Manufacturing Engineer - Cost Innovation

Actalent; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 110,208,000 - 158,424,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Peoria, IL seeks a Manufacturing Engineer focused on cost innovation. You will lead projects to cut costs while improving safety and quality, optimize material flow, and program CNC and other automated processes.

Onsite role with cross-functional collaboration across fabrication, warehousing, and suppliers. The role requires hands-on engineering in manufacturing and weld processes, strong documentation practices, and experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering or closely related field.
• 1–3 years in manufacturing engineering.
• Hands-on with manufacturing assembly and welding processes.
• Strong background in process improvement and manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with supplier development activities.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and project management software.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and AutoCAD for layout design, tooling design, and process development.
• Ability to develop detailed assembly worksheets and standard work instructions.
• Knowledge of GD&T and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering projects focusing on safety, efficiency, and cost reduction.
• Improve process flows across fabrication, warehouse, and shipping operations.
• Develop routings, tool specs, and programs for automated equipment and CNC machines.
• Set up MRP to manage inventory and material planning.
• Balance sub-assembly lines and optimize layouts for efficiency.
• Develop make-versus-buy analyses and support ECNs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on existing and new models.

Skills

BS in Manufacturing/Industrial Eng

Process improvement

3D CAD/AutoCAD

Lean manufacturing

Gemba/Kaizen/PDCA

GD&T

MS Excel/PM software

CNC programming knowledge

Line balancing

SDE/supplier development

Education

Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM software

AutoCAD

MRP systems

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer – Cost InnovationJob Description

Responsibilities

• Lead and complete manufacturing engineering projects in a timely manner with a strong emphasis on safe work practices, process efficiency, and cost reduction.
• Analyze and improve process flow across fabrication, warehouse, and shipping operations, including material flow from suppliers to line-side delivery.
• Select and recommend tooling, fixtures, equipment, and systems to support current and new product models and warehouse processing of spare parts.
• Generate routings, procedures, tool specifications, and programs for automated equipment, including CNC machines, to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC) requirements.
• Program CNC machines and develop manufacturing processes for fabricating, welding, painting, and assembly operations to ensure parts are produced to print.
• Review and optimize layouts for manufacturing and warehouse areas, maintaining up-to-date layouts and developing standards for all processes.
• Update production routings to coordinate fabrication and assembly flow, confirm and report proper costing, and coordinate the introduction of Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
• Set up operations within the MRP system to manage warehouse inventory and support accurate material planning.
• Develop manpower requirements for assigned production and warehouse areas to support changing production volumes and appropriate staffing levels.
• Understand and support capital and departmental budgets to manage costs while improving safety, quality, and process performance.
• Ensure sub-assembly, main line stations, and warehouse processes are balanced, and review standard times regularly for accuracy.
• Develop packaging requirements for spare parts, suppliers, and third-party logistics (3PL) partners to ensure safe and efficient handling.
• Resolve safety, quality, delivery, and cost issues promptly by applying structured problem-solving and root cause analysis with effective countermeasures.
• Design ergonomic handling devices and solutions for manufacturing and warehouse operations to reduce risk and improve operator safety.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing tools such as line balancing, 5S, Standard Work Instructions, Gemba, Kaizen, PDCA, Poka-Yoke, and Visual Factory to drive continuous improvement.
• Perform time studies to determine best manufacturing and warehouse practices and develop make-versus-buy analyses to support strategic decisions.
• Identify bottlenecks in production and warehouse processes, recommend improvements, and implement changes to increase efficiency.
• Support departmental goals by applying engineering experience to resolve assigned tasks in a timely and effective manner.
• Ensure all relevant documents, standards, and work instructions are updated to reflect process changes and improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including fabrication, warehousing, and suppliers, to confirm process flow for existing, revised, and new models.
• Carry out other engineering and process improvement activities as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 1 to 3 years of experience in the manufacturing engineering field.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing assembly and welding processes.
• Strong background in process improvement, manufacturing engineering, and process engineering.
• Experience with supplier development or supplier development engineering (SDE) activities.
• Proficiency with computer applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and project management software.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and AutoCAD for layout design, tooling design, and process development.
• High-level skill in setting standards, driving method improvements, and designing efficient layouts for manufacturing and warehouse operations.
• Experience with assembly tooling and fixtures, line balancing, and equipment justification.
• Ability to develop detailed assembly worksheets and standard work instructions.
• High-level knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to develop processes that produce high-quality parts.
• Strong process improvement skills, including familiarity with Six Sigma methodologies.
• Excellent verbal, written, and phone communication skills.
• Ability to manage and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail in all engineering and documentation activities.
• Demonstrated patience, persistence, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to comply with all environmental and safety rules and practices.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing and warehouse environments.
• background in medical device manufacturing or other regulated industries is beneficial.
• Experience in supplier selection and supplier development activities.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing concepts such as 5S, Kaizen, Gemba, PDCA, Poka-Yoke, line balancing, and Visual Factory.
• Experience performing time studies and developing make-versus-buy analyses.
• Ability to design ergonomic handling devices and material handling solutions.
• Comfort working with CNC programming and CAD/CAM software for automated equipment.
• Project management skills, including use of project planning tools and effective cross-functional communication.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain up-to-date layouts, standards, and documentation.
• Onsite work capability in a manufacturing and warehouse environment, with readiness to collaborate closely with production and supplier teams.

Work Environment

The role is based onsite in a manufacturing and warehouse setting that includes fabrication, welding, painting, assembly, and shipping operations. The environment involves working closely with automated equipment such as CNC machine tools, as well as using CAD/CAM, 3D CAD, AutoCAD, MRP systems, and standard office software. The engineer collaborates directly with production, warehouse, and supplier teams, engaging in line-side activities, Gemba walks, and hands‑on process observations. Work typically involves a standard full‑time schedule, with flexibility to support production needs and project deadlines. The culture emphasizes safety, continuous improvement, lean practices, and cross‑functional teamwork, offering opportunities to lead impactful cost innovation and efficiency projects across the entire production and warehouse process.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $115000.00/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 Peoria,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

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.