We present a soft hydrogel-based microactuator for localized mechanical stimulation of 3D encapsulated cells. The device is fabricated using stop-flow lithography from PEGDA/PNIPAm (thermoresponsive) and PEGDA (passive) hydrogels. Gold nanoparticles embedded in the responsive segment enable laser-induced actuation via plasmonic heating. Upon stimulation, the top region collapses, displacing the passive arms and stretching a biocompatible hydrogel bridge containing cells. This platform enables cyclic, localized mechanical loading under biocompatible conditions and serves as a tool for studying cellular mechanotransduction in physiologically relevant 3D environments.Current efforts focus on detailed characterization of the strain generated in the hydrogel bridge and its transfer to encapsulated cells. Ongoing work aims to quantify actuation dynamics, optimize the material composition for enhanced response, and assess the long-term stability and reproducibility of the actuation mechanism under biologically relevant conditions. This platform represents a promising tool for delivering localized mechanical stimulation in 3D cell culture systems and supports the broader development of engineering strategies in mechanobiology and soft robotics.