Who is hiring a remote contract Mechanical Engineer for fabrication and HVAC in Kennewick, WA?
Published on: Aug 7, 2026
Frontline Source Group is recruiting a fully remote contract Mechanical Engineer for an engineering client tied to Kennewick, WA, focused on validating fabrication designs, running structural and lifting analysis, and completing HVAC load calculations for containerized systems on federal projects. Frontline has completed 5,619 plus placements and holds a 98.94% retention rate.
Frontline Source Group is a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026) and a Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms honoree at #148 (2026). The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, and an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, with a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 676 plus reviews. Frontline is a member of the American Staffing Association and has operated since 2004 across 32 plus offices nationwide.
What does this remote Mechanical Engineer contract involve?
This is a fully remote contract engagement supporting engineering and design work for federal projects. The Mechanical Engineer reviews, validates, and finalizes mechanical designs for custom fabricated equipment, performs structural and lifting analysis for that equipment, and completes the heating, cooling, and ventilation load calculations for the containerized system the equipment is installed in. The engineer collaborates remotely with designers, drafters, and electrical engineers so that engineering calculations, fabrication documentation, and project deliverables meet applicable codes, client specifications, and Quality Level 3 (QL-3) commercial grade requirements.
What are the mechanical design and fabrication responsibilities?
- Review and validate existing mechanical designs created in SolidWorks, Inventor, and similar CAD platforms, including weldments, sheet metal, and multi-body assemblies
- Provide engineering oversight and technical direction to drafters and designers
- Review and produce fabrication drawings, weld schedules, inspection requirements, and general engineering notes suitable for release to a fabricator
- Review bills of material, fabrication packages, and engineering documentation prior to client submission
- Support engineering deliverables for custom fabricated laboratory equipment, shielding systems, glove boxes, and related mechanical assemblies
What are the structural and lifting systems responsibilities?
- Perform and validate structural analysis of fabricated weldments carrying high-density shielding, reporting maximum allowable distributed and point load, governing limit state, deflection, member and weld utilization, and anchorage reactions at each support
- Analyze the overhead hoist runway beam and its supporting framing for vertical, lateral, and longitudinal loads, including the complete load path from trolley through beam clamp into the container structure
- Confirm hoist, trolley, and runway compatibility, including rated capacity, flange range, impact allowance, and deflection limits
- Verify lifting attachments and hoist rings on equipment lifted as a complete unit, applying applicable ASME, AISC 360, and AWS D1 standards in the analysis and resulting fabrication documentation
What are the HVAC, cooling, and ventilation responsibilities?
- Perform heating and cooling load calculations, accounting for the insulated envelope, solar gain on the container shell, and internal heat gains from equipment, lighting, and personnel
- Verify sizing of the portable, self-contained air conditioning unit, including capacity derating at the actual condenser inlet temperature, condenser heat rejection path, room pressure effects, and condensate collection and removal
- Verify the ventilation arrangement against required air change rates and containment pressure differentials, including the wall-mounted exhaust fan
- Update the mechanical specification to reflect calculation results
What are the documentation and review responsibilities?
- Ensure engineering documentation complies with applicable codes, client specifications, and QL-3 commercial grade requirements
- Document assumptions, design conditions, references, and calculation basis suitable for QL-3 submittal and independent review
- Collaborate with electrical engineers throughout the design process and with an external structural engineer on shared load paths
- Participate in engineering reviews, issue formal comment logs, and resolve technical design questions
What background and qualifications does this Mechanical Engineer role require?
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- 8 plus years of mechanical engineering experience, including 3 plus years supporting custom fabricated equipment, weldments, or heavy fabrication
- Demonstrated experience performing, documenting, and defending structural and load calculations for fabricated equipment and lifting systems
- Demonstrated HVAC load calculation experience, including packaged or portable direct-expansion cooling equipment
- Knowledge of SolidWorks, including Simulation, and comfort working with STEP geometry
- U.S. citizenship and the ability to work independently in a fully remote engagement
Preferred qualifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE) license
- Experience with overhead hoists or crane runway design
- Experience with below-the-hook and structural lifting devices
- Experience with containment ventilation, pressure cascade design, or negative-pressure enclosures
- Experience with modular, containerized, or transportable facility systems
- Experience with commercial grade dedication and graded quality levels, ideally QL-3
- Experience reviewing and approving the work of CAD designers and drafters
Is this Mechanical Engineer role fully remote?
