Contract Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Colorado

Job Description

This Mechanical Design Engineer role supports the development of next-generation, needle-free drug delivery systems, with a primary focus on a new pre-filled syringe application. You will lead hands-on mechanical design, prototyping, and design controls activities from proof-of-concept through validation, ensuring compliance with FDA and ISO requirements. The position offers significant visibility and ownership within a growing product portfolio that has global clinical and commercial impact, including use in life-saving drug delivery technology for worldwide health programs.

Responsibilities

• Drive new product development for needle-free drug delivery systems, supporting the full lifecycle from proof-of-concept through design verification within a stage-gate NPD process.
• Develop and refine mechanical concepts for pre-filled syringe and disposable components, translating requirements into robust, manufacturable designs.
• Create, update, and release detailed 3D CAD models and final production drawings using SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD tools.
• Author, maintain, and organize Design History Files (DHF) and other design control documentation in accordance with FDA and ISO requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and inspections by providing complete, accurate design documentation and technical justification for design decisions.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to optimize designs for scale-up and high-volume production.
• Collaborate closely with contract manufacturers and key suppliers to ensure design intent, manufacturability, and quality are achieved in production.
• Manage prototype builds, including planning, coordinating vendor activities, and overseeing assembly and testing iterations.
• Lead or contribute to testing and validation activities, analyzing results and driving design refinements based on performance, reliability, and safety data.
• Engage with cross-functional partners in Engineering, Quality, Clinical, and Customer functions to align design solutions with user needs, regulatory expectations, and commercial goals.
• Support design reviews, risk assessments, and DFMEA activities to identify, document, and mitigate potential failure modes in the design.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design control processes and documentation practices within the medical device development environment.
• Provide technical input and light project leadership in vendor-facing discussions, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and technical requirements are met.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience in mechanical design, including hands-on work in new product development.
• Hands-on experience designing medical devices in a regulated environment, with direct involvement in design controls and documentation.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software for creating detailed models and production-ready drawings.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles for disposable, syringe-based, or similar precision components.
• Ability to manage and execute prototyping activities, including coordinating builds, testing, and iterative design refinement.
• Experience applying Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles to optimize designs for production.
• Capability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, collaborating with quality, clinical, manufacturing, and customer-facing partners.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Working knowledge of ISO and FDA design controls, including practical experience with Design History Files (DHF) supporting new product development from concept through testing.
• Experience with pre-filled syringes, disposable medical devices, or other drug delivery systems.
• Direct exposure to FDA inspections or ISO audits, with familiarity in preparing and presenting design documentation.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE) for optimizing design parameters and validating performance.
• Vendor-facing experience and light project leadership responsibilities, such as coordinating external partners and managing deliverables.
• Interest in building strong medical device new product development credentials and contributing to high-impact, life-saving technologies.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite in Golden, CO in an office-focused engineering environment with access to small-scale prototyping capabilities. You will work closely with external contract manufacturers to support scale production and transfer of designs into manufacturing. The role involves regular interaction with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Quality, Clinical, and Customer-focused groups, in a collaborative setting that emphasizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and long-term product expansion supported by strong funding and strategic backing.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.

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. This temporary role may be eligible for the following:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401(k)/Roth
• Basic/Supplemental Life & AD&D
• Short and long-term disability
• HSA & DCFSA
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Paid Time off or State Sick Leave

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Golden, CO.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $68.00/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 Golden,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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.