Manufacturing Engineer

Actalent; Pontiac (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short & long-term disability

Job summary

Actalent in Pontiac, IL is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer focused on CNC machining of very small, high-precision components. The role spends ~75% on the shop floor and 25% in the office, collaborating with machinists and production staff to troubleshoot, implement changes, and drive continuous improvements.

You will apply GD&T to drawings and maintain process instructions, change records, and documentation, while supporting setup and production.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• CNC machining experience in a precision environment.
• Hands-on, shop-floor problem solving and process improvement experience.
• GD&T proficiency and ability to apply to drawings and inspections.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily, hands-on manufacturing engineering support to CNC machining operations for very small, high-precision components.
• Spend ~75% of time on shop floor and ~25% in office, partnering with production staff to resolve issues in real time.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing problems, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve quality, throughput, and reliability.
• Develop and implement process improvements and manufacturing changes to enhance efficiency and maintain tight tolerances.
• Support setup, optimization, and ongoing production in a high-tolerance machining environment.
• Apply GD&T to ensure parts meet dimensional and geometric requirements and support clear drawings.
• Create, update, and maintain engineering documentation including process and work instructions and change records.
• Ensure process changes are documented and communicated to stakeholders on shop floor and in engineering.
• Collaborate with machinists, technicians, and engineers to improve manufacturability and resolve challenges.
• Participate in occasional special projects involving new processes or equipment while maintaining daily production focus.

Skills

CNC machining

Shop floor experience

Troubleshooting

GD&T

Team collaboration

Process improvement

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

EDM

AFM polishing

Precision grinding

Job description

Responsibilities

• - Provide daily, hands-on manufacturing engineering support to CNC machining operations, with a primary focus on very small, high-precision components.
• - Spend approximately 75% of your time on the shop floor and 25% in the office, closely partnering with production staff to resolve issues in real time.
• - Troubleshoot manufacturing problems, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions to improve quality, throughput, and reliability.
• - Develop, refine, and implement process improvements and manufacturing changes to enhance efficiency and maintain tight tolerances.
• - Support the setup, optimization, and ongoing production of very small components in a high-tolerance machining environment.
• - Apply GD&T principles to ensure parts meet dimensional and geometric requirements and to support clear, accurate engineering drawings.
• - Create, update, and maintain engineering and manufacturing documentation, including process instructions, work instructions, and change records.
• - Ensure that all process changes and improvements are properly documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders on the shop floor and in engineering.
• - Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including machinists, technicians, and other engineers, to improve manufacturability and resolve technical challenges.
• - Participate in occasional special projects that may involve new processes, new equipment, or design-for-manufacturing initiatives, while maintaining focus on daily production support.

Essential Skills

• - 5–7 years of manufacturing engineering experience, with flexibility depending on overall experience and capabilities.
• - Proven experience working in a CNC machining environment, supporting production of precision components.
• - Strong, hands-on experience supporting manufacturing operations and working directly on the shop floor.
• - Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement effective process improvements and manufacturing changes.
• - Comfort working in a high-tolerance production setting with very small components and complex machining requirements.
• - Experience or familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and its application to engineering drawings and inspection criteria.
• - Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• - Experience with Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) processes.
• - Experience in abrasive flow or media flow polishing processes, such as AFM-type processes, used for internal surface finishing and deburring.
• - Hands-on experience with tight or high-tolerance grinding operations for precision components.
• - Proficiency with AutoCAD or other CAD/design software to support drawing creation, modification, and process documentation.
• - Ability to collaborate effectively with production and engineering teams, communicating clearly and professionally in both shop floor and office environments.

Work Environment

The role is based in a precision manufacturing environment where you spend the majority of your time on the shop floor working directly with CNC machining equipment and related processes. You will regularly interact with machinists, technicians, and other engineers in a setting focused on producing very small, high-tolerance components. The remaining portion of your time is spent in an office environment updating documentation, reviewing drawings, and planning process improvements. The facility uses technologies such as CNC machining, EDM, abrasive flow or media flow polishing, and high-tolerance grinding, supported by CAD tools like AutoCAD. The work schedule aligns with typical manufacturing operations, and you should be comfortable moving between shop floor and office settings throughout the day, following standard safety practices and appropriate industrial attire.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Pontiac, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $29.00 - $33.00/hr. 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