Manufacturing Process Engineer

Actalent; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Indianapolis is seeking a Manufacturing Process Engineer to translate customer prints into precise manufacturing routers with accurate time estimates and suitable machine selections. You will work closely with machinists and CNC programmers to ensure producible, cost-effective plans.

You will support day-to-day production scheduling, resolve priority conflicts, and drive continuous improvement initiatives while meeting customer due dates.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in manufacturing, mechanical, industrial engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience documenting routes, time estimates, and work instructions.
• Strong quoting and scheduling and cost-analysis capabilities.
• Experience collaborating with machinists and CNC programmers.
• Proficiency with continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality, cost-effective job routers with accurate time estimates and proper machine selections.
• Review historical quotes and part variations to ensure accurate routing and profitability.
• Support project engineers and participate in kick-off meetings to address manufacturing considerations early.
• Assist in resolving scheduling and priority conflicts at machining centers.
• Collaborate with CNC programmers on tooling, routing, and process decisions.
• Translate engineering prints into practical shop floor instructions and routers.
• Drive continuous improvement procedures and mentor shop floor teams.
• Manage quoting deadlines to meet customer due dates.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Process engineering

CNC machining

CNC programming

Routing development

Quoting & scheduling

Continuous improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or related technical field

Tools

Mastercam

Job description

Job Title

Manufacturing Process Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Process Engineer plays a key role in helping the manufacturing department plan smarter, quote more accurately, and run more efficiently. This position focuses on translating customer prints into clear, executable manufacturing plans by building high-quality job routers with precise time estimates, appropriate machine selections, and detailed work instructions. The role also supports day-to-day production scheduling, helps resolve priority conflicts, and drives continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing department while collaborating closely with machinists, CNC programmers, and project engineers.

Responsibilities

• Create proficient, high-quality, and cost-effective job routers that include accurate time estimations, appropriate machine selections, and detailed work instructions that the shop floor can easily execute.
• Review historical quotes for identical or similar parts and their variations to assess profitability and ensure accurate quoting and routing practices.
• Support project engineers by participating in project kick-off meetings as needed, providing technical input and ensuring that manufacturing considerations are addressed early in the process.
• Assist the manufacturing team in resolving scheduling and priority conflicts at machining centers, and clearly communicate all changes to relevant supporting personnel.
• Collaborate with CNC programmers to assist with tooling purchases for all released job routers, ensuring that required tools are available and appropriate for the planned operations.
• Review quote data to ensure it is processed in a timely manner in alignment with customer due dates, allowing sufficient time for management review and approval.
• Create, document, develop, and implement continuous improvement procedures and initiatives that support successful growth and increased efficiency within the manufacturing department.
• Mentor and motivate a positive shop floor culture by encouraging collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning among team members.
• Translate engineering prints into manufacturing routers that are accurate, efficient, and easy for shop floor personnel to understand and follow.
• Operate effectively under pressure by managing quoting deadlines and schedule conflicts without compromising accuracy or quality.
• Work independently as a self-starter while also collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve production and business objectives.
• Identify and address potential profitability or estimation issues early, preventing them from developing into larger operational or financial problems.

Essential Skills

• Manufacturing engineering experience with a strong understanding of shop floor processes and production workflows.
• Process engineering experience, including the ability to design and optimize manufacturing processes for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Hands-on CNC machining experience, with familiarity in operating or supporting CNC equipment in a production environment.
• Experience in CNC programming, with the ability to collaborate closely with CNC programmers on tooling, routing, and process decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to translate engineering prints into detailed, accurate manufacturing routers and work instructions.
• Strong analytical skills to review historical quotes and profitability data and adjust routing and quoting practices accordingly.
• Ability to manage quoting deadlines and scheduling pressures while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven capability to work independently as a self-starter and also function effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset with the ability to identify and correct estimation or profitability issues before they impact production.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and implementing process enhancements within a manufacturing environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree, preferably in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience mentoring and motivating shop floor personnel and fostering a positive, collaborative culture.
• Experience in reviewing and processing quote data in alignment with customer due dates and internal review processes.
• Exposure to full job lifecycle activities, including quoting, routing, scheduling, and execution in a manufacturing setting.
• Mastercam programming experience or familiarity with Mastercam is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills to clearly convey routing changes, priorities, and work instructions to machinists, CNC programmers, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to participate effectively in project kick