1

Contract Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Remote, OR (NOW HIRING)

Responsible for leading and bottom line results of all plant/process improvements within mechanical ... Responsible for selecting, leading and directing all outside engineering and contract resources ...

Responsible for leading and bottom line results of all plant/process improvements within mechanical ... Responsible for selecting, leading and directing all outside engineering and contract resources ...

Mgr, Automation and Support Systems

OR · Remote

$98K - $141K/yr

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or related field preferred ... Please note the advertised job title might vary from the job title on the contract due to local job ...

Contract Mechanical Engineer information

See Remote, OR salary details

$45.5K

$102.8K

$166.3K

How much do contract mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract mechanical engineer in Remote, OR is $102,777.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,400.00 and $126,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract mechanical engineer?

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 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 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Remote, OR?

The most popular types of Mechanical Engineer jobs in Remote, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Remote, OR?

For Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs in Remote, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Remote, OR are hiring for Contract Mechanical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Remote, OR with the most Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Mechanical Engineer job openings in Remote, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,777 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago


Roseburg Forest Products rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Description
Purpose
A Plant Engineer is responsible for all plant infrastructure including, but not limited to all mechanical, electrical and control systems. To design and implement manufacturing technology to automate production processes and equipment. To direct production equipment improvements, modifications and improvements plant wide for all systems. This position reports to the plant manager with a dotted line to one of the corporate engineering managers.
Key Responsibilities
  • Responsible for leading and bottom line results of all plant/process improvements within mechanical/electrical and controls of plant operations
  • Leading and directing of all projects plant side including the scoping, approving and execution though commissioning and implementation of all additions and changes
  • Lead, direct and supervise all engineering efforts for the entire plant site
  • Manage the installation of automation while ensuring safety, and validating the automated system for adherence to requirements and intended system operation
  • Interact with production supervisors/managers to identify areas to improve equipment throughput, flexibility, quality, safety, and/or reliability
  • Develop and direct automation for safety and quality improvement initiatives plant wide
  • Manage large capital project or multiple small capital projects concurrently with bottom line responsibility for budget and project results
  • Manage the budget for a large capital project or multiple small capital projects and proactively identify opportunities to reduce the overall project cost
  • Design and implement modifications to the existing manufacturing equipment needed to improve operational efficiencies
  • Compose Functional Requirement Specifications (FRS) for new or upgraded utility systems, compounding processes, and packaging equipment
  • Generate and revise standard operating procedures
  • Lead manufacturing non-conformance investigations and apply good engineering practices to reduce the risk of repeat non-conformances
  • Implement corrective and preventative actions to improve manufacturing's operational efficiencies
  • Perform risk assessment and risk mitigation activities using systematic tools
  • Lead, develop, specify and direct the implementation of new technologies to enhance the plants capability in control systems
  • Provide direction for training and knowledge sharing with team members to strengthen department skill set
  • Lead the capital planning for control systems replacement/upgrades
  • Responsible for selecting, leading and directing all outside engineering and contract resources necessary for process changes, project development and execution
  • Responsible for monthly report status to corporate engineering director of all plant wide projects and improvement progress
  • Directly responsible for leading the annual CAPEX process as well as 5-year CAPEX planning.
  • Participate and report out in annual engineering services summit. Also participate and lead portions of the quarterly engineering services meetings
  • Direct responsibility for personal advancement with leading one's own personal development plan with reporting and review with the associated business engineering manager in engineering services
  • Model Company values
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, industrial, Computer Science)
  • EIT or ability to achieve an EIT certificate within the first 2 years. Working toward achieving a professional engineer's license within 5 years
  • Adept skills with AutoCAD or similar CAD design software
  • Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks
  • Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong organizational and project management skills
  • Ability to work in and maintain a highly functional team environment
  • Experience with Word, excel and Macros within excel
  • Robotics experience including direct participation and/or leading a team of executing robotics solutions

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree or PhD in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science)
  • Fifteen (15) + years' experience
  • Experience with automation programming such as Rockwell PLC's
  • Ability to read and create logic and flow diagrams
  • Adept experience with 3D CAD such as Inventor or similar
  • Professional engineer
  • Exposure to highly automated/technical equipment in a manufacturing environment
  • Experience with complex multi-axis robotics solutions including AI (artificial intelligence and self direction)
  • Prior experience in wood products
  • Prior manufacturing experience in 24/7 operations
  • Adept with programming languages (Visual Basic, Java, Python, C++)
  • Experience with machine vision control systems
  • SQL database, historian design, configuration, setup, and maintenance
  • EtherNet experience and general networking knowledge

General Requirements
  • Travel of 5-15%

What Roseburg Forest Products employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom