Manufacturing Engineer

Actalent; Kentwood (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% annual bonus

80 hours PTO

72 hours personal time

Direct-hire opportunity

Long-term advancement and development

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in Kentwood, MI for a permanent role focused on driving high-performance precision manufacturing. You will develop and refine processes, support capital equipment planning, and lead continuous improvement initiatives to ensure quality, cost efficiency and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of manufacturing experience, strong GD&T, APQP/PPAP and PFMEA skills, and hands-on CNC exposure.

Qualifications

• BS engineering or related technical degree is preferred.
• Minimum 3+ years manufacturing experience on production floors.
• Experience with GD&T and reading complex drawings is required.
• Proven APQP/PPAP and PFMEA application on programs.
• Proficient in SPC and root-cause problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product teams to develop standardized procedures and documentation for high-quality, cost-efficient manufacturing.
• Provide technical support for capital equipment planning and implementation to enhance capabilities.
• Design and optimize manufacturing processes and tooling for current lines and new launches.
• Lead APQP teams and continuous improvement initiatives using the project framework.
• Create and maintain process documentation, work instructions and cost standards.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates for new parts and update customer quotations based on analyses.
• Train operators on machine operations, SPC, interpretation of documents, and process improvements.
• Interpret GD&T drawings to ensure manufacturability and compliance with specs.
• Ensure adherence to QMS and EMS in all activities.
• Apply root cause analysis to resolve production issues and prevent recurrence.
• Use lean methods to identify waste and improve workflow and OE.
• Support PPAP, PFMEA and other quality planning tools for robust design and launch readiness.

Skills

GD&T

APQP / PPAP

PFMEA / SPC

Root cause analysis

Process / manufacturing engineering

Lean / continuous improvement

Technical documentation & drawings

CNC machining experience

Tools

Mazak

Haas

Index

Miyano

Citizen

Tornos

Job description

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on a fast-paced production floor, driving high-performance precision manufacturing through innovative thinking and advanced machining technologies. You will develop and refine manufacturing processes, support capital equipment planning, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that ensure consistent quality, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.

This Manufacturing Engineer role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on a fast-paced production floor, driving high-performance precision manufacturing through innovative thinking and advanced machining technologies. You will develop and refine manufacturing processes, support capital equipment planning, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that ensure consistent quality, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product and cross-functional teams to develop standardized procedures and documentation that support consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective manufacturing.
• Provide technical support for capital equipment planning, selection, justification, and implementation to enhance production capabilities.
• Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes and tooling for current production lines and new product launches.
• Lead Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) teams and continuous improvement initiatives using the Project Launch Guide and the production system framework.
• Create, maintain, and improve accurate process documentation, work instructions, and cost standards to ensure repeatable and efficient operations.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates for new parts and update existing customer quotations based on process, material, and cycle time analysis.
• Train operators on machine operations, statistical process control (SPC), document interpretation, and process improvement methodologies.
• Interpret complex technical drawings and apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles to ensure manufacturability and compliance with specifications.
• Ensure adherence to the Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) requirements in all manufacturing activities.
• Apply root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques to resolve production issues and prevent recurrence.
• Use lean manufacturing principles to identify waste, improve workflow, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness.
• Support and participate in PPAP processes, PFMEA activities, and other quality planning tools to ensure robust process design and launch readiness.

Essential Skills

• BS Engineering + 3+ years manufacturing experience
• GD&T
• APQP / PPAP
• PFMEA / SPC
• Root cause analysis
• Process / manufacturing engineering
• Lean / continuous improvement
• Technical documentation & drawings
• CNC machining experience

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• CNC lathes: Mazak, Haas, Index, Miyano
• Swiss lathes: Citizen, Tornos
• Cost estimating
• Manufacturing software systems

Work Environment

This role is based in a modern manufacturing facility where you will split your time between office and production floor activities, spending approximately 75% of your time at a desk and 25% on the floor supporting operations. The position follows a mandatory 10-hour workday, totaling around 45 hours per week, reflecting the dynamic nature of the production environment. You will work closely with precision machining technologies, including CNC lathes (24 axis and 5+ axis) and CNC Swiss lathes from manufacturers such as Haas, Citizen, Tornos, Index, and Miyano. The environment emphasizes quality, safety, and continuous improvement, with established Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) practices guiding daily operations. Collaboration with operators and engineering teams on the shop floor is a regular part of the role, requiring comfort moving between office-based engineering tasks and hands‑on process support.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Kentwood, MI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $120000.00/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.

• Salary up to $120,000 annually
• 5% annual bonus opportunity
• 80 hours PTO
• 72 hours personal time
• Direct-hire opportunity
• Long-term advancement and development opportunities

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Kentwood, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kentwood,MI.

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.