Mechanical Design Engineer - Propulsion

Mechanical Design Engineer - Propulsion location Houston, Texas, USA category Manufacturing, Mechanical, & Electrical 62.5 USD - 96.15 USD/hour Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer Job Description This role focuses on the design and development of mechanical components and assemblies for propulsion and aerospace applications, with particular emphasis on high-temperature materials, pressure vessels, and rocket motor or missile systems. You will take technical ownership of complex, mission-critical systems tied to defense, national security, space technology, and missile defense, contributing to meaningful, high-stakes engineering work in a culture that values innovation, curiosity, and hands-on problem solving. Responsibilities Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for propulsion and aerospace applications, including pressure vessels and rocket motor or missile hardware. Perform engineering trade studies that balance pressure, temperature, weight, manufacturability, and reliability to optimize system performance. Support design, analysis, testing, troubleshooting, and qualification activities across the product lifecycle. Evaluate and select materials for high-temperature and demanding operating environments, ensuring compatibility and long-term reliability. Develop solutions for sealing technologies, including O-ring design and pressure containment systems, to meet stringent performance requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues and drive products through development, testing, and qualification. Participate in technical reviews, failure investigations, and root-cause analysis to improve designs and prevent recurrence of issues. Contribute to engineering problem-solving activities, offering creative and practical solutions to complex mechanical design challenges. Work independently and proactively, managing tasks and priorities in a remote or distributed environment while maintaining clear communication with stakeholders. Essential Skills 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience at a sr. or principal level. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Strong understanding of pressure vessel design, associated challenges, and propulsion-related applications. Expertise in sealing technologies and O-ring design for high-pressure, high-temperature systems. Deep knowledge of high-temperature materials, material selection, and compatibility in demanding environments. Solid grasp of mechanical design fundamentals and engineering best practices. Ability to work independently and proactively in a remote environment while meeting technical and schedule commitments. Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering and program teams. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with solid rocket motors or propulsion systems, including design, development, and testing. Experience in the aerospace or defense industry, particularly in propulsion, missile defense, or space technology. Hands-on experience with rocket motor design, development, and qualification testing. Experience conducting qualification testing, failure investigations, and root-cause analysis for complex mechanical systems. Familiarity with high-temperature operating environments and material compatibility challenges. Exposure to propulsion system temperature controls and related analysis software tools. Experience using mechanical CAD and design tools such as Creo and applying GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) in detailed drawings. Interest in working on mission-critical systems with a focus on innovation, curiosity, impact, and a culture of doers, thinkers, and builders. Work Environment You will work in an environment centered on mission-critical aerospace and defense programs, including propulsion, missile defense, and space technology. The culture emphasizes building the future, protecting lives, and contributing to a mission larger than any one person, with a strong focus on innovation, curiosity, and technical ownership. Engineers are empowered to take responsibility for complex systems rather than operating in a heavily layered or bureaucratic structure. The role supports remote work, requiring proactive communication and collaboration with distributed teams, and involves the use of modern engineering tools such as mechanical CAD (e.g., Creo), GD&T practices, and analysis software for propulsion and temperature control systems. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, Texas. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $96.15/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 Jul 17, 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.