Nesting Programmer Jobs in Grand Rapids, MI (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Machine Designer

Job Description

The Machine Designer will focus primarily on creating detailed designs in NX, dedicating 80% or more of their time to CAD work. This role centers on designing assembly cells (mechanical and robotic), router fixtures, vacuum-formed tools, and trim dies, while collaborating closely with program management, controls designers, and build teams throughout the full project lifecycle. The Machine Designer will participate in project kick-offs, risk assessments, internal design reviews, and design releases, ensuring high-quality, safe, and efficient automation and material-handling solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design assembly cells, including mechanical and robotic assembly cells, router fixtures, vacuum-formed tools, trim dies, and related automation equipment using NX CAD software.
• Spend 80% or more of working time performing detailed design work in NX, including modeling, surfacing, and preparing complete design packages.
• Participate in mechanical kick-off meetings with program managers, designers, controls designers, machine builders, and other team members to review project scope and clarify responsibilities.
• Take ownership of assigned components or sections of each project and ensure that designs meet functional, safety, and quality requirements.
• Participate in electrical kick-off meetings when the design is approximately 50–60% complete, presenting the current mechanical design to controls designers and collaborating on integration details.
• Perform risk assessments for projects using established Excel-based templates, documenting potential hazards and mitigation measures.
• Take part in wiring meetings when mechanical design is mostly complete, working with the team to determine hole locations, routing paths, and dimensions needed for wiring and cable lengths.
• Participate in internal design reviews with programmers and build teams, reviewing the complete design prior to customer release and final sign-off.
• Prepare and release complete design packages to customers, including final models, drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and risk assessments.
• Create, maintain, and update BOMs and risk assessments throughout the project lifecycle, especially when changes occur near shipment.
• Support the build team by clarifying design intent, addressing design-related questions, and ensuring a smooth handoff from design to build.
• Work on a range of project sizes, from single large projects (such as edge fold tools) to multiple smaller projects or engineering changes simultaneously.
• Handle engineering changes and smaller fixtures, typically managing 4–6 such tasks at a time when not assigned to a large, from-scratch design project.
• Apply surfacing techniques extensively for components such as trim dies, routings, and vacuum-formed tools, especially in early project phases.
• Design automation systems such as sonic welders, rotary equipment, conveyor systems, and other assembly equipment as needed.
• Use geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure accurate and manufacturable designs.
• Perform engineering calculations related to forces, weights, inertia, pressures (PSI), and other mechanical parameters to validate design performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet automation, material-handling, and production requirements.
• Update designs, BOMs, and risk assessments prior to shipment to reflect any late-stage changes or improvements.
• Maintain organized project documentation and adhere to internal design standards and processes.

Essential Skills

• 4+ years of experience in machine design or mechanical design, specifically involving assembly cells (mechanical or robotic).
• Proficiency in NX CAD software, with the ability to perform detailed modeling and surfacing work.
• Strong CAD proficiency with a focus on machine design and automation systems.
• Hands-on experience designing assembly cells, router fixtures, vacuum-formed tools, and trim dies.
• Knowledge and practical use of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience in automation design, including material-handling equipment and assembly equipment.
• Experience with sonic welding systems, rotary equipment, conveyor systems, and related automation components.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations such as cylinder forces, weights, inertia, and PSI-related calculations.
• Experience in material handling or automation industry applications, beyond simple nesting work.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or technical discipline.
• Ability to conduct structured risk assessments using tools such as Excel-based templates.
• Strong collaboration skills for working with program managers, controls designers, programmers, and build teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or engineering changes simultaneously, depending on project size and complexity.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Strong preference for candidates with advanced NX experience, including surfacing and complex assemblies.
• Experience designing edge fold tools, trim dies, and vacuum-formed tooling.
• Familiarity with automation systems such as sonic welders, rotary indexing systems, and conveyor-based assembly equipment.
• Experience working on both large, single-focus projects and multiple smaller fixtures or engineering changes at the same time.
• Comfort presenting designs in cross-functional meetings, including mechanical, electrical, and wiring reviews.
• Attention to detail in creating and maintaining BOMs and risk assessments throughout the project lifecycle.
• Interest in expanding skills with FEA tools within NX, including stress and deformation analysis, with training support provided.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing project requirements or timelines.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with internal teams and customers during design reviews and sign-off.

Work Environment

The role is 100% on-site under normal conditions, with the possibility of remote work when responsible for weekend assignments. Typical start times are between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., with current workloads averaging 50–55 hours per week, though this may vary over time. The workday includes a morning break around 9:00 a.m., a 30-minute lunch break, and an afternoon break around 3:00 p.m. The environment is a collaborative engineering and manufacturing setting, where designers work closely with controls engineers, programmers, and build teams using NX and related engineering tools. The position offers training opportunities in NX-based FEA (stress and deformation analysis), six paid holidays, three weeks of paid time off, and limited travel requirements of approximately one to two trips per year.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Walker, MI.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/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 Walker,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 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.