Test Hardware Design Engineer (ME)

Actalent is seeking a Test Hardware Design Engineer to design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling for complex aerospace and defense products. This role involves creating robust, safe, and efficient test hardware to support environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling for product verification and validation.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and fabrication packages for test hardware and components.
• Design hardware 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 measurements.
• Perform structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses to confirm 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.
• Develop design concepts that promote safe, repeatable, and efficient testing processes aligned with engineering best practices.
• Troubleshoot test hardware issues, 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, and data acquisition hardware.
• Participate in design reviews and technical assessments, presenting test hardware concepts, analyses, and design decisions.
• Support root cause investigations and failure analysis activities with mechanical and test hardware expertise.
• Ensure 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 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.
• 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 for 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 to fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Experience with mechanical and hardware design for test equipment, electronic packaging, and electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with test fixtures and equipment used in aerospace or high-reliability applications.
• Strong problem-solving skills and 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

• Experience 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 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 multidisciplinary projects involving radar, sensor technologies, autonomous platforms, space systems, cybersecurity, or advanced communications.
• Interest in mission-driven programs supporting national security, aerospace, defense, intelligence, cyber, and space initiatives.
• Desire to participate in 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.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite with potential for limited hybrid flexibility. The position operates in advanced engineering and laboratory environments supporting aerospace, defense, intelligence, cyber, and space programs. Test hardware is developed and used in facilities equipped for environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing. The organization follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off, and offers opportunities to work across multiple U.S. engineering centers.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $110.00 per hour. Individual compensation will depend on qualifications, skills, 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 and AD&D for 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

The organization follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off.