Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Job Description
This role focuses on designing and delivering next-generation networking products, including routers, switches, firewalls, and servers, that meet demanding system product requirements. The Mechanical Design Engineer develops innovative mechanical solutions for electronic enclosures using sheet metal, plastic, and die-cast components while ensuring compliance with EMI, safety, and regulatory standards. The position involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to negotiate requirements, evaluate technical risks and tradeoffs, and support the full product lifecycle for cutting-edge data center networking equipment.
Responsibilities
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Design and develop mechanical solutions for next-generation networking products such as routers, switches, firewalls, and servers.
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Create and refine electronic enclosure designs using sheet metal, plastic, and die-cast components, with an emphasis on data center networking equipment.
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Ensure mechanical designs meet EMI, safety, and compliance requirements and adhere to industry standards.
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Perform detailed tolerance analysis and apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure robust and manufacturable designs.
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Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including hardware, signal integrity, CAD, thermal, and manufacturing to define requirements and resolve design issues.
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Evaluate and communicate technical risks, tradeoffs, and design options to support informed decision-making.
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Work with manufacturing tooling for sheet metal, plastic, and die-casting to ensure designs are optimized for production.
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Participate in and support Engineering Change Order (ECO), Bill of Materials (BOM), and deviation processes throughout the product lifecycle.
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Use 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks and Creo to create detailed models, assemblies, and drawings of mechanical components and enclosures.
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Contribute to mechanism design and integration of mechanical features that enhance product functionality and serviceability.
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Support continuous improvement of design processes and documentation to increase quality and efficiency.
Essential Skills
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Proven experience in the mechanical design of computer networking equipment products for data centers, including servers, routers, or switches.
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Electronic enclosure design experience, particularly for networking and telecommunications products.
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Strong knowledge of manufacturing tooling and processes for sheet metal, plastic, and die-casting.
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Expertise in tolerance analysis and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
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Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks and Creo for mechanical design.
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Experience designing sheet metal chassis and enclosures, with the ability to work on server and electronic enclosure structures.
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Ability to ensure designs meet EMI, safety, and compliance requirements.
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Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
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Familiarity with telecommunication and networking hardware environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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Experience in designing plastic and die-cast parts for electronic enclosures.
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Mechanism design experience is a plus.
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Experience with Engineering Change Order (ECO), Bill of Materials (BOM), and deviation processes.
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Experience with Agile or similar product lifecycle management systems is a plus.
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Experience working with cross-functional teams such as hardware, signal integrity, CAD, thermal, and manufacturing.
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Designing chassis and enclosures for data center networking products.
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Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
Work Environment
This is an onsite role, Monday through Friday, working closely with a highly collaborative team. The environment emphasizes teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving around cutting-edge networking products. You will use modern CAD tools and work directly with experts in hardware, thermal, and manufacturing disciplines, gaining exposure to advanced data center technologies and innovative mechanical design practices.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Jose, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/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 San Jose,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 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 [email protected] 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.
