Contractual Engine Design Engineer Jobs in California

The Mechanical Design Engineer designs and develops complex aerospace components and assemblies using CATIA V5 and PLM tools, ensuring manufacturability, compliance with industry standards, and seamless integration at engine and vehicle levels. This role combines advanced 3D modeling, drawing creation, and configuration management with hands-on support for manufacturing, shops, customers, and vendors.

• Create and modify 3D models in CATIA V5, including sketch-based solids, complex surfaces, assemblies, and parameterized models.
• Apply manufacturing knowledge to design metallic components suitable for sheet metal forming, subtractive manufacturing, and additive manufacturing, ensuring parts can be readily produced.
• Develop details and assemblies with a broad range of complexity while working within engine- and vehicle-level digital mock-up (DMU) environments.
• Model components and assemblies using appropriate local and global coordinate systems.
• Operate within PLM software (3DX) and follow standard configuration management practices for design data and documentation.
• Generate 2D drawings and 3D PDFs for detailed components and assemblies, ensuring clarity and completeness.
• Create Model Based Definition (MBD) using the CATIA FTA workbench to capture dimensions, tolerances, and annotations directly in the 3D model.
• Develop and maintain assembly bills of materials (BOMs) that accurately reflect the design configuration.
• Apply geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5-2018 standards (2009 acceptable) to ensure proper fit, form, and function.
• Perform tolerance stack-ups, interference checks, and installation assessments to validate designs and mitigate integration issues.
• Write Engineering Orders and implement changes to existing drawings and models in line with configuration control processes.
• Perform weight calculations using hand methods or CATIA-based tools to support performance and compliance requirements.
• Conduct design checks and reviews of models and drawings created by other drafters to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to standards.
• Support the shop, customers, and vendors by reading and interpreting SSP and customer drawings, helping to resolve questions and facilitate manufacturing.
• Create tooling models and drawings to support production, assembly, and inspection activities.
• Follow all applicable policies and procedures related to design, documentation, and quality.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area in accordance with safety standards.
• Perform other related engineering and drafting duties as assigned.

• Proficiency in all facets of 3D modeling in CATIA V5, including solids, complex surfaces, assemblies, and parameterized models.
• Strong mechanical design skills with experience in aerospace design and drafting.
• Demonstrated ability to design metallic components for sheet metal forming, subtractive manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.
• Experience working within engine- and vehicle-level DMU environments.
• Ability to model using both local and global coordinate systems.
• Hands-on experience with PLM software (3DX) and standard configuration management practices.
• Capability to create clear and accurate 2D drawings and 3D PDFs for components and assemblies.
• Experience creating Model Based Definition (MBD) using the CATIA FTA workbench.
• Strong understanding and practical application of GD&T per ASME Y14.5-2018 (or 2009).
• Ability to perform tolerance stack-ups, interference checks, and installation assessments.
• Experience writing Engineering Orders and updating existing drawings and models.
• Skill in performing weight calculations using hand methods or CATIA tools.
• Ability to perform design checks on models and drawings produced by others.
• Effective communication skills to aid shops, customers, and vendors in interpreting drawings and specifications.
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining organized and accurate documentation.
• Ability to maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of four years of aerospace design and drafting experience with at least 6,000 hours of CATIA V5 usage; or an equivalent degree with a minimum of two years of aerospace design and drafting experience and at least 4,000 hours of CATIA V5 usage.
• CATIA V5 courses are strongly desired to demonstrate formal training and advanced proficiency.
• ASME Y14.5 certification is a plus and strengthens GD&T expertise.
• Background in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, and new product development within aerospace environments.
• Experience with sheet metal design and aerospace structures is highly beneficial.

This is an onsite role in a design drafting environment that collaborates closely with analysts and interns under the guidance of a design drafting supervisor. The team works primarily with CATIA V5 and PLM (3DX) tools in an aerospace-focused setting, handling complex engine and vehicle-level designs. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with flexibility for start times between about 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Core hours during which team members are expected to be available are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The workplace emphasizes adherence to safety standards and maintaining a clean, organized, and professional work area.

This is a Permanent position based out of Burbank, CA.

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

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.

health, dental, vision 401K

This is a fully onsite position in Burbank,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 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.

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