Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer - Machining designs, implements, sustains, and improves machining and related manufacturing processes to optimize quality, safety, delivery, and cost. This role provides hands-on production support, leads process improvements, and supports new product introduction activities while working closely with cross-functional teams to resolve root causes of production issues and drive operational excellence in part fabrication and assembly.
Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer - Machining designs, implements, sustains, and improves machining and related manufacturing processes to optimize quality, safety, delivery, and cost. This role provides hands-on production support, leads process improvements, and supports new product introduction activities while working closely with cross-functional teams to resolve root causes of production issues and drive operational excellence in part fabrication and assembly.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical support to resolve production issues, including quality escalations, machine downtime, and part shortages, ensuring minimal impact on delivery and performance.
- Guide Manufacturing Engineering Technicians who provide first-response support for production issues, ensuring effective troubleshooting and resolution.
- Collect and analyze work data to establish and update part fabrication and product assembly routes in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including setup and run times and operation sequences.
- Support the accuracy and effectiveness of ERP and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for managing manufacturing processes and engineering design changes.
- Contribute to the development, standardization, and maintenance of manufacturing documentation, including standards and related procedures.
- Create and maintain detailed manufacturing work instructions, ensuring proper access, review and approval, training, and change management.
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes, reduce waste, and improve product quality using value stream mapping, kaizen, lean strategies, and six sigma methods.
- Provide written and verbal project updates with appropriate frequency and detail to stakeholders, ensuring transparency on progress, risks, and results.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to understand part, product, and process variability using structured problem-solving techniques and statistical methods, leveraging data analytics to inform decisions.
- Work with production leadership to develop, monitor, and improve a balanced scorecard with metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for quality, inventory, delivery, and safety.
- Participate in evaluating internal and external quality data to drive product and process improvements and execute assigned Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) initiatives.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts to design and implement manufacturing processes that meet all applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
- Complete assigned tasks in support of new product introduction (NPI), including participation in design reviews, tool and fixture planning, work cell design and validation, and inspection methodology development.
- Monitor and communicate NPI project progress, including risk identification and mitigation recommendations, to help achieve project targets.
- Make timely recommendations to inform capital and expense budgets, providing technical and financial justifications and alternatives where appropriate.
- Deploy new equipment and related processes, ensuring safety, training, preventive maintenance, documentation, and process controls are validated before full implementation.
- Develop competence in varied manufacturing processes such as machining, assembly, welding, and special processes, and improve machine center part families, programs, tooling, and setup standards.
- Use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems to design tools and fixtures, lay out process areas, support design reviews, and create technical documentation.
- Support appropriate quality control methods for inspection, testing, and process monitoring to ensure consistent product quality and process capability.
- Apply root cause analysis techniques to identify underlying issues and manage corrective and preventive actions through to closure.
- Plan, organize, and execute project plans for manufacturing improvements, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within scope.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience in manufacturing engineering with a focus on machining operations and production support.
- Deep understanding of CNC machining, including GD&T, reading and interpreting prints, fixtures, tooling, and machine troubleshooting.
- Hands-on experience with process improvement, including cost reduction and optimization of machining and assembly processes.
- Strong troubleshooting skills for machines and manufacturing processes, with the ability to respond quickly to production issues.
- Proficiency in root cause analysis and statistical process control for monitoring and improving process performance.
- Experience with capital expenditures (capex), including equipment selection, justification, and implementation.
- Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) activities in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using lean and six sigma methodologies.
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a relevant engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Moderate to advanced computer skills, including proficiency in 2D/3D CAD systems such as AutoCAD and Inventor.
- Solid understanding and experience with ERP/MRP and similar manufacturing systems for routing, planning, and process control.
- Effective cross-functional communication skills, including oral, written, and illustrative communication in both individual and team settings.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage changing priorities and multiple tasks.
- Ability to work independently with moderate supervision and mentorship while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Ability to develop and communicate clear recommendations with technical and financial justification to influence decisions and drive change.
- Knowledge of corporate quality management systems (QMS) and manufacturing quality and process control methodologies.
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, including the use of data analytics to support decision-making.
- Ability to develop and execute structured project plans for process and equipment improvements.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience utilizing value stream mapping, kaizen events, lean strategies, and six sigma statistical methods to reduce waste and optimize systems.
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and their integration with ERP for managing engineering changes.
- Experience creating and maintaining manufacturing work instructions and standards, including training and change management processes.
- Exposure to machining, assembly, welding, and special manufacturing processes, with the ability to improve programs, tooling, and setup standards.
- Experience supporting balanced scorecard development and KPI tracking for quality, inventory, delivery, and safety.
- Background in evaluating internal and external quality data and executing CAPA initiatives.
- Experience deploying new equipment, including validation of safety, training, preventive maintenance, documentation, and process controls.
- Lean six sigma methodology experience; formal lean or six sigma training or certification is preferred.
- Comfort working with inspection methods, testing techniques, and process monitoring tools in a manufacturing environment.
Work Environment
This role is 100% onsite in Newberg, OR, within a manufacturing environment that includes machining, assembly, and related production operations. The position is hands-on and closely integrated with the shop floor, requiring frequent interaction with production equipment, CNC machines, tooling, and inspection systems. You will work with modern ERP/MRP systems, PLM tools, and CAD/CAM software such as AutoCAD and Inventor to support process design, documentation, and continuous improvement. The work environment emphasizes safety, quality, and operational excellence, with a strong focus on structured problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. Working hours follow standard onsite manufacturing schedules, with the need to be present on the production floor to support real-time troubleshooting, process improvements, and new product introductions.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Newberg, OR.
Pay And Benefits
The pay range for this position is $94000.00 - $135000.00/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.
- 401k, profit sharing and retirement plans
- Generous PTO and holidays
- Health, dental and vision benefits
- Competitive pay and bonuses
- Access to myFlexPay, a money management app
- Parental leave benefits
- Elder care support program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Professional development programs
- A commitment to excellence, growth and promoting from within
- A beautiful campus with an on-site workout program and free parking
- An industry leading company with more than 50 years of success
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Newberg,OR.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.