3D Computer Aided Design Engineer Jobs in Washington

Job Title: Mechanical Designer (NX)

Job Description

Join a high-impact engineering team as a Mechanical Designer (NX), creating precise 3D CAD models and engineering drawings for mechanical and electro-mechanical components and assemblies. You will contribute to the design, test, and development of advanced maritime systems and unmanned underwater vehicles, working in accordance with ASME engineering standards and digital product definition practices. This role is fully on-site and offers the opportunity to collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineers in a state-of-the-art waterfront facility.

Responsibilities

• Create accurate 3D CAD models and detailed engineering drawings of mechanical and electro-mechanical components and assemblies using Siemens NX and other CAD tools.
• Develop drawings and documentation in accordance with ASME Y14.100 engineering drawing practices, dimensioning and tolerancing standards, and digital product definition data practices.
• Review and validate engineering drawings and designs for accuracy, manufacturability, and ease of assembly, ensuring they meet internal standards and customer expectations.
• Ensure engineering documents are clear, complete, and consistent so that downstream users receive satisfactory and usable documentation.
• Interface with a multi-disciplined engineering review team to present designs, incorporate feedback, and ensure customer satisfaction with the final design solution.
• Support continuous improvement of mechanical design processes by identifying opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency, and standardization.
• Monitor and understand cost and schedule impacts of design decisions, contributing to projects that meet technical requirements within budget and timeline constraints.
• Apply principles of mechanical and machine design to support the development of complex systems, including components used in vehicles, sonar, radar, and related maritime applications.
• Collaborate effectively in a team environment, sharing knowledge and coordinating work with other engineers, designers, and stakeholders.
• Prioritize and manage multiple design tasks simultaneously, maintaining strong attention to detail and organization throughout the design and documentation process.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of relevant mechanical design experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or 1–2 years of experience with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• An additional 4 years of relevant experience in mechanical design in lieu of a degree.
• 3–5 years of hands-on experience with Siemens NX or SolidWorks for mechanical design and 3D modeling.
• Proficiency in creating 3D CAD models and engineering drawings for mechanical and electro-mechanical components and assemblies.
• Strong understanding of ASME Y14.100 engineering drawing practices, including dimensioning and tolerancing and digital product definition data practices.
• Experience with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and geometric dimensioning principles applied to mechanical designs.
• Ability to review, check, and verify CAD models and drawings for accuracy, manufacturability, and assembly considerations.
• Ability to work fully on-site with no telework option, collaborating in person with engineering and review teams.
• Ability to understand and monitor project cost and schedule, and to consider these factors in design decisions.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills when managing design files, documentation, and multiple tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with additional CAD tools such as Creo, AutoCAD, CATIA, and other solid modeling software.
• Experience or interest in mechanical and machine design, particularly in applications related to vehicles, sonar, radar, and maritime systems.
• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems such as Teamcenter, Enovia, or Windchill.
• Experience working as a checker or drafter, reviewing and validating drawings created by other designers.
• Solid understanding of solid modeling and 3D modeling principles for complex mechanical assemblies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment, contributing ideas and working toward shared design goals.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and manage concurrent tasks while maintaining quality and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills for interfacing with multi-disciplinary engineering teams and participating in design reviews.

Work Environment

This role is based fully on-site in a modern engineering and development facility located on the Chesapeake Bay. The team specializes in the design, test, and development of advanced maritime systems, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) such as the Manta Ray, sonar systems and towed arrays, torpedo systems, torpedo warning systems, and maritime sensor platforms. You will work closely with engineers and designers using tools such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD, and PLM systems like Teamcenter, Enovia, or Windchill. The environment combines office-based design work with access to engineering labs and test areas, offering a collaborative, project-focused atmosphere where precision, innovation, and attention to detail are highly valued.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Annapolis, MD.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $57.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Annapolis,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.