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Contract Mechanical Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Protingent

Mechanical Design Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$37 - $74/hr

Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Mechanical Design Engineer opportunity. Job Responsibilities: * Design of reactor structures and components from requirements through final design.

TalentBurst, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer II

Corning, NY

... Contract Mechanical Engineer II with manufacturing automation and controls experience to support the design, build, integration, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and ...

INA Solution Inc

Mechanical Design engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Milpitas, CA (100% Onsite) Duration: Long-Term Contract Seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to support product/platform development, including mechanism design ...

Hirekeyz Inc

Mechanical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Contract We are currently seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team at the Richmond, VA site. This is an immediate requirement to support design and engineering ...

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

My name is Purna , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc . regarding an exciting contract opportunity for an Mechanical Design Engineer based in Huntsville, AL (Onsite)with one of our prestigious ...

Cystems Logic Inc

Mechanical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Richmond, VA Contract - C2C We are currently seeking a highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team at the Richmond, VA site. This is an immediate requirement to support ...

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rock Island, IL · On-site

$72K - $97K/yr

My name is Purna , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc . regarding an exciting contract opportunity for an Mechanical Design Engineer based in Rock Island, IL (Onsite)with one of our prestigious ...

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

My name is Mahalakshmi , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc. regarding an exciting contract opportunity for a Mechanical Design Engineer based Huntsville, AL, with one of our prestigious ...

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rock Island, IL · On-site

$72K - $97K/yr

My name is Mahalakshmi , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc. regarding an exciting contract opportunity for a Mechanical Design Engineer based Rock Island, IL, with one of our prestigious ...

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Design Engineer

Wyoming, MN · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

My name is Purna , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc . regarding an exciting contract opportunity for a Mechanical Design Engineer based in Wyoming, MN (Onsite) with one of our prestigious ...

Intellectt INC

Mechanical Design Engineer

Henrico, VA · On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

My name is Mahalakshmi , and I'm reaching out from Intellectt Inc. regarding an exciting contract opportunity for a Mechanical Design Engineer based in Henrico, VA (Onsite), with one of our ...

System One

Mechanical Design Engineer

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$52 - $85/hr

Contract Compensation: $52 - $85 hourly Contractor Work Model: Hybrid System One is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) program. This position will ...

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All JobsContract Mechanical Design Jobs

Contract Mechanical Design information

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$45.5K

$91.6K

$136.5K

How much do contract mechanical design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract mechanical design in the United States is $91,578.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Mechanical Design vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectContract Mechanical DesignMechanical Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in mechanical engineering or related field; certifications like EIT or PE are common but not always mandatoryRequires a degree in mechanical engineering; PE license often preferred or required for certain roles
Work EnvironmentOften project-based, freelance, or temporary roles; may work remotely or on-site with clientsFull-time employment in corporate, manufacturing, or consulting firms; primarily on-site or in-office
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by consulting firms, engineering services, and freelance professionals across various industriesEmployed by manufacturing companies, design firms, or government agencies

Contract Mechanical Design professionals focus on project-specific work, often freelance or temporary, with flexible arrangements. Mechanical Engineers typically hold full-time roles within organizations, with a broader scope of responsibilities. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but their work settings and employment types differ significantly.

What is contract mechanical design?

Contract mechanical design refers to hiring a mechanical designer or engineer on a contractual basis to develop, modify, or analyze mechanical systems or components. These professionals typically work on a project-by-project basis for companies that need specialized expertise but do not require a full-time employee. Contract mechanical designers handle tasks such as creating 3D models, producing technical drawings, and performing engineering analysis to ensure products meet required specifications. This flexible arrangement allows businesses to scale their engineering resources according to project demands.

What are some common challenges faced by contract mechanical design engineers, and how can they effectively manage project expectations?

Contract mechanical design engineers often encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new team dynamics, understanding project requirements with limited onboarding, and meeting tight deadlines. To effectively manage project expectations, it's important to establish clear communication with clients and stakeholders from the outset, set realistic timelines, and proactively address potential design or resource constraints. Building strong relationships with permanent staff and leveraging collaborative tools can also help ensure successful project outcomes and smooth integration into new teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Mechanical Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Mechanical Design Engineer, you need strong proficiency in mechanical engineering principles, CAD design, and a relevant engineering degree or certification. Familiarity with industry-standard software like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA, and knowledge of prototyping and manufacturing processes are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and time management skills help you adapt to varying client needs and project timelines. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality, innovative designs efficiently in a competitive contract environment.
What cities are hiring for Contract Mechanical Design jobs? Cities with the most Contract Mechanical Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Design jobs? The most popular types of Mechanical Design jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Mechanical Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Mechanical Design jobs include:
Contract Mechanical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Mechanical Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,578 per year, or $44 per hour.

