Manufacturing Engineer

Actalent; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Rockford, IL is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer to develop clear work instructions and production documentation for assembly and packaging lines. You will drive continuous improvement, analyze data to cut cycle time, scrap, and downtime, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to document and implement processes.

The role emphasizes lean practices, process optimization, and hands-on support for fixture design and setup documentation, with projects managed from initiation to

Qualifications

• 2+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in a production environment.
• Proven experience creating clear and comprehensive work instructions for manufacturing, assembly, or packaging operations.
• Hands-on Lean manufacturing principles and tools applied to real-world production processes.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed, user-friendly work instructions for assembly and packaging lines to ensure consistent, high-quality production.
• Develop setup sheets, work instructions, and machining procedures that support efficient and repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities related to cycle time, scrap, and downtime.
• Implement process improvements that reduce cycle time, minimize scrap, and increase equipment uptime.
• Review workflow across assembly and packaging operations and recommend layout or process changes to improve efficiency and throughput.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams to ensure new or revised processes are properly documented and implemented.
• Support fixture design activities to improve part handling, assembly accuracy, and operator ergonomics.
• Manage projects from initiation through completion, including planning, documentation, validation, and handoff to production.
• Ensure that all work instructions and process documentation remain current, accurate, and aligned with lean manufacturing principles.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and contribute ideas to enhance manufacturing performance and product quality.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Work Instructions

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description: Manufacturing Engineer

This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on developing clear, accurate work instructions and production documentation for assembly and packaging lines while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing processes. You will analyze production data, identify opportunities to reduce cycle time, scrap, and downtime, and implement practical solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and safety. The position requires strong collaboration with cross-functional teams and the ability to take projects from concept through successful completion.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed, user-friendly work instructions for assembly and packaging lines to ensure consistent, high-quality production.
• Develop setup sheets, work instructions, and machining procedures that support efficient and repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities related to cycle time, scrap, and downtime.
• Implement process improvements that reduce cycle time, minimize scrap, and increase equipment uptime.
• Review and analyze workflow across assembly and packaging operations and recommend layout or process changes to improve efficiency and throughput.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams to ensure new or revised processes are properly documented and successfully implemented.
• Support fixture design activities to improve part handling, assembly accuracy, and operator ergonomics.
• Manage projects from initiation through completion, including planning, documentation, validation, and handoff to production.
• Ensure that all work instructions and process documentation remain current, accurate, and aligned with lean manufacturing principles.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and contribute ideas to enhance manufacturing performance and product quality.
  

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in a production environment.
• Proven experience creating clear and comprehensive work instructions for manufacturing, assembly, or packaging operations.
• Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing principles and tools, with the ability to apply them to real-world production processes.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze production data and use it to drive process improvements that reduce cycle time, scrap, and downtime.
• Experience working with assembly processes and packaging operations in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong ability to manage projects from beginning to end, including planning, execution, and documentation.
• Solid problem-solving skills and a data-driven approach to identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills to create documentation and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (BS) in engineering or a related technical field is strongly preferred.
• Experience in fixture design to support manufacturing, assembly, or packaging processes is a plus.
• Experience in developing machining procedures and setup documentation is beneficial.
• Prior involvement in layout or workflow optimization projects is advantageous.
• Experience working within a structured continuous improvement or lean initiative environment is desirable.
  

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockford, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $34.00 - $38.00/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
• 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 Rockford,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 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.