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Contract Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Dewberry

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Healthcare

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$92K - $121K/yr

... contract specifications and technical standards to the client on time and within budget. Join us at ... Responsibilities The Senior Mechanical Engineer would be expected to provide the following to ...

Dewberry

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Healthcare

Raleigh, NC

$92K - $121K/yr

... contract specifications and technical standards to the client on time and within budget. Join us at ... The Senior Mechanical Engineer would be expected to provide the following to others on the design ...

Ardurra

Mechanical Engineer Team Lead - MEP

Durham, NC · Hybrid

$106K - $129K/yr

Negotiating fees, contracts and deliverables internally and externally * Be a driver for business ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field required, Master's degree in ...

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All JobsContract Mechanical Engineer JobsContract Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Contract Mechanical Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$44.2K

$100K

$161.8K

How much do contract mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract mechanical engineer in Raleigh, NC is $100,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,200.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Contract Mechanical Engineer Do?

Contract mechanical engineers are independent contractors who work directly with their own clients on projects. You find these professionals in a broad range of industries, including robotics, medical devices, and manufacturing. As a contract mechanical engineer, you design a product or machine according to your client's specifications, analyze the blueprints to ensure they are accurate, test a model to identify any potential issues, and repair them as necessary. Your job duties typically involve the extensive usage of specialized computer programs, such as CAD for technical drawings. Depending on the project, you may collaborate with other engineers on different aspects of the plans to ensure they do not conflict with other parts of the project.

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

To thrive as a Contract Mechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant engineering degree, often complemented by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), finite element analysis tools, and project management systems is typically required. Strong communication, adaptability, and time management skills help you excel in diverse project environments and collaborate effectively with clients and teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-quality engineering solutions on time and within budget in a contract-based setting.

What are Contract Mechanical Engineers?

Contract Mechanical Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems, but work on a contractual basis rather than as permanent employees. They may be hired for specific projects or periods by companies needing specialized expertise. Their responsibilities can include creating technical drawings, overseeing manufacturing processes, and ensuring products meet quality standards. Contract roles offer flexibility and variety in work, but may not provide the same benefits or job security as permanent positions.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract Mechanical Engineers when working on short-term projects?

Contract Mechanical Engineers often need to quickly adapt to new team dynamics and project requirements, as short-term assignments can vary widely in scope, tools, and expectations. They may face challenges such as limited onboarding time, integrating with established teams, and managing multiple projects simultaneously. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential to succeed, as contract engineers must rapidly build rapport with colleagues and deliver results within tight deadlines. Additionally, proactively seeking feedback and clarifying project goals early can help navigate these challenges and ensure project success.

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

AspectContract Mechanical EngineerContract Mechanical Designer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, possibly PE licenseBachelor's degree in Mechanical Design, CAD certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentEngineering firms, manufacturing, product developmentDesign studios, manufacturing, product development
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across engineering and manufacturing sectorsCommon in design and product development sectors
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for engineering roles involving analysis and designCompared for roles focused on detailed design and CAD work

Contract Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and testing mechanical systems, requiring engineering credentials. Contract Mechanical Designers primarily work on creating detailed CAD models and drawings, often with design certifications. Both roles are vital in manufacturing and product development, but they differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 54% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 68% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,000 per year, or $48.1 per hour.

Contract Mechanical Engineer

Dahlia TalentEQ

Morrisville, NC

Contractor

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Contract Mechanical Engineer – Medical Device Development

Contract | On-Site in Morrisville, NC

Important: This position requires full-time, on-site work in Morrisville, North Carolina. Remote work is not available.

We are not accepting submissions from third-party staffing vendors and cannot consider C2C arrangements.

Company Overview

Our client is an innovative medical technology company developing advanced, non-invasive monitoring systems. Its technologies provide deeper insight into physiological changes and capture signals associated with muscle and brain activity. The company is also advancing novel sensing solutions designed to perform reliably in demanding real-world environments.

This is an opportunity to join a growing, multidisciplinary team working to improve how health data is measured, understood, and used.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support the development of wearable and medical monitoring technologies. Working closely with mechanical, electrical, biomedical, and scientific team members, this individual will help translate technical and customer requirements into practical, manufacturable hardware solutions.

The engineer will contribute across the product development lifecycle—from early prototypes and mechanical architecture through design refinement, testing, issue resolution, and preparation for production. The successful candidate will be comfortable balancing multiple development priorities in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop mechanical components and assemblies for wearable monitoring and medical device systems.
  • Translate product, customer, and system requirements into detailed mechanical designs.
  • Design rigid and flexible enclosures, molds, fixtures, prototype assemblies, and optical interfaces using SolidWorks.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and scientific teams to integrate mechanical designs with electronic, optical, and software-based systems.
  • Identify, document, prioritize, and help resolve open hardware design issues.
  • Build and evaluate prototypes to confirm fit, function, durability, usability, and performance.
  • Support the transition of prototype designs into repeatable, scalable production processes.
  • Incorporate design-for-manufacturing, assembly, and testing principles throughout development.
  • Develop fixtures, molds, and other tools needed for prototyping, verification, and production readiness.
  • Ensure designs consider applicable medical device safety, usability, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain clear design documentation and communicate project status, risks, and recommended solutions to stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
  • At least eight years of relevant industry experience, including work with wearable monitoring systems, medical devices, or similarly regulated products.
  • Advanced SolidWorks proficiency, including experience designing enclosures, molds, fixtures, and mechanical or optical interfaces.
  • Demonstrated success advancing early-stage prototypes toward production.
  • Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping techniques and prototype subassembly development.
  • Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT).
  • Familiarity with medical device standards and regulatory expectations, including IEC 60601, ISO 10993, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 62366, and applicable FDA guidance.
  • Strong problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills.
  • Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced product development environment.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience developing waterproof, moisture-resistant, or corrosion-resistant products.
  • Experience designing devices or components that directly interface with the human body.
  • Background in wearable sensors, physiological monitoring, optical systems, or ruggedized medical technology.
Contract Details
  • Location: Morrisville, NC—on-site
  • Schedule: Approximately 35–40 hours per week
  • Duration: Initial contract of at least three months
  • Compensation: Hourly or engagement rate will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience
  • Engagement type: Direct applicants only; no third-party vendors or C2C arrangements