AI Engineer

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 89,544 - 103,320; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Fayetteville, TN is seeking an AI Process Engineer to apply machine data, AI, and process analytics to optimize manufacturing across facilities. You will design data-driven solutions to improve uptime, throughput, quality, and overall efficiency, collaborating with operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership to deliver measurable business value on the plant floor.

The role emphasizes building dashboards, alerts, and analytics frameworks, traveling between sites as needed,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience working in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with manufacturing systems, machine data, IoT technologies, and operational analytics.
• Demonstrated success leveraging AI, machine data, automation, or advanced analytics to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, quality, or operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable operational improvements.
• Experience with SQL for querying and managing structured data from manufacturing systems and databases.
• Experience with Python for data analysis, scripting, and building analytics or AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience with Power BI or similar analytics and reporting tools to create dashboards and visualizations for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support AI-enabled manufacturing optimization initiatives across production facilities, focusing on improving uptime, throughput, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Support and advance machine analytics initiatives, including existing manufacturing intelligence projects such as Pocket Watch and related tools.
• Develop and maintain machine monitoring dashboards that provide real-time visibility into equipment performance and key production metrics.
• Create automated operational alerts that notify teams of anomalies, deviations, or performance issues to enable timely intervention.
• Analyze machine, downtime, scrap, and production data to identify process improvement opportunities and recommend corrective actions.
• Support predictive maintenance initiatives by analyzing machine data and identifying failure patterns to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Assist in improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by optimizing equipment availability, performance, and quality output.
• Contribute to increasing throughput, uptime, and quality performance through data-driven process improvements and AI-driven solutions.
• Develop automated troubleshooting tools and process guidance systems to support manufacturing operators in resolving issues quickly and consistently.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to optimize machine settings, maintenance scheduling, and overall production performance.
• Support IoT and manufacturing data collection initiatives across plant operations, ensuring reliable and consistent data capture from equipment and systems.
• Assist in developing operational key performance indicators (KPIs) and standardized manufacturing analytics frameworks to measure and track performance.
• Work across multiple manufacturing facilities, traveling as needed to support operational initiatives, project implementation, and stakeholder collaboration.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Experience with AI / machine data

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

SQL

Python

Power BI

Job description

AI Process Engineer (Must be a citizen to be eligible)

Job Description

This role focuses on using machine data, artificial intelligence, and process analytics to optimize manufacturing performance across multiple production facilities. The AI Process Engineer will drive AI-enabled operational improvement initiatives that enhance uptime, throughput, quality, and overall efficiency. Working closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams, this position will design and implement practical, data-driven solutions that deliver measurable business value in an industrial manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support AI-enabled manufacturing optimization initiatives across production facilities, focusing on improving uptime, throughput, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Support and advance machine analytics initiatives, including existing manufacturing intelligence projects such as Pocket Watch and related tools.
• Develop and maintain machine monitoring dashboards that provide real-time visibility into equipment performance and key production metrics.
• Create automated operational alerts that notify teams of anomalies, deviations, or performance issues to enable timely intervention.
• Analyze machine, downtime, scrap, and production data to identify process improvement opportunities and recommend corrective actions.
• Support predictive maintenance initiatives by analyzing machine data and identifying failure patterns to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Assist in improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by optimizing equipment availability, performance, and quality output.
• Contribute to increasing throughput, uptime, and quality performance through data-driven process improvements and AI-driven solutions.
• Develop automated troubleshooting tools and process guidance systems to support manufacturing operators in resolving issues quickly and consistently.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to optimize machine settings, maintenance scheduling, and overall production performance.
• Support IoT and manufacturing data collection initiatives across plant operations, ensuring reliable and consistent data capture from equipment and systems.
• Assist in developing operational key performance indicators (KPIs) and standardized manufacturing analytics frameworks to measure and track performance.
• Work across multiple manufacturing facilities, traveling as needed to support operational initiatives, project implementation, and stakeholder collaboration.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience working in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with manufacturing systems, machine data, IoT technologies, and operational analytics.
• Demonstrated success leveraging AI, machine data, automation, or advanced analytics to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, quality, or operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable operational improvements.
• Experience with SQL for querying and managing structured data from manufacturing systems and databases.
• Experience with Python for data analysis, scripting, and building analytics or AI-enabled solutions.
• Experience with Power BI or similar analytics and reporting tools to create dashboards and visualizations for stakeholders.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing machine monitoring dashboards and automated alerting systems.
• Exposure to predictive maintenance concepts and methodologies, including failure pattern detection and condition-based monitoring.
• Experience working on cross-functional teams that include operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and analytical concepts in a clear and practical way to non-technical audiences.
• Interest in emerging AI, IoT, and advanced analytics technologies applied to manufacturing operations.

Work Environment

This role is based in an industrial manufacturing environment and involves close collaboration with plant operations, maintenance, and engineering teams. The AI Process Engineer will work with a range of technologies, including manufacturing execution systems, machine data sources, IoT devices, and analytics platforms such as SQL databases, Python-based tools, and Power BI dashboards. The position requires periodic travel between multiple manufacturing facilities to support on-site initiatives, data collection efforts, and project implementation. Work may involve time spent on the production floor to observe equipment, understand processes, and validate data-driven solutions, as well as office-based analysis and solution development.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Fayetteville, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $75.00/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 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 fully onsite position in Fayetteville,TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 22, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.