and their mechanical integration in test stands and support equipment.
• Experience supporting environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing programs.
• Comfort working on multi-disciplinary projects involving radar, sensor technologies, autonomous platforms, space systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced communications or intelligence systems.
• Interest in working on mission-driven programs that support national security, aerospace, defense, intelligence, cyber, and space initiatives.
• Desire to participate in ongoing technical training, leadership development, and cross-functional career paths.
• Ability to work on large-scale, multi-year programs and contribute to long-term hardware and test infrastructure development.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $110.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, and internal equity.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include:

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

Schedule

This role operates on a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off.