Mechanical Project Engineer

Job Title:

Mechanical Project Engineer Job Description The Mechanical Project Engineer will play a critical role in developing and supporting system design tools, engineering playbooks, and integration platforms used by internal design engineers and partner vendors. This role serves as the technical bridge between mechanical design, vendor capabilities, and internal tools, with a strong emphasis on delivering measurable results, building trust across stakeholders, and enabling scalable integration models for material handling equipment (MHE) systems. The position is highly cross-functional and visible, requiring expertise in MHE systems, project execution, vendor engagement, and tooling integration to support a long-term strategy that increases ownership of material handling systems, reduces reliance on traditional integrators, and delivers repeatable engineering solutions. Responsibilities + Contribute to the development of engineering playbooks that define how to design, integrate, and deploy material handling equipment (MHE) as an in-house integrator. + Support the creation and continuous improvement of standardized mechanical design and integration methods that enable scalable and repeatable MHE solutions. + Support the development and rollout of system design tools used by concept engineers for early-stage design support. + Support the development and rollout of system design tools used by firm engineers for detailed mechanical engineering and integration activities. + Collaborate with an identified tooling platform and help integrate internal systems, scheduling tools, and engineering workflows into a cohesive engineering ecosystem. + Act as a mechanical subject matter expert to ensure system design tools accurately reflect real-world MHE constraints, vendor capabilities, and system performance requirements. + Partner closely with vendor development and vendor management teams to support and strengthen strategic supplier relationships. + Provide technical escalation support to internal teams and external vendors to help build and maintain trust across all stakeholders. + Drive initiatives with smaller and emerging integrators where agility and urgency can produce measurable impact on project outcomes. + Support broader strategic partnership agreements tied to future acquisitions and vendor growth strategies. + Translate engineering scope into clear, executable requirements for vendors and internal teams to ensure alignment and successful delivery. + Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, vendor management, and operations teams to support end-to-end project execution. + Operate effectively in ambiguous and evolving environments while demonstrating high ownership and accountability. + Contribute to the long-term strategy to increase ownership and control over material handling systems and reduce reliance on traditional third-party integrators. + Help enable scalable, repeatable engineering solutions that accelerate onboarding and growth of strategic MHE partners and deliver defensible, measurable engineering outcomes. + Support the development, documentation, and maintenance of engineering tools, design platforms, and standardized playbooks as part of a growing engineering program. Essential Skills + Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. + 5+ years of experience in material handling equipment (MHE), automation, or conveyor/sortation systems. + Experience with mechanical system design, integration, or project engineering. + Prior experience working with or for system integrators or MHE vendors. + Demonstrated ability to translate engineering scope into executable requirements for vendors and internal teams. + Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, vendor management, and operations teams. + Comfort operating in ambiguous, evolving environments with high ownership expectations. + Hands-on experience with automation, material handling, material-handling equipment, conveyor systems, and material flow. + Proficiency with AutoCAD for mechanical design and layout work. + Experience in project management within engineering or MHE environments. + Experience in vendor management, including coordination, communication, and performance oversight. + Demonstrated project engineering experience supporting complex mechanical or MHE projects. Additional Skills & Qualifications + Prior experience building or supporting engineering tools, design platforms, or standardized engineering playbooks. + Strong written communication skills for technical documentation and playbook development. + Proven ability to influence without formal authority and build trust across diverse teams. + Experience working with integration platforms that connect internal systems, scheduling tools, and engineering workflows. + Exposure to strategic partnership development with MHE vendors and integrators. + Interest in contributing to a long-term engineering strategy focused on scalable and defensible MHE solutions. + Motivation to join a newer engineering team and help build out a new program that is part of a large strategic initiative. + Ability to balance work/life harmony with strong ownership and delivery expectations. + Interest in a contract role with the potential to transition into a full-time engineering position based on performance and business needs. Work Environment This role is primarily remote and offers strong autonomy and accountability, allowing you to manage your work with flexibility while meeting clear delivery expectations. Travel is limited to approximately 5-6 trips per year, significantly less than a typical mechanical project engineering role. You will collaborate closely with a team of engineers and technical leaders in a highly cross-functional environment focused on material handling and automation systems. The work relies heavily on digital engineering tools, system design platforms, and remote collaboration technologies rather than a fixed on-site presence. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Nashville, TN. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/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 remote position.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 20, 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.

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.