Job Information
Actalent Mechanical Design Engineer in Wheeling, Illinois
Job Description: Mechanical Design Engineer
This role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing centrifugal pump products for a wide range of applications, including agricultural irrigation, dewatering systems, marine and home water pumps, and pumps used in industrial processes. The Mechanical Design Engineer develops efficient pump hydraulics and robust mechanical components that meet performance, reliability, and cost requirements. The ideal candidate combines a strong foundation in fluid dynamics and mechanical design with proficiency in modern CAD and CFD tools, and can balance innovative engineering solutions with practical manufacturing considerations.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and optimize centrifugal pump products for applications such as agricultural irrigation, dewatering systems, marine and home water pumps, and industrial process pumps.
Develop pump hydraulics that meet performance, efficiency, and cavitation control requirements, using a strong understanding of fluid mechanics and hydraulic principles.
Design and refine pump components including impellers, volutes, shafts, seals, bearings, and housings to achieve performance, reliability, and cost targets.
Use CAD software to create detailed 3D models, assemblies, and engineering drawings for new and existing pump designs.
Apply analysis tools, including CFD and other engineering simulations, to predict and optimize pump performance and efficiency.
Independently execute design tasks from concept through detailed design, including design reviews, documentation, and release to manufacturing.
Troubleshoot performance or reliability issues in existing products and implement design improvements based on test data and field feedback.
Support new product development initiatives, collaborating with cross-functional teams to define requirements and deliver robust designs.
Perform sustaining engineering activities to enhance existing product lines, improve manufacturability, and reduce cost while maintaining performance.
Support prototype builds by preparing design documentation, working with internal teams or suppliers, and resolving design-related issues.
Validate designs through performance testing, including planning and interpreting tests, and correlating test data with analytical and CFD models.
Communicate technical findings, design decisions, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional stakeholders in an on-site engineering environment.
Essential Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
At least 5 years of hands-on experience in centrifugal pump design or closely related rotating equipment.
Strong working knowledge of fluid mechanics and hydraulic principles as applied to pump performance, efficiency, and cavitation control.
Proven experience designing pump components such as impellers, volutes, shafts, seals, bearings, and housings.
Proficiency with CAD software, such as SolidWorks, for 3D modeling, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
Experience using analysis tools, including CFD or similar methods, to predict and optimize pump performance.
Ability to independently execute design tasks and drive projects from concept through detailed design and validation.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot performance or reliability issues and implement effective design improvements.
Experience supporting prototype builds and validating designs through performance testing, with the ability to correlate test data to analytical models.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex mechanical and hydraulic systems.
Effective communication skills, with the ability to work comfortably and collaboratively in a cross-functional, on-site engineering environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Familiarity with plastic injection molding and its impact on component design and manufacturability.
Experience in new product development, taking products from concept through launch.
Experience in sustaining engineering, including continuous improvement of existing products.
Ability to balance innovative engineering solutions with practical considerations of cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Wheeling, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $120000.00/yr.
Company benefits including medical, dental and 401K
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Wheeling,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 29, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.