AfterQueryVerified listing

Mechanical Engineering Expert

88/hr

Remote

contract

Posted September 12, 2026

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Listing checked September 17, 2026 · pay as published by AfterQuery

Key details

Pay: $88/hr
Location: Remote
Job type: contract
Posted: September 12, 2026

Overview

AfterQuery assigns short mechanical design engagements for an early-stage Y Combinator-backed company, and each project runs about two to three weeks of asynchronous work. You choose which projects to accept, then deliver CAD models, drawings and engineering analysis on hardware that actually ships. Expect variety between assignments: a DFM review of a machined part on one project, a tolerance stack-up or assembly drawing package on the next. Typical load sits around 10 to 20 hours per week across the projects you take on.

What You'll Do6

Build and refine CAD models for individual parts, multi-part assemblies and larger mechanical systems.
Turn models into production-grade engineering drawings with correct dimensioning, tolerancing and callouts.
Assemble bills of materials and supporting technical documentation that a manufacturer can work from.
Run stress checks, tolerance stack-ups and design for manufacturability reviews on proposed designs.
Carry concepts through prototyping and into a design release that is ready for production.
Record the reasoning behind each design choice, plus the assumptions and methods used, so another engineer can reproduce the result.

Requirements8

Two to four years of professional work in mechanical engineering, product design or a closely related discipline.
Fluency in at least one major CAD package such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, CATIA or NX.
A track record of producing detailed mechanical designs and drawings that meet industry standards.
Bachelor's degree or above in mechanical engineering, product design or another engineering field.
Ability to take a technical task from framing through completion without daily supervision.
Preferred: hands-on experience with FEA or simulation work in ANSYS, Abaqus, SolidWorks Simulation or a comparable tool.
Preferred: knowledge of manufacturing routes such as CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal fabrication or additive manufacturing.
Preferred: background in hardware startups, product development consultancies, systems integration, mechatronics or electromechanical design.

Who Should Apply

Mechanical engineers with two to four years of design work behind them who can show finished CAD models and manufacturing-ready drawings. Candidates comfortable moving between simulation, DFM checks and documentation on short, self-directed projects fit best.

Salary Insight

The listing sets pay at $88.00 per hour, with project-based rates reaching up to $100 per hour for some scopes. That sits well above typical salaried equivalents for engineers at the two-to-four-year mark, which reflects the short-term, project-by-project structure rather than a long-term package.

Pay and demand for Software Engineering roles

Market estimates from live NearSkill listings — separate from this job's published terms.

Aggregated

This role · as published

$88/hr

Taken from the listing itself.

Typical pay · estimated

$80/hour

Median of 375 similar roles that publish pay · 47 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave

Most Software Engineering roles pay $55–$100 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.

Typical rangeMedian payThis role

Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.

Live similar roles: 488
Listed in last 30 days: 282
Remote: 91%

Hiring most right now: micro1 (159) · Turing (69) · Mercor (61)

Most requested skills · share of roles

python
29%
code review
16%
debugging
15%
javascript
14%

Figures from Software Engineering roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.

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Required skills

SolidworksAutocadFusion 360CatiaSiemens NxMechanical DesignCad ModelingEngineering DrawingsGd&tTolerance AnalysisDfmBom GenerationAnsysAbaqusSolidworks SimulationFeaCnc MachiningInjection MoldingSheet Metal FabricationAdditive ManufacturingProduct DevelopmentMechatronicsSystems Integration

How applying works

1. Pre-screen on NearSkill
A quick application on NearSkill checks your fit against this role.
2. Finish on the employer’s site
We hand you to AfterQuery’s official application page to complete the form.
3. Wait for a response
The employer’s hiring team reviews applications and gets back to you.