Description The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for leading aspects of mechanical design and development of our diagnostic platform and associated projects. Principal Mechanical Engineer will perform the following tasks with minimal supervision. + Leading technical development: Create, review, & guide others to develop requirements, designs, documentation, prototypes, test strategies, and analysis/test reports. + Proactively identify technical/development risks and offer solutions. Provide clarity and decisiveness to the team, given limited information, while escalating decisions where necessary. + Development planning & reporting: Create and manage realistic project plans that may have a 6+ month horizon, and significant uncertainty/risks/issues. This includes defining scope, deliverables, strategies, timelines, resources and budgets. Also guide others to plan & manage less complex projects. + Managing external partners: Where applicable, recommend & work with external development partners to define scope/deliverables, track progress and budget, and ensure their output. Other: + Work closely with other engineering disciplines and teams (both in UK & US), in particular the science, software and commercial teams to ensure compatibility of designs/deliverables between projects in-line with company objectives. + Set high standards of technical delivery. Implement ways of working to help the team develop quickly and efficiently, while maintaining quality. + Mentor and line manage less experienced members of the team, and promote a positive, collaborative team environment + Other duties as assigned (e.g. recruitment, transfer to CMO) Skills Design, Mechanical, Solidworks, Mechanical engineering, Consumables, Mechanical design, Medical device, New product development Additional Skills & Qualifications + Mechanical Engineering or Design Engineering with 10+ years experience, at least 5 of which has been spent developing similar fluidics consumable products. + Significant experience in end-to end development of complex milli/microfluidic consumables (for diagnostic systems or similar). + This includes generating concepts; creating detailed CAD designs that address requirements and consider the needs of all stakeholders; design reviews; risk management; prototyping, testing & test rig design; and transfer to manufacture. + Advanced skills in Solidworks computer aided design. + Significant experience in design for injection moulding. + Able to recommend suitable rapid prototyping techniques, suppliers, and test methods to match the design & development goals. + Proficient with root cause analysis & resolving complex technical problems across disciplines. + (Preferred) Proficiency with FEA software (preferably Comsol) and hand calculations to analyze design performance. + Experience guiding more junior team members in the above, and as a reviewer. Non-Technical Skills: + Experience developing within medical device development processes (ISO 13485); can guide others on good practice, identify gaps and suggest improvements + Able to discuss technical subjects with non-technical stakeholders at a level of detail appropriate to them. + (Preferred) Awareness of user, business, regulatory needs associated with sample-to-result diagnostic systems + (Preferred) Basic understanding of assay development methodologies towards medical device designs + (Preferred) Experience overseeing third party work and deliverables Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of CARLSBAD, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $90.00/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) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in CARLSBAD,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Mar 6, 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 due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.