Mechanical Systems Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Systems Engineer (Diagnostics, Hydraulics, Equipment)

Solve real-world equipment problems using your mechanical expertise—whether from engineering, test/validation, or hands-on experience. 🚨 Interviews this week

Job Description

The position serves as a front-line technical resource, providing remote troubleshooting support to dealers and field technicians across a wide range of heavy equipment products. This role acts as a primary escalation point when field technicians cannot resolve equipment issues on site, using engineering tools, schematics, and diagnostic systems to identify root causes and guide effective repairs. The position is fully dealer-facing, requires strong mechanical aptitude and systems-level understanding of machinery, and focuses on delivering clear, structured technical guidance in high-pressure situations where equipment downtime directly impacts customers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for dealer service requests, supporting equipment issues across a broad product portfolio.
• Analyze and troubleshoot machine failures remotely using engineering systems, schematics, and diagnostic tools rather than hands-on work.
• Work within a Microsoft-based workflow system to manage incoming requests, document findings, and track issue resolution through completion.
• Collaborate with approximately 70 internal product groups to identify root causes of failures and determine appropriate next steps.
• Interpret how machine systems such as engines, drivetrains, hydraulics, transmissions, brakes, and axles interact in order to diagnose complex failures.
• Communicate directly with dealers and field technicians, often in high-pressure situations where equipment downtime affects customer operations.
• Provide structured, step-by-step technical guidance to support field repairs and ensure timely resolution of equipment issues.
• Leverage prior hands-on mechanical or field experience to understand likely failure modes and recommend practical repair strategies.
• Contribute to a global support operation by sharing knowledge, documenting best practices, and escalating issues appropriately when needed.
• Participate in training and continuous learning to stay current on product changes, diagnostic tools, and emerging machine technologies.

Essential Skills

• Strong mechanical aptitude with a solid understanding of heavy equipment or comparable mechanical systems.
• Comprehensive understanding of machine systems and components, including engines, transmissions, brakes, axles, drivetrains, and hydraulics, and how they interact at a systems level.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, technical prints, and engineering data to support remote diagnostics.
• Hands-on experience working directly on equipment, including repair, maintenance, rebuilds, and diagnostics, ideally as a mechanic, technician, or field service professional.
• Demonstrated experience independently maintaining and repairing complex machinery such as farming equipment, diesel engines, or heavy equipment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with dealers and technicians and to de-escalate challenging situations.
• Proven problem-solving ability, particularly in troubleshooting complex system-level failures without physical access to the machine.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple internal teams and product groups in a structured, process-driven environment.
• Comfort working in a fully remote-diagnostics role, troubleshooting and resolving issues without physically touching the machines.
• Mechanical aptitude sufficient to think through problems at a full system level rather than focusing solely on individual components.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with heavy equipment products or similar complex machinery.
• Exposure to machine-related technologies such as telematics systems (e.g., Product Link) and grade control systems.
• Experience using Microsoft-based workflow or ticketing systems to manage and track technical support requests.
• Associate’s degree in a mechanical, technical, or related field is beneficial but not required.
• Relevant technical certifications in mechanics, diesel technology, or equipment maintenance are a plus.
• Extensive hands-on experience as a mechanic, technician, or field service professional may substitute for formal education and is strongly valued.
• Ability to adapt to a structured training program and ramp up on new products, tools, and diagnostic methods.
• Comfort operating in a global support context, coordinating with multiple stakeholders and time zones as needed.

Work Environment

This position is fully onsite in Peoria, IL, working Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM with no travel required. The role operates within a global support organization that provides coverage 24/7; however, this specific position follows a standard daytime shift. You will work in an office environment using Microsoft-based workflow systems and engineering tools to support remote diagnostics and issue resolution. The setting emphasizes collaboration with multiple internal product groups, structured processes, and extensive initial and ongoing training to build deep product and systems knowledge.

This is a Contract position based out of Peoria, IL.

The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $42.00/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 Peoria,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 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.

Salary : $33 - $42