Virtual Optical Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

About the Job:

The Mechanical Development Engineer position is responsible for the design, validation, and sustainment of precision pan and tilt devices. The role will be tasked with the development of these devices as well as integration of various payloads – some examples include EO/IR optics, laser range finders, RF parabolic and horn antennas, and flat panel radars. This role will work directly with sales on custom and new product development efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

-Use engineering first principles and simulation software to define new product architectures and validate designs

-Interface directly with customers, sales, and marketing teams to understand real world challenges and recommend new architectures to address these challenges

-Work with Project Management team to develop and execute Design Validation Plans for new products

-Complete virtual and physical validation of new products, including report writing.

Required Qualifications

-5+ years of professional experience in mechanical engineering role

-Experience with designing and validating electro-mechanical systems

-Technical thinker with strong ability to recommend design choices based on first principles (structures, heat transfer, Statics/Dynamics, motor sizing)

-Familiar with full system architecture of precision motion control systems (encoders, motors, bearings, structures)

-BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent engineering discipline with adequate experience

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

-SolidWorks CAD, FEA, and PDM experience

-Motion control loop development with stepper and servo based systems

-Familiar with component and subsystem level validation

-Project leadership experience – from requirement elicitation to after sales support

-Experience with specifying and executing relevant tests associated with MIL-STD-810

Experience Level

Expert Level

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Glenview, IL.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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 Glenview,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 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.