Senior Mechanical Engineer - Siemens NX & Plastics Design in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
This is a short-term contract role via Toptal, signaling it's project-based rather than a pathway to full-time employment. That said, it carries real career value depending on your goals.
Compensation context: No salary is stated, but senior Siemens NX contractors in the plastics/injection molding space typically command $80–$150/hour USD on platforms like Toptal, which is premium-tier for freelance engineering. Toptal's vetting is rigorous, so passing their screening process itself is a resume credential.
Skills developed and market demand:
- Siemens NX proficiency is a differentiating skill — it's less common than SolidWorks/CATIA and commands higher rates in aerospace, medical device, and consumer electronics sectors.
- TPU overmolding and IP-rated enclosure design are niche, high-value competencies relevant to wearables, industrial IoT, and ruggedized consumer electronics — all fast-growing markets.
- Tolerance stack-up analysis is increasingly valued as hardware startups scale toward production.
Green flags: Fully remote, specialized work that sharpens your NX and DFM expertise. Good for portfolio-building if you're targeting hardware startups or consumer electronics companies.
Red flags to watch: "Short-term" with no duration or rate specified. Clarify project scope, expected hours per week, and total contract value before committing. Fast ramp-up expectations can lead to scope creep on fixed-price engagements.
We're looking for a highly experienced Mechanical Engineer who can hit the ground running on a fast-paced, short-term remote engagement. This is a hands-on design role for someone who thrives under tight timelines and can move from onboarding to meaningful output within days, not weeks. You'll be working deep in Siemens NX on plastics-focused design challenges, contributing directly to parts that are headed toward injection molding production.
What You'll Do
- Deliver mechanical design work in Siemens NX with a focus on plastic components for injection molding
- Design and refine TPU overmolded parts
- Manage heat insert placement and integration into plastic housings
- Apply functional dimensioning and geometric tolerancing to ensure manufacturability
- Perform tolerance stack-up analysis to validate fit and function across assemblies
- Support IP-rated enclosure design and button/user interface component design
What You Bring
- Strong, hands-on experience with Siemens NX
- Proven track record designing injection-molded plastic parts
- Experience with TPU overmolding
- Practical knowledge of heat insert management and integration
- Solid grasp of functional dimensioning and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Experience with IP-rated design
- Experience with button/user interface design
- Ability to start immediately and ramp up quickly with minimal onboarding time
To apply: https://weworkremotely.com/remote-jobs/toptal-mechanical-engineer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this mechanical engineering role fully remote?
How long is this contract expected to last?
What CAD software is required for this role?
Is prior experience with injection-molded plastics mandatory?
How quickly do I need to be available to start?