Contract Mechanical Engineer II - Controls Experience

DivIHN

Newton, NC • On-site

Contractor

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

For further inquiries regarding the following opportunity, please contact our Talent Specialist, Gopalakrishnan at (224) 369-4243
Title: Contract Mechanical Engineer II - Controls Experience
Location: Onsite at Newton, NC
Duration: 12 Months
Hours: 40 hrs a week / 8 hrs a day
8 AM - 5 PM Monday - Friday and occasional OT
Only W2 candidates are eligible for this position. Third-party or C2C candidates will not be considered.
Description:
Position Overview
  • We are seeking a Contract Mechanical Engineer II with manufacturing automation and controls experience to support the design, build, integration, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment and production systems. This role is ideal for an engineer with a solid background in mechanical design who has worked closely with controls, electrical, and manufacturing teams on automation equipment, machine upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.
  • The engineer will contribute to projects involving automated assembly equipment, material handling systems, stations, fixtures, motion systems, and production line enhancements. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in both design and plant-floor environments and has hands-on experience troubleshooting electromechanical systems in a manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design and develop mechanical systems, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and machine components for manufacturing automation equipment.
  • Support the integration of mechanical systems with PLC-controlled equipment, servo motors, drives, sensors, vision systems, actuators, pneumatics, and other automation components.
  • Collaborate with controls engineers, electrical engineers, maintenance teams, production supervisors, and manufacturing engineers to implement new equipment and improve existing systems.
  • Create and update 3D CAD models, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, and bills of materials.
  • Assist with equipment layout, mechanical design reviews, tolerance analysis, and design for manufacturability/assembly.
  • Participate in machine builds, prototype assembly, factory testing, line trials, equipment startup, commissioning, and production support.
  • Troubleshoot equipment issues related to mechanical design, machine performance, motion systems, and automation interfaces.
  • Identify root causes of downtime, recurring failures, and process inefficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, uptime, cycle time, ergonomics, throughput, scrap reduction, and reliability.
  • Work with vendors and internal teams to source components, review designs, and support fabrication and assembly.
  • Ensure designs meet applicable safety, quality, and manufacturing standards.
  • Document engineering changes, test results, validation activities, and project updates.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • 3+ years of mechanical engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, machine design, or production equipment development.
  • Experience supporting automated machinery, manufacturing equipment, assembly systems, conveyors, packaging lines, or material handling systems.
  • Working knowledge of controls-integrated mechanical systems, including PLC-based automation, sensors, pneumatic devices, actuators, motor-driven systems, and servo applications.
  • Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, Inventor, or similar.
  • Experience developing detailed mechanical drawings, BOMs, and engineering documentation.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, machine design, tolerances, materials, and mechanical assemblies.
  • Hands-on troubleshooting experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
  • Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with high-speed manufacturing, automated assembly, packaging, robotics, or custom machine design.
  • Familiarity with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens.
  • Experience with motion control systems, machine guarding, safety circuits, and industrial automation standards.
  • Knowledge of GD&T, FMEA, RCA, 5 Why, and lean manufacturing principles.
  • Experience supporting commissioning, FAT, SAT, and production line ramp-up.
  • Exposure to vision systems, end-of-arm tooling, pick-and-place systems, or robotic cells.
  • Prior experience in automotive, consumer products, food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, or similar production environments.

Core Competencies
  • Mechanical design for automation equipment
  • Manufacturing equipment improvement
  • Controls and mechanical integration
  • Machine troubleshooting and root cause analysis
  • CAD design and documentation
  • Continuous improvement in production environments
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Equipment validation and startup support

Work Environment
  • Combination of office, engineering lab, and manufacturing floor work.
  • Frequent interaction with operating production equipment and maintenance teams.
  • Occasional extended hours or weekend support during equipment installation, startup, or major production events may be required.

Success in This Role
  • Success in this position means delivering practical, reliable mechanical solutions for automated manufacturing systems
  • Supporting seamless controls integration
  • Reducing downtime
  • Helping improve equipment performance, safety, and production efficiency

Apply