Contract Design Engineer Solidworks Jobs in Illinois

Design Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing mechanical components and assemblies using Solidworks, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, attention to detail, and effective communication. The Design Engineer creates detailed drawings and bills of materials, supports manufacturing by refining designs to improve production efficiency, and manages design data through established processes and tools. The position is ideal for a mechanically minded professional who enjoys working with complex assemblies, weldments, and machine designs in a collaborative engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Use Solidworks and related tools to create accurate 3D models, detailed drawings, and bills of materials for mechanical devices and machines.
• Control the engineering change order (ECO) process while maintaining clear and open communication with the sales team.
• Manage and maintain product data in the product data management (PDM) system as a designated controller.
• Prepare diagrams and mechanical drafts for components, assemblies, and complete machine systems.
• Calculate dimensions and perform tolerance stack-up analysis using appropriate measuring instruments and engineering practices.
• Apply and interpret Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) in drawings and designs to ensure manufacturability and proper fit.
• Review, refine, and modify designs to reduce production deficiencies and improve manufacturability and efficiency.
• Learn and apply calculations for pressure vessels using specialized software such as Codeware.
• Learn and utilize the internal ERP system by controlling item masters, bills of materials (BOMs), and routing steps.
• Adapt to and understand internal manufacturing capabilities to ensure designs align with available processes and equipment.
• Provide timely updates on drawing completion status, workload, and project progress to relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate and collaborate with colleagues and other design engineers on complex diagrams and large mechanical assemblies.
• Ensure all work meets high standards for accuracy, detail, and adherence to deadlines.

Essential Skills

• Associate’s degree in a related technical field is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline is preferred.
• 2–3+ years of mechanical design experience.
• Proficiency with Solidworks, including experience working with large assemblies.
• Experience with product data management (PDM) systems.
• Previous experience in mechanical drafting, manufacturing, or other related fields.
• Strong experience in welding and weldment prints.
• Familiarity with machine designs and mechanical diagrams.
• Experience with machine drawings, with Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) preferred.
• Ability to calculate dimensions and perform tolerance stack-up using measuring instruments.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce highly accurate work.
• Ability to manage and control the ECO process.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with sales and engineering teams.
• Ability to learn and use internal ERP systems, including management of item masters, BOMs, and routing steps.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with pressure vessel calculations using tools such as Codeware.
• Experience managing or controlling PDM systems.
• Experience with ECO processes and documentation control.
• Familiarity with internal manufacturing processes and capabilities in a production environment.
• Mechanical Designer, Design Engineer, Solidworks, Mechanical Engineer, Drafter, CAD, and Mechanical Design experience.
• Experience with ECO processes, BOM creation and maintenance, GD&T, weldments, and machine design.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a detail-oriented environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Gurnee, IL.

The pay range for this position is $34.00 - $38.50/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 Gurnee,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 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 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.