Associate Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky

Job Title: Design Engineer

Job Description

This Design Engineer role focuses on creating custom mechanical solutions using SolidWorks, including jigs, fixtures, end effector tooling, and specialized equipment for production environments. You will own projects from concept through implementation, working closely with customers and internal teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and perform reliably in real-world applications.

Responsibilities

• Use SolidWorks to design jigs, fixtures, end effector tooling, material handling equipment, and other custom mechanical equipment from concept through completion.
• Perform structural design and finite element analysis (FEA) as needed to validate designs and ensure safety, durability, and performance.
• Develop detailed 3D models and engineering drawings to support fabrication, machining, and assembly activities.
• Collaborate closely with customers to understand requirements, review design concepts, and provide regular updates on project plans, schedules, and design changes.
• Manage projects from cradle to grave, including concept development, design, drafting, fabrication support, assembly oversight, installation coordination, and final implementation.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and design reviews while managing customer expectations and project communication.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-effective by applying strong knowledge of machining, fabrication, assembly, and shop processes.
• Support the assembly of your designs in the shop, working hands-on with fabrication and assembly teams to resolve issues and improve designs.
• Support installation and implementation of equipment at customer locations, ensuring proper function and integration into production operations.
• Contribute to the optimization of production processes and workflows by designing tooling and equipment that increase efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Design tooling, jigs, and fixtures that improve precision, repeatability, ergonomics, and operator safety on production lines.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to continuously improve design standards, documentation, and engineering practices.

Essential Skills

• Expert-level proficiency in SolidWorks, with the ability to create complex mechanical designs, tooling, fixtures, and custom equipment from scratch.
• Proven experience in custom machine and tooling design, including jigs, fixtures, end effectors, material handling equipment, and manufacturing solutions for production environments.
• Demonstrated capability to own projects from concept through design, fabrication, assembly, installation, and final implementation, with accountability for project success.
• Strong project management skills, including managing timelines, deliverables, design reviews, and customer communication.
• Solid understanding of machining, fabrication, assembly, and shop processes to ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
• Mechanical design and machine design experience in a production or manufacturing context.
• Ability to perform structural design and FEA analysis when required.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and drafting for mechanical systems and components.
• Computer skills with SolidWorks and Microsoft products.
• Experience with machining, fabrication, and new product development.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with AutoCAD for complementary design and drafting tasks.
• Basic sheet metal design knowledge.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field is favorable.
• Experience working in or with fabrication machine shops and machining equipment.
• Experience in engineering, drafting, and 3D modeling for custom equipment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a close-knit, multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with customers and internal stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role operates within a small, growing engineering and fabrication-focused organization that designs, builds, and implements custom manufacturing solutions for production operations. The team places a strong emphasis on tooling, jigs, fixtures, and material handling systems that support plant and line operations. You will work closely with production facilities to engineer and develop custom tooling that improves precision and repeatability, optimize production processes and workflows to increase efficiency and reduce downtime, and enhance ergonomics and safety for operators through better equipment design. The environment combines office-based design work using SolidWorks, Microsoft tools, and occasionally AutoCAD, with hands-on exposure to machining, fabrication, and assembly in a shop setting. You will also support onsite fabrication, assembly, and installation at customer locations, acting as part of a full-service partner team from concept through implementation. The company offers long-term stability, high visibility, and the opportunity to own projects end-to-end while contributing directly to company growth as part of a close-knit, collaborative team.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Georgetown, KY.

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $45.00/hr.

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 Georgetown,KY.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 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 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.