Associate Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Engineer leads complex mechanical design projects using CAD tools, creating complete layouts, designs, and documentation for sophisticated assemblies. Working under the direction of a senior mechanical engineer, this role drives mechanical design activities from concept through documentation, supports manufacturability and design changes, and provides guidance to designers and drafters while ensuring adherence to engineering and documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Complete layout, design, and documentation of complex mechanical designs and assemblies using computer-aided design (CAD) equipment.
• Assist engineers with design changes and manufacturability, exercising independent judgment to recommend improvements.
• Assign, track, and review the work of designers and drafters, providing on-the-job training and guidance as needed.
• Develop, implement, and use best practices for CAD modeling, drawing creation, and methods required to convey technical information to manufacturing teams and suppliers.
• Enforce documentation and quality standards to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across all design deliverables.
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with supervisors, peers, and subordinates to coordinate project activities.
• Manage personal workload and help manage the time of others to ensure efficient completion of projects and milestones.
• Motivate, develop, and direct designers and drafters, identifying strengths and assigning tasks to the most suitable individuals.
• Prepare engineering designs using appropriate calculations and convert them into complete technical documentation packages.
• Monitor project status and compliance with requirements, keeping all participants informed of progress, issues, and changes.
• Utilize CAD tools to perform design studies and analyses, support research and development, and manage specifications, configuration, document control, fabrication, assembly, and simulation and modeling activities.
• Maintain operational records and document operational performance issues related to designs or processes.
• Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems and drive practical solutions.
• Develop technical methods or processes that improve design efficiency, manufacturability, or product performance.
• Design basic circuitry and create sketches to clarify details and support design documentation under the direction of engineers, using drafting instruments or CAD equipment.
• Build prototypes from rough sketches or plans to validate design concepts and support testing and evaluation.
• Perform hands-on inspection and assembly of first-article units for designs, using mechanical tools to verify fit, function, and quality.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (BS in ME).
• Minimum of 1–3 years of experience in mechanical design or a closely related engineering role.
• Strong technical skills in mechanical design, including proficiency with Pro-E and Creo CAD software.
• Solid understanding of engineering practices such as form, fit, and function in all phases of mechanical design.
• Knowledge of rules of interchangeability and the ability to perform tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Ability to work effectively with supervisors, peers, subordinates, and a variety of personalities in a collaborative environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including active listening and clear documentation.
• Experience with aerospace-related mechanical design or familiarity with aerospace engineering environments.
• Ability to lead complex design projects under the direction of senior engineering staff.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a mechanical design engineer or design engineer in an aerospace setting is highly beneficial.
• Background in using CAD tools for simulation, modeling, configuration management, and document control.
• Ability to develop and refine technical methods or processes that support continuous improvement.
• Experience building and testing prototypes from sketches or plans.
• Capability to design basic circuitry and support multidisciplinary engineering documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and provide on-the-job training to designers and drafters.
• Strong organizational skills for tracking project status, documentation, and quality compliance.

Work Environment

The Mechanical Engineer works under the direction of a senior staff mechanical engineer while taking the lead on completing complex design projects. The role is primarily office-based and requires frequent and prolonged use of computers and CAD software. Work may involve occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds and occasional overnight travel to support project needs, supplier visits, or manufacturing activities. The position also requires dexterity with mechanical tools for hands-on inspection and assembly of the first units produced from the engineer’s designs, ensuring that products meet form, fit, and function requirements in real-world conditions.

#ACTmneng26

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $40.00/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 hybrid position in Minneapolis,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 19, 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.