Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on driving cost reductions in complex automated vial-filling robotic systems while maintaining high standards of quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance. The Mechanical Engineer will analyze and optimize mechanical designs, Bills of Materials, and manufacturing approaches to reduce total product and production costs. The position works closely with cross-functional teams, including procurement, supply chain, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Regulatory, to ensure cost-down initiatives are technically sound, manufacturable, and compliant with life sciences requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed mechanical cost-down analyses on automated vial-filling robotic systems to reduce total product and manufacturing costs without compromising quality or compliance.
• Analyze and optimize mechanical Bills of Materials (BOMs), identifying cost-saving opportunities through component consolidation, material substitutions, and design simplification.
• Evaluate mechanical design inefficiencies such as over-tolerancing, over-engineering, and unnecessary complexity, and propose redesigns to improve cost, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews to reduce labor, assembly time, and production costs.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to identify and qualify alternate vendors and suppliers, and support vendor cost comparisons and negotiations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and Regulatory, to ensure design changes meet applicable life sciences standards and regulatory expectations, including GMP and FDA-related requirements.
• Validate cost-reduction initiatives through prototype builds, testing, and data analysis, ensuring changes achieve targeted cost and performance outcomes.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, including cost analyses, engineering change orders (ECOs), and validation reports, in accordance with internal processes and regulatory expectations.
• Present findings, cost models, and recommendations to engineering leadership and key stakeholders in a clear and compelling manner.
• Interpret and optimize complex assemblies and precision machinery, particularly robotic or automated equipment, to identify hidden cost drivers and improvement opportunities.

Essential Skills

• Strong expertise in mechanical design principles, including materials selection and tolerancing for CNC machining and sheet metal components.
• Expertise in robotics and automated equipment, especially in the context of complex mechanical systems.
• Proven ability to perform cost analysis and cost modeling for mechanical systems and assemblies.
• Experience applying DFM and DFA methodologies and lean engineering practices to reduce manufacturing and assembly costs.
• Solid knowledge of supply chain dynamics and vendor sourcing strategies relevant to mechanical and electromechanical components.
• Proficiency with CAD tools, with SolidWorks preferred, for designing and analyzing mechanical components and assemblies.
• Experience working with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems to manage designs, changes, and documentation.
• Ability to interpret, troubleshoot, and optimize complex assemblies and precision machinery, particularly robotic or automated systems.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to identify hidden cost drivers across design, materials, and manufacturing workflows.
• Understanding of life sciences regulatory requirements, including GMP and FDA-related expectations, and their implications on design changes.
• Effective communication skills to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in mechanical design, cost engineering, or product optimization, preferably in life sciences, medical devices, or pharmaceutical automation.
• Demonstrated success in leading or contributing to cost-reduction initiatives for complex mechanical systems.
• Experience with automated equipment, robotics, or precision machinery.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in medical device, life sciences, or pharmaceutical automation environments.
• Familiarity with supplier sourcing, vendor qualification, and working with global manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of quality systems and regulatory frameworks applicable to life sciences products.
• Certification or formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or Value Engineering.
• Preferred experience with robotic equipment in a regulated or high-precision setting.
• Experience in mechanical engineering design for cost, including cost engineering and value analysis.
• Experience working with automated equipment and robotics in manufacturing or production environments.

Work Environment

The role centers on automated vial-filling robotic systems and other complex mechanical and robotic equipment used in life sciences and medical-related applications. The Mechanical Engineer will work with modern CAD tools, such as SolidWorks, and PLM systems to manage designs and engineering changes. The environment is highly cross-functional, involving regular collaboration with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, procurement, and supply chain teams. Work typically involves analyzing detailed mechanical designs, Bills of Materials, and manufacturing processes, as well as supporting prototype builds and testing activities to validate cost-reduction initiatives. The position operates within a structured quality and regulatory framework aligned with life sciences standards, emphasizing thorough documentation, traceability, and compliance.

This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.

The pay range for this position is $62.00 - $62.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Durham,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 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.

Salary : $62