Yes. This is a 100 percent remote contract engagement open to U.S. citizens who can work independently in a fully remote setting. The engineer coordinates with designers, drafters, electrical engineers, and an external structural engineer through virtual collaboration while supporting a client tied to Kennewick, WA.
Why work with a Frontline Source Group engineering recruiter on this contract?
A Frontline Source Group recruiter on the engineering desk manages this search, matching mechanical engineering professionals to contract roles that fit their fabrication, structural, and HVAC analysis depth. Frontline recruits engineering talent nationwide, and you can learn more about the firm's engineering search practice at frontlinesourcegroup.com/engineering.html.
How does Frontline Source Group support contract engineers?
Frontline pairs contract candidates with a dedicated recruiter who reviews the scope, clarifies deliverables, and advocates on their behalf with the hiring client. Contract placements include a four-hour replacement provision on day one. Restrictions apply. With 5,619 plus placements and a 98.94% retention rate, Frontline focuses on matches that fit the technical requirements of the engagement.
How do you apply for this remote Mechanical Engineer contract?
Submit your resume through the Frontline Source Group application page at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. A recruiter reviews qualified applications and reaches out to discuss the scope, the client, and next steps. Employers with engineering contract needs can start a search through the employer request form.
Frequently Asked Questions: Remote Contract Mechanical Engineer Role
Is this Mechanical Engineer role remote?
Yes. This is a 100 percent remote contract engagement supporting a client tied to Kennewick, WA. The engineer works independently and collaborates virtually with designers, drafters, and electrical engineers.
Is this a contract or a direct hire position?
This is a contract engagement. Frontline Source Group manages contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire searches, and a recruiter can discuss which engagement types fit your goals.
How many years of experience are required?
The client requires 8 plus years of mechanical engineering experience, including 3 plus years supporting custom fabricated equipment, weldments, or heavy fabrication.
What software and standards does this role use?
The role uses SolidWorks, including Simulation, along with Inventor and similar CAD platforms and STEP geometry. Analysis applies ASME, AISC 360, and AWS D1 standards and QL-3 commercial grade requirements.
Is a Professional Engineer (PE) license required?
A PE license is preferred, not required. The client also values experience with overhead hoists, crane runway design, below-the-hook lifting devices, and containment ventilation.
Is U.S. citizenship required for this contract?
Yes. Because the work supports federal projects, U.S. citizenship is required, along with the ability to work independently in a fully remote engagement.
What kind of equipment does this engineer support?
The engineer supports custom fabricated laboratory equipment, shielding systems, glove boxes, overhead hoist and runway systems, and containerized systems with self-contained cooling and ventilation.
How do I apply for this remote Mechanical Engineer job?
Apply through the Frontline Source Group application page at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. A recruiter reviews qualified applications and reaches out to discuss the scope and next steps.
Who is Frontline Source Group?
Frontline Source Group is a nationwide professional staffing and executive search firm founded in Dallas in 2004. The firm operates 32 plus offices nationwide and has completed 5,619 plus placements across engineering and many other disciplines.
What engineering roles does Frontline Source Group fill?
Frontline recruits Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, and Industrial Engineers, along with design and drafting talent. Learn more at frontlinesourcegroup.com/engineering.html.
What is the four-hour replacement provision on contract placements?
Frontline backs contract placements with a four-hour replacement provision on day one. Restrictions apply. This gives employers confidence in the fit of each contract engineer from the start.
How does Frontline Source Group pricing work for employers?
Frontline is one of the few staffing firms with transparent pricing published online. Employers can review engagement models at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html or start a search through the employer request form.
