Manufacturing Engineer

ACTalent; Salem (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with automotive experience for a long-term contract in Salem, IL. You will provide day-to-day engineering support for automotive assembly operations and drive process improvements.

Responsibilities include analyzing layouts, tooling, PFMEA/APQP docs, and leading continuous improvement to meet milestones across product refresh programs. This onsite role offers a stable project with exposure to multiple lines and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• Automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with APQP, PFMEA, and process design is expected.
• Proven ability in process improvement and lean manufacturing.
• Experience developing process flows, tooling, fixturing, and assembly processes.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day manufacturing engineering support for automotive assembly operations.
• Analyze and improve assembly line layouts, workflow, tooling, fixturing, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain APQP documentation including PFMEA, Process Flow Charts, and Process Design Sheets.
• Support prototype and pre-production builds while ensuring manufacturing readiness.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, throughput, and cost reduction.
• Identify tooling, equipment, and process requirements for new and existing programs.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Program Management, and Production teams to meet milestones.
• Support new product introductions and product refresh programs from concept through launch.

Skills

Automotive manufacturing experience

APQP

PFMEA

Process Flow Development

Assembly Processes

Tooling & Fixtures

Process Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

Problem-solving

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer (Automotive)

Automotive Manufacturing |Overtime & Per Diem

Are you a Manufacturing Engineer with automotive experience looking for a long-term project supporting high-volume production and new product launches? We are seeking Manufacturing Engineers to support a major automotive manufacturing facility undergoing significant product refreshes

across multiple product lines. This is an opportunity to work on impactful projects involving assembly processes, tooling, APQP activities, process improvements, and new product introduction efforts.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Automotive Manufacturing Environment: Work directly within a fast-paced automotive production facility supporting assembly operations, process improvements, and product launches.

Excellent Per Diem Package: Consultants living 50+ miles from the facility and maintaining a permanent residence may qualify for Per Diem for up to 12 months.

Long-Term Project Stability: Support an extensive product refresh initiative spanning over 30 product lines, with additional programs planned.

Growth Potential: Strong performers may have the opportunity to pursue long-term career opportunities if desired.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide day-to-day manufacturing engineering support for automotive assembly operations.
• Analyze and improve assembly line layouts, workflow, tooling, fixturing, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop and maintain APQP documentation including:
• PFMEA
• Process Flow Charts
• Process Design Sheets
• Support prototype and pre-production builds while ensuring manufacturing readiness.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, throughput, and cost reduction.
• Identify tooling, equipment, and process requirements for new and existing programs.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Program Management, and Production teams to achieve project milestones.
• Support new product introductions and product refresh programs from concept through launch.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
• 2+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience.
• Automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with:
• APQP
• PFMEA
• Process Flow Development
• Assembly Processes
• Tooling & Fixtures
• Process Improvement
• Lean Manufacturing
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a production environment and collaborate across multiple department

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $61.00/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 jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Salem,IL.

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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.