Design Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer – Aerospace Structures and Door Systems

Job Description

This role focuses on mechanical design for aerospace structures with a strong emphasis on door systems, including hinge and latch mechanism design. The engineer will develop complex kinematic and structural solutions for space and air vehicles, support conceptual and detailed design, and guide junior engineers while working closely with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical door systems with emphasis on hinges, latches, and complex kinematic mechanisms in a conceptual design environment.
• Develop and refine complex kinematic solutions for aerospace applications, ensuring functionality, reliability, and maintainability.
• Lead and guide junior engineers in structural design best practices, methods, and standards.
• Define and influence structural architecture by identifying and proposing advanced technologies and innovative design approaches.
• Support the overall design process through trade studies, concept development, and interface development between major structural components.
• Design composite primary and secondary structures, including high-temperature material forming and associated structural details.
• Create, manage, and run Global Finite Element Models (GFEM) that the stress team can use for analysis and validation.
• Create and execute Detail Finite Element Models (DFEM) for critical structural components and assemblies.
• Develop simple working finite element models for conceptual design work to validate design principles and support early design decisions.
• Use CATIA (part design, assembly design, surface/wireframe, composites workbench) to create, modify, and manage 3D models and assemblies.
• Apply GD&T to ensure clear, accurate, and manufacturable engineering drawings and specifications.
• Perform trade studies to evaluate multiple design solutions and downselect the best options based on weight, cost, schedule, and performance constraints.
• Collaborate in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment with design, fabrication, assembly, and other key functions to ensure designs are producible and meet program objectives.
• Support the design of metallic and composite structures for wings, fuselage, vertical tails, air vehicle doors, and structural elements such as stringers, frames, and clips.
• Leverage experience with aerospace structures, product development, and new design to contribute to commercial aircraft and space vehicle programs.

Essential Skills

• Strong experience in mechanical design with emphasis on nacelle structures, including inlets, fan cowls, etc...
• Ability to design complex kinematic solutions in a conceptual design environment.
• Extensive experience in aerospace structural design.
• Proficiency with CATIA, including part design, assembly design, surface/wireframe, and composites workbench.
• Experience in composites primary and secondary structure design.
• Experience with high-temperature material forming for aerospace applications.
• Proficient in applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience in structural design for thrust reversers, fuselage, vertical tails, air vehicle doors, and structural details such as stringers, frames, and clips.
• Hands-on experience with aerospace structural design, including metallic and composite structures.
• Experience creating, managing, and running Global Finite Element Models (GFEM) for use by stress and analysis teams.
• Experience creating and executing Detail Finite Element Models (DFEM) for detailed structural analysis.
• Ability to create simple finite element models to support conceptual design and validate design principles.
• Knowledge of various material forms and manufacturing processes relevant to conceptual design trade studies.
• Experience executing trade studies to select optimal design solutions based on weight, cost, and schedule.
• Ability to work effectively in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment with design, fabrication, assembly, and other key disciplines.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline is strongly preferred).
• Experience in aerospace structures, product development, and new design.
• Proficiency with FEM tools and methods for structural analysis.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with ENOVIA for product lifecycle and data management.
• Experience working on commercial aircraft programs or fuselage structures.
• Recent experience (within the last 5-10 years) on commercial structures programs with primary structures responsibility.
• Experience with commercial OEM or major aerostructures suppliers.
• Familiarity with systems design and integration considerations for aerospace structures.
• Experience using Fibersim or similar tools for composite design and manufacturing definition.
• Applicants with engineering degrees are strongly preferred over drafter or technician-level product designers.
• Experience in composites design.
• Understanding of both metallic and composite design approaches for aircraft and space structures.

Work Environment

This is a long-term, on-site contract role supporting aerospace manufacturing and engineering activities. The schedule is Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., working in a manufacturing facility where engineering, fabrication, and assembly teams collaborate closely. The environment involves regular interaction with production areas, design offices, and integrated product teams, using tools such as CATIA, ENOVIA, FEM software, and composite workbenches. Professional attire suitable for a manufacturing and engineering setting is expected, and appropriate safety gear may be required when working on or near the shop floor.

This is a Contract position based out of Wichita, KS.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $80.00/hr.

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 Wichita,KS.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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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Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.