Engineering Manager

Actalent; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Naperville, IL is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead end-to-end order execution for complex technical projects, overseeing engineering, production, and customer communication. You will guide a multidisciplinary team, manage projects over $100K, coordinate BOMs, GD&T, and equipment specs, and mentor staff to drive continuous improvement.

The role is onsite in Naperville with a focus on collaboration, process optimization, and ensuring timely invoicing and documentation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in engineering management or operations management within an industrial or technical environment.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee complex, high‑value customer orders and technical projects.
• Solid experience in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, or manufacturing engineering.
• Ability to understand and work with technical drawings, GD&T, pump configurations, BOMs, and technical specifications.
• Experience with industrial equipment, hydraulic systems, and hydraulic pumps.
• Demonstrated capability in quality engineering or manufacturing engineering practices.
• Strong operations management skills, including workflow coordination and process optimization.
• Ability to lead technical operations and communicate effectively in the technical language of the business.
• Proven management skills with experience coaching and developing technical and operational staff.
• Ability to connect how different parts of the business work together and use that understanding to drive better outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead order execution from purchase order to completion, owning the operational process that transforms customer orders into completed and invoiced jobs.
• Ensure all required technical information, documentation, drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), approvals, and production requirements are prepared and available at the right time.
• Manage complex projects by directly overseeing the execution of customer orders over $100K through the Project Engineer.
• Coordinate complex technical packages, customer requirements, contractual terms, engineering deliverables, and internal resources to meet project commitments.
• Own operational customer communication, providing accurate and timely updates on order status and resolving technical or operational concerns.
• Close the loop on completed orders by ensuring all required documentation is finalized, orders are properly closed in the ERP system, and invoicing is completed.
• Coach team members to improve their technical, operational, and communication capabilities, focusing on long‑term development.
• Act as a future leader and mentor for Operations and Technical teams, helping to build a high-performing order execution function.

Skills

Engineering management

Operations management

Project management

Mechanical engineering

GD&T understanding

BOMs and drawings

Industrial equipment

Quality engineering

Cross-functional leadership

Mentoring teams

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description

The Engineering Manager leads end-to-end order execution, ensuring complex technical projects move seamlessly from customer purchase order through completion and invoicing. This role oversees technical operations, coordinates cross-functional resources, and builds a high-performing team that connects engineering, production, and customer communication. You will work with specialized industrial equipment, guide the operational process, and play a key role in shaping the infrastructure and processes for the next stage of the companys growth.

Job Title

Engineering Manager

Job Description

The Engineering Manager leads end-to-end order execution, ensuring complex technical projects move seamlessly from customer purchase order through completion and invoicing. This role oversees technical operations, coordinates cross-functional resources, and builds a high-performing team that connects engineering, production, and customer communication. You will work with specialized industrial equipment, guide the operational process, and play a key role in shaping the infrastructure and processes for the next stage of the companys growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead order execution from purchase order to completion, owning the operational process that transforms customer orders into completed and invoiced jobs.
• Ensure all required technical information, documentation, drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), approvals, and production requirements are prepared and available at the right time.
• Manage complex projects by directly overseeing the execution of customer orders over $100K through the Project Engineer.
• Coordinate complex technical packages, customer requirements, contractual terms, engineering deliverables, and internal resources to meet project commitments.
• Lead technical operations by reviewing and coordinating technical drawings, GD&T, pump configurations, BOMs, technical specifications, motor and mounting arrangements, and customer requirements.
• Maintain strong alignment between Production and Operations by working closely with the Workshop leadership to understand order status in the production workflow.
• Ensure your team has accurate, up-to-date information so that customer commitments reflect actual production capabilities and timelines.
• Drive accountability across the operation by clearly defining what needs to happen, who owns each task, and when deliverables must be completed.
• Identify orders at risk before they become customer problems, proactively removing roadblocks and escalating issues when necessary.
• Follow through on issues until they are fully resolved, ensuring continuity and reliability in project execution.
• Own operational customer communication, providing accurate and timely updates on order status and resolving technical or operational concerns.
• Support Sales on complex projects by serving as an escalation point when technical or operational issues require additional leadership input.
• Close the loop on completed orders by ensuring all required documentation is finalized, orders are properly closed in the ERP system, and invoicing is completed.
• Ensure aftermarket and parts orders are tracked, processed, and closed out correctly so they do not get lost in the workflow.
• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary team including a Production Drafter, Technical Author, Project Engineer, and Production Administrator.
• Coach team members to improve their technical, operational, and communication capabilities, focusing on long‑term development rather than only daily task management.
• Act as a future leader and mentor for Operations and Technical teams, helping to build a high-performing order execution function.
• Understand how different parts of the business connect and work together, and use that knowledge to improve processes and cross‑functional collaboration.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in engineering management or operations management within an industrial or technical environment.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee complex, high‑value customer orders and technical projects.
• Solid experience in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, or manufacturing engineering.
• Ability to understand and work with technical drawings, GD&T, pump configurations, BOMs, and technical specifications.
• Experience with industrial equipment, hydraulic systems, and hydraulic pumps.
• Demonstrated capability in quality engineering or manufacturing engineering practices.
• Strong operations management skills, including workflow coordination and process optimization.
• Ability to lead technical operations and communicate effectively in the technical language of the business.
• Proven management skills with experience coaching and developing technical and operational staff.
• Ability to connect how different parts of the business work together and use that understanding to drive better outcomes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in industrial engineering or related disciplines.
• Experience in mechanical, industrial, or quality engineering within an industrial equipment context.
• Familiarity with documentation processes including technical submittals, BOM creation, and part creation.
• Experience working with ERP systems for order tracking, documentation, and invoicing.
• Ability to serve as a future leader and mentor for Operations and Technical teams.
• Capacity to quickly learn and understand a specialized industrial equipment business.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with Sales, Production, and other internal stakeholders.
• Comfort working in a culture that values openness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

The work environment is clean and organized with minimal noise, offering an open floor layout that encourages collaboration and communication. It is not a traditional heavy manufacturing facility, but rather a technical and operational setting focused on industrial equipment and engineered solutions. Leadership maintains an open‑door policy, fostering accessibility, transparency, and a supportive culture. You will work closely with a talented team on technical products in an environment that emphasizes growth, process improvement, and building the infrastructure needed for the next stage of the business.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Naperville, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

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 temporary 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 Naperville,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 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.