Test Hardware Design Engineer (ME)

Job Description

The Test Hardware Design Engineer designs and develops mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling used to verify and validate complex products in demanding aerospace and defense environments.

This role focuses on creating robust, safe, and efficient test hardware that supports environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing, while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical test fixtures, test stands, support equipment, and custom tooling to support product verification and validation activities.
• Create 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and complete fabrication packages for test hardware and related components.
• Design hardware used for environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing to meet program requirements.
• Develop mounting solutions for sensors, instrumentation, data acquisition equipment, and test articles to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
• Perform structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses to confirm that test hardware meets performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Support laboratory, manufacturing, and qualification test activities by providing technical guidance on test hardware usage and configuration.
• Coordinate fabrication, assembly, and installation of test equipment with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure timely delivery and integration.
• Develop design concepts that promote safe, repeatable, and efficient testing processes in alignment with engineering best practices.
• Troubleshoot test hardware issues and failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions and design improvements.
• Support prototype development and rapid design iterations to meet evolving test requirements and program schedules.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, and test engineers to integrate instrumentation, automation systems, and data acquisition hardware into test setups.
• Participate in design reviews and technical assessments, presenting test hardware concepts, analyses, and design decisions.
• Support root cause investigations and failure analysis activities by contributing mechanical and test hardware expertise.
• Ensure that test hardware designs consider manufacturability, maintainability, and compatibility with existing test infrastructure.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 3–8+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably in test equipment, fixtures, or related hardware.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as Creo, Solid Works, Siemens NX, or CATIA for modeling and detailing mechanical components and assemblies.
• Experience creating detailed engineering drawings and assemblies suitable for fabrication and inspection.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) in accordance with ASME Y14.5 standards.
• Hands‑on experience designing mechanical fixtures, tooling, or test equipment used in laboratory or production environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, including structural mechanics, materials selection, fastener design, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to support hardware through the full lifecycle from concept development through fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Experience working with mechanical and hardware design for test equipment, electronic packaging, and electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with test fixtures and test equipment used in aerospace or similar high‑reliability applications.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional engineering teams, including electrical, software, systems, and test engineering.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot mechanical and test hardware issues.
• Ability to coordinate with fabrication and assembly teams to ensure designs are practical and manufacturable.
• Additional Skills & Qualifications
• Background in aerospace or mechanical engineering environments with exposure to test hardware for complex systems.
• Experience with electronic packaging, PCB‑related mechanical design, and integration of RF or electronic systems into mechanical test fixtures.
• Familiarity with electromechanical systems and their mechanical integration in test stands and support equipment.
• Experience supporting environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing programs.
• Comfort working on multi-disciplinary projects involving radar, sensor technologies, autonomous platforms, space systems, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced communications or intelligence systems.
• Interest in working on mission‑driven programs that support national security, aerospace, defense, intelligence, cyber, and space initiatives.
• Desire to participate in ongoing technical training, leadership development, and cross‑functional career paths.
• Ability to work on large‑scale, multi‑year programs and contribute to long‑term hardware and test infrastructure development.

Work Environment

This role is primarily based onsite, with potential for limited hybrid flexibility depending on the nature of the work.

The position operates within advanced engineering and laboratory environments that support national security, aerospace, defense, intelligence, cyber, and space programs.

Test hardware is developed and used in facilities equipped for environmental, structural, vibration, thermal, shock, qualification, and production testing, with access to modern 3D CAD tools such as Creo, Solid Works, Siemens NX, and CATIA, as well as instrumentation and data acquisition systems.

The organization follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off, and offers opportunities to work in multiple engineering centers across several U.

S. locations.

The culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and professional growth, with strong team‑oriented values and support for technical training, leadership development, and cross‑functional career mobility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Fairfax, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $110.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment.

Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

• If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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 hybrid position in Fairfax, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 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 Clearly Rated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment.

An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team.

By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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