Manufacturing Engineer 3

Actalent; Pontiac (IL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Pre-tax and Roth contributions

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Pontiac, IL seeks a Manufacturing Engineer III to optimize production processes, blending hands-on shop floor work with lab and CAD-based analysis.

You will study time, motion, and methods, validate and improve processes, interpret drawings, lead process improvements, and ensure quality and reliability across manufacturing operations. This contract role requires collaboration with engineering and production teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required as described in the posting.
• Experience with PCN (process change notifications) and related documentation for manufacturing changes/validations.
• Ability to document findings in testing/validation reports with detail.
• Experience working with prototype design and validation in lab and shop floor.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Study time, motion, methods, and operating speeds to establish standard production rates and improve efficiency.
• Interpret drawings, schematics, and formulas; collaborate with teams to maintain quality and reliability standards.
• Review logs, sheets, and specifications to verify records meet QA specs and production requirements.
• Plan work assignments based on performance, machine capacity, and schedules to optimize throughput.
• Prepare charts and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, and floor layouts for process transparency.
• Observe workers and equipment to ensure QA compliance and safety practices.
• Evaluate data and write reports to validate standards or identify deviations; recommend improvements.
• Lead process improvements and validation activities, troubleshooting on shop floor and in the lab.
• Participate in prototype design, validation, and testing to ensure manufacturability and efficiency.

Skills

Process improvement

Engineering drawings

Blueprints interpretation

Communication

Analytical problem-solving

Team collaboration

CAD tools

Process validation

Prototype validation

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer IIIJob Description

This Manufacturing Engineer III role focuses on applying engineering theory and principles to optimize industrial layouts and manufacturing production processes. The engineer analyzes time, motion, and methods, validates and improves manufacturing processes, and ensures that production operations meet established quality and reliability standards. This position combines hands‑on work on the shop floor and in the lab with office‑based analysis, documentation, and design activities.

Responsibilities

• Study time, motion, methods, and operating speeds involved in maintenance, production, and other operations to establish standard production rates and improve overall efficiency.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, and formulas, and collaborate with engineering and leadership teams to define and maintain quality and reliability standards.
• Review worker logs, product processing sheets, and specification sheets to verify that records comply with quality assurance specifications and production requirements.
• Aid in planning work assignments based on worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, and anticipated delays to optimize throughput and resource utilization.
• Prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization, supporting continuous improvement and process transparency.
• Observe workers using equipment to confirm that equipment is operated and maintained in accordance with quality assurance standards and safety practices.
• Observe workers operating equipment or performing tasks and use timing devices to determine time requirements and fatigue rates, supporting ergonomic and productivity improvements.
• Evaluate data and write detailed reports to validate existing standards or identify deviations, and recommend corrective actions or process improvements.
• Lead and support manufacturing process improvement and validation activities, including troubleshooting issues on the shop floor and in the lab.
• Participate in prototype design, validation, and testing, ensuring new processes and products are manufacturable, efficient, and compliant with quality standards.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, identify root causes of performance or quality issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) and other engineering software tools to develop sketches, engineering drawings, and documentation that support manufacturing operations.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing process improvement and validation, with a strong focus on efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Ability to make accurate sketches, engineering drawings, and common engineering computations to support design and process documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports used in manufacturing and quality assurance.
• Strong creativity combined with verbal and written communication skills to present findings, recommendations, and technical information clearly.
• Proven analytical and problem‑solving ability to diagnose complex manufacturing issues and develop effective solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player and maintain a high level of attention to detail in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Previous experience with computer applications and software related to the engineering field, including Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering, process improvement, validation, and troubleshooting of manufacturing processes.
• Hands‑on experience with manufacturing process analysis, prototype validation, and interpreting blueprints and technical documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required in the primary description; a bachelors degree is also described as desired but not strictly required in the qualification section.
• Experience with PCN (process change notifications) and related documentation for manufacturing changes and validations.
• Ability to perform detailed manufacturing process analysis and document findings in testing and validation reports.
• Experience working with prototype design and validation in a lab and shop floor environment.
• Displays attributes of a critical thinker and leverages innovative ideas to improve processes and resolve complex issues.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, reports, and process improvement initiatives simultaneously.
• Comfort with cross-functional collaboration between engineering, production, quality, and other operational teams.

Work Environment

The role operates in a mixed office, shop floor, and lab environment, with approximately 30% of time spent in the office and 70% on the shop floor and in the lab. Office work focuses on PCN documentation, testing reports, prototype design, and manufacturing process analysis, often using CAD and other engineering software tools. Shop floor and lab activities involve hands‑on operation, troubleshooting of manufacturing processes, and prototype validation, requiring close observation of equipment and worker activities. The environment emphasizes adherence to quality assurance standards, safe equipment operation, and collaboration with production and engineering teams. Attire typically aligns with a professional manufacturing and lab setting, including any required safety gear and protective equipment appropriate for shop floor and lab work.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.50 - $37.50/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)

Job Type & Location

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Pontiac,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 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.