Product Design Engineer Intern Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Design Engineer plays a key role in developing and improving mobile equipment and related products by analyzing performance data, leading design activities, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment. This role focuses on new product development, continuous improvement, and ensuring products meet quality, safety, and industry standards while supporting long-term customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Analyze customer feedback, warranty data, testing results, and field performance to identify design improvements and enhance product reliability and quality.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, purchasing, vendors, customers, marketing, and engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with customer needs.
• Perform engineering calculations and analyses involving mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems to support robust and safe product designs.
• Create and maintain detailed engineering drawings, layouts, 3D models, and product documentation using CAD tools such as NX, IDEAS, AutoCAD, or similar software.
• Develop, build, and test prototypes, analyze test results, and implement corrective actions to validate designs and resolve performance issues.
• Conduct quality checks and investigate product performance issues in the field, providing technical support and recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
• Communicate design changes, technical recommendations, and project updates through clear presentations, written reports, and technical discussions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction by applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process improvement principles.
• Work closely with process engineering and manufacturing teams to optimize manufacturing processes, assembly methods, tooling, and automation for new and existing products.
• Participate in new product development projects, contributing to concept generation, design reviews, validation plans, and production launch activities.
• Ensure product designs comply with relevant industry standards such as UL, NFPA, ANSI, ISO, and ITA, and support documentation and testing required for compliance.
• Utilize MRP systems to manage bills of materials, track engineering changes, and support production planning and product lifecycle management.
• Provide project management support by planning tasks, tracking progress, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet project timelines and deliverables.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences.
• 3+ years of product engineering experience designing mobile equipment, or 5+ years of related product design experience.
• Strong mechanical engineering knowledge, including understanding of mechanical systems and mobile equipment design.
• Experience with CAD design software, preferably NX or IDEAS, and familiarity with 3D modeling and engineering drawing creation.
• Experience with product design and development engineering, including new product development and machine design.
• Experience with testing, validation, and troubleshooting of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience using an MRP system to support product data management and production planning.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as UL, NFPA, ANSI, ISO, and ITA and their application to product design.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional manufacturing environment with engineering, production, purchasing, vendors, and customers.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed for field support, vendor visits, and customer interactions.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely without sponsorship.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with NX or similar CAD platforms and 3D modeling tools for mechanical design.
• Experience in mechanical design, machine design, and automation-related tooling.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Creo, or comparable CAD software for detailed drawings and layouts.
• Exposure to Six Sigma, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in process engineering and process improvement within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, assembly methods, and production workflows.
• Project management experience supporting engineering and production projects.
• Strong skills in cross-functional collaboration, communication, and technical reporting.
• Ability to support quality checks, field investigations, and corrective action implementation.
• Understanding of electrical and hydraulic systems as they relate to mechanical design and mobile equipment.

Work Environment

This role operates within a stable, well-established manufacturing environment that emphasizes long-term growth, strong benefits, and a people-first culture. The organization has been in business for over 100 years and maintains a large local presence with more than 250 employees, many of whom have tenures of 10 to 25+ years, reflecting a supportive and engaging workplace. The Mechanical Design Engineer works closely with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, marketing, and customer-facing teams, using modern CAD tools such as NX, IDEAS, AutoCAD, and Creo, as well as MRP systems to manage product data and support production. The environment promotes continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and quality-focused processes, with opportunities to participate in prototype builds, testing activities, and field investigations. Occasional domestic and international travel may be required to support customers, vendors, and field performance reviews. The culture values collaboration, technical excellence, and long-term career development within a stable manufacturing setting.

This is a Permanent position based out of Lexington, KY.

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $105000.00/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.

Referral programTuition reimbursementParental leave401(k)Health insuranceRetirement plan401(k) matchingPaid time offVision insuranceHealth savings accountDental insuranceFlexible spending accountLife insuranceEmployee assistance program

This is a fully onsite position in Lexington,KY.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 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.