Manufacturing Engineer

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

Job summary

Actalent is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer in Salem, IL to provide day-to-day technical support for assembly processes in a plant setting. The role emphasizes optimizing efficiency, improving methods, and supporting new product introductions, with a focus on APQP documentation and project milestone tracking.

The successful candidate will analyze line layouts, develop PFMEA and Process Flow charts, and lead activities for prototype and pre-production parts, ensuring manufacturability and process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 2 to 4+ years of related manufacturing experience.
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Proficiency in analyzing and optimizing manufacturing processes, including line layout, workflow, and tooling.
• Ability to develop APQP documentation such as PFMEA, Process Flow Charts, and Process Design Sheets.
• Experience with tooling and machining in a production environment.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to create and manage detailed engineering schedules that support program timelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily technical support to assembly operations and resolve production issues.
• Train production staff on assembly processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Analyze assembly line layouts, workflow, and tooling to maximize efficiency and throughput.
• Develop and maintain APQP requirements including PFMEA, Process Flow Charts, and Process Design Sheets.
• Lead and participate in prototype and pre-production part builds for manufacturability and robustness.
• Prepare and distribute ISIRs for prototype and pre-production parts.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

APQP

PFMEA

Line layout optimization

Process scheduling

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer provides day-to-day technical support and training for assembly processes in a plant environment, with a strong focus on optimizing efficiency, improving manufacturing methods, and supporting new product introduction activities. This role plays a key part in analyzing and refining assembly line layouts, developing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) documentation, and ensuring that project milestones are met through detailed engineering schedules.

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer provides day-to-day technical support and training for assembly processes in a plant environment, with a strong focus on optimizing efficiency, improving manufacturing methods, and supporting new product introduction activities. This role plays a key part in analyzing and refining assembly line layouts, developing Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) documentation, and ensuring that project milestones are met through detailed engineering schedules.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily technical support to assembly operations and serve as a resource for resolving production issues.
• Train production staff and other team members on assembly processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Analyze assembly line layouts, workflow, assembly methods, change-over fixturing, gauges, work-in-process (WIP) storage, and tool storage to maximize efficiency and throughput.
• Develop and maintain Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) requirements, including Process Failure Mode & Effect Analysis (PFMEA), Process Flow Charts, and Process Design Sheets.
• Lead and participate in activities to build prototype and pre-production sample parts, ensuring manufacturing feasibility and process robustness.
• Prepare and distribute Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIR) to internal stakeholders for prototype and pre-production parts.
• Support program management macro-schedules by creating and maintaining detailed engineering micro-schedules that track tasks, deliverables, and project milestones.
• Ensure all project milestones related to manufacturing engineering are completed on time and in alignment with overall program timelines.
• Identify process equipment load requirements, tooling and equipment needs, and opportunities to implement new processes to support production and product refresh initiatives.
• Communicate process, tooling, and equipment requirements clearly to appropriate internal team members and collaborate cross-functionally to implement improvements.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement efforts within an automotive manufacturing environment, focusing on quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 2 to 4+ years of related manufacturing experience.
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Strong experience in manufacturing engineering and assembly processes.
• Proficiency in analyzing and optimizing manufacturing processes, including line layout, workflow, and tooling.
• Ability to develop and maintain APQP documentation such as PFMEA, Process Flow Charts, and Process Design Sheets.
• Experience with tooling and machining in a production environment.
• Demonstrated capability in process improvement within a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to create and manage detailed engineering schedules that support broader program timelines.
• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and present technical information.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Manufacturing engineering experience within the automotive industry.
• Knowledge of design for manufacturability and its application to prototype and pre-production parts.
• Familiarity with Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIR) and related quality documentation.
• Experience working on product refresh projects across multiple product lines.
• Ability to lead and participate in cross-functional teams focused on new product introduction and process changes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Willingness to consider longer-term opportunities in a plant-based environment.

Work Environment

This role is based fully on site in a plant environment and operates Monday through Friday on a first-shift schedule. Weekly hours typically range from 40 to 52, depending on project and production needs. Weekend work is rare, but engineers rotate on-call responsibilities to support occasional off-hours requirements. The work environment involves hands-on interaction with assembly lines, tooling, machining equipment, and automotive manufacturing processes, offering long-term project work related to product refresh across numerous product lines.

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 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 Salem,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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.

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.