Part Time Design Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Design Engineer supports the development of new products in close collaboration with customers and internal teams. The role focuses heavily on 3D CAD design using Creo, hands-on prototyping, and participation in product testing and design validation activities. The engineer contributes throughout the product lifecycle, from concept and reverse engineering of existing products to detailed design, lab testing, and design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Develop 3D models and detailed designs for new product concepts using Creo.
• Support new product development for poke-through and floor box electrical systems in partnership with customers.
• Collaborate closely with customers and internal cross-functional teams during co-development efforts, sharing technical input and design updates.
• Review existing product assemblies on the production floor to analyze design intent and performance.
• Support reverse engineering efforts to understand current product designs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Apply insights from existing product designs to enhance and optimize new product development.
• Participate actively in lab testing activities, primarily focused on functional performance and design validation.
• Take part in design reviews with customers, clearly communicating design decisions, risks, and updates.
• Contribute to hands-on prototyping activities, including basic assembly, fabrication, or modification of components.
• Work with various manufacturing processes such as aluminum extrusions, formed sheet metal, die casting, and plastic injection molding to ensure designs are manufacturable.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers from the customer, and internal project engineers to align design activities with program timelines and goals.
• Demonstrate informal or formal leadership by directing work where needed, sharing ideas, and contributing proactively to team discussions.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying design enhancements, process improvements, and opportunities to streamline development.
• Document designs, test results, and design changes clearly and accurately to support traceability and future reference.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of CAD modeling experience, with strong proficiency in 3D modeling.
• CAD proficiency with exposure to Creo, including the ability to create detailed 3D models and drawings.
• Mechanical engineering experience in new product development and prototype design.
• Hands-on prototyping experience or high mechanical aptitude, such as basic woodworking, assembly experience, metal fabrication, or car maintenance.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following materials and processes: aluminum extrusions, formed sheet metal, die casting, and plastic injection molding.
• Proficiency in Creo and SolidWorks for mechanical design and modeling.
• Bachelor's degree (field aligned with engineering or a related technical discipline).
• Experience working cross-functionally with different departments, demonstrating effective collaboration and coordination.
• Leadership communication skills, with the ability to share ideas clearly and influence team direction.
• Experience or capability in rough metal fabrication, including break forming, sheet metal work, light welding operations, machining, mill, lathe, or CNC operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Formal or informal leadership experience, including examples of taking initiative, directing work, and contributing ideas to the team.
• Experience supporting new product development for electrical or mechanical systems is beneficial.
• Prior involvement in design reviews with customers or external stakeholders.
• Exposure to lab-based functional testing and design validation activities.
• Ability to interpret and apply manufacturing considerations to design, especially for metal and plastic components.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to reverse engineering and design optimization.

Work Environment

This is a full-time role, typically working 40 hours per week, with a standard schedule around 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a 1-hour lunch break. There is flexibility on exact working hours to accommodate personal and project needs. The Mechanical Design Engineer works as part of a collaborative program team that includes a Project Manager, engineers from the customer, an internal Project Engineer, and additional part-time team members from both the internal organization and a tool and die partner. The environment combines office-based CAD work with time on the production floor and in lab settings for testing and reverse engineering. The role involves working with technologies such as Creo and SolidWorks, as well as exposure to manufacturing processes like aluminum extrusion, formed sheet metal, die casting, plastic injection molding, and various metal fabrication methods. The setting supports close interaction with cross-functional teams and offers structured paid time off, including six paid holidays and three weeks of PTO over a one-year timeframe.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Rockford, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $52.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Rockford,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 28, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.