Engineering Manager

Actalent; California; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in California is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead a team of engineers in an aluminum casting and machining environment. You will drive process development, product launches from concept to production, and leverage advanced technologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

The role emphasizes building high-performing teams, applying Lean and Six Sigma, managing PFMEA and ISO 9001:2015 compliance, and partnering with Production and Quality to deliver scalable tooling and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• 9+ years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams on multiple projects.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical direction for all engineering operations within the plant.
• Lead NPI from concept to launch, ensuring on-time delivery that meets customer requirements.
• Plan and design manufacturing processes, including layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and workforce utilization.
• Establish engineering standards for design, manufacturing methods, machine selection, gating systems, and cost-effective decisions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Production, and Quality to ensure scalable tooling and processes.
• Champion continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Oversee PFMEA development, risk mitigation, and process validation.
• Ensure ISO 9001:2015 quality management system compliance, including non-conforming materials handling and corrective actions.
• Oversee warranty claims, product returns, and rework activities.
• Govern engineering documentation and controls, including CAD standards and CNC program verification.
• Lead capital and manufacturing improvement initiatives with budgeting input and leadership coordination.
• Monitor and drive engineering KPIs to ensure efficiency, quality, and on-time launches.
• Maintain regular on-site leadership presence to support plant operations and team development.
• Manage and develop the engineering department with clear direction and accountability.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and implement best practices across the plant.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering

Master’s degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering

Tools

CAD standards

CNC programming verification

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Engineering Manager

Job Description

Ready to shape the future of manufacturing? The Engineering Manager is a key leader responsible for driving innovation, operational excellence, and manufacturing performance within a fast-paced aluminum casting and machining environment. Leading a team of engineers, you will develop robust, scalable processes, launch new products from concept to production, and leverage advanced technologies to continuously improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This is an opportunity to build high-performing teams, solve complex challenges, and make a measurable impact on the success of the business.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical direction for all engineering operations within the manufacturing plant.
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) from concept through launch, ensuring optimal process selection and on-time delivery that meets customer requirements.
• Plan and design manufacturing processes, including the layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and workforce utilization to maximize efficiency.
• Establish engineering standards for design, manufacturing methods, machine selection, gating systems, and cost-effective value-added decisions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Production, and Quality to ensure efficient, manufacturable, and scalable tooling and processes.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity metrics.
• Oversee PFMEA development, implement risk mitigation strategies, and lead process validation to ensure robust and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Ensure full compliance and continuous improvement of the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, including oversight of non-conforming materials, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and verification of effectiveness.
• Oversee warranty claims, product returns, and rework activities to ensure timely resolution and prevent recurrence.
• Govern engineering documentation and controls, including CAD standards, tooling and fixturing prints, CNC program verification, and implementation of production documentation.
• Lead capital and manufacturing improvement initiatives, including research, justification, budgeting input, reporting, and coordination with leadership.
• Monitor and drive engineering key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure production efficiency, product quality, cosmetic standards, and on-time launch performance.
• Maintain regular and dependable on-site leadership presence to support plant operations and foster team development.
• Manage and develop the engineering department, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability.
• Analyze existing processes and systems to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and implement best practices across the plant.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• 9+ years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with standard concepts, practices, and procedures in the aluminum casting and machining field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven track record of driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications for analysis, reporting, and communication.
• Strong technical ability with a deep understanding of manufacturing methods and procedures.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze, research, and report findings clearly.
• Strategic leadership and interpersonal skills to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Effective communication and documentation skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Process management skills, including planning, organizing, and executing complex engineering projects.
• Strong decision-making skills with a high level of accountability.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in aluminum casting and machining.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives in a high-volume automotive or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.
• PFMEA development, risk mitigation, and process validation.
• Experience with CAD standards, tooling and fixturing design, and CNC program verification.