Job Title: Mechanical Designer
Job Description
This Mechanical Designer role focuses on sheet metal design for finishing systems, with an emphasis on creating accurate 2D and 3D models, detailed manufacturing drawings, and collaborating closely with engineering and project teams. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to a growing design and manufacturing operation, work with advanced metal fabrication and finishing processes, and develop toward an engineering-level role over time.
Responsibilities
- Design sheet metal components and assemblies for finishing systems, ensuring structural integrity, manufacturability, and aesthetic quality.
- Create precise 2D and 3D models using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, with SolidWorks preferred for 3D design work.
- Prepare detailed manufacturing documentation and drawings that clearly define dimensions, tolerances, materials, and finishing requirements.
- Collaborate with engineers and project managers to understand project goals, refine design concepts, and deliver solutions that meet performance and cost targets.
- Utilize product data management tools, including Autodesk Vault, to organize, track, and maintain design files and documentation.
- Apply parametric modeling and design automation techniques to improve design efficiency, consistency, and scalability across product lines.
- Optimize product aesthetics and functionality, incorporating considerations such as powder coating finishes and overall visual design.
- Manage design projects from concept through production, including design iteration, review, and support during fabrication and assembly.
- Support HVAC and finishing system design efforts, integrating mechanical components into broader system layouts when required.
- Engage with the manufacturing floor to review prototypes and production units, gather feedback, and implement design improvements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the design and manufacturing team, sharing best practices and helping refine design standards.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience as a mechanical designer specializing in sheet metal design for finishing systems or related applications.
- Proficiency in Autodesk Inventor for 3D modeling and design of mechanical components and assemblies.
- Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD for 2D drafting and layout of mechanical designs.
- Ability to create detailed manufacturing drawings and documentation, including dimensions, tolerances, materials, and finish specifications.
- Experience designing sheet metal components and assemblies, including understanding of fabrication processes and constraints.
- Background in powder coating and related finishing processes, with the ability to incorporate these requirements into designs.
- Familiarity with product data management tools, particularly Autodesk Vault, for managing design files and revisions.
- Comfort working with parametric modeling and design automation to streamline design workflows.
- Associates-level or BS-level education in a relevant field such as mechanical design, mechanical engineering technology, or similar.
- Experience designing within Inventor or SolidWorks, with SolidWorks preferred for 3D design work.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, project managers, and manufacturing personnel.
- Willingness and ability to work onsite and interact directly with the product on the manufacturing floor.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Familiarity with design automation techniques to reduce repetitive tasks and improve design consistency.
- Understanding of powder coating processes and their impact on material selection, tolerances, and product aesthetics.
- Interest in growing from a designer role into an engineering-level position over time, with a long-term commitment to the design discipline.
- Comfort working within a metal fabrication and manufacturing environment and engaging with cross-functional teams.
Work Environment
This role is based onsite in a large, modern facility that combines office and manufacturing spaces. You will work in an office setting alongside the engineering team for design, collaboration, and project work, and regularly spend time on the manufacturing floor to get hands-on with products, review prototypes, and support production. The facility includes multiple spray booths capable of handling projects ranging from automotive components to aerospace and defense sector applications such as aircraft parts. The environment is fast-paced and growth-oriented, with an established design and manufacturing team and increasing demand for new work and projects.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Vancouver, WA.
Pay And Benefits
The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $35.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Vancouver,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 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.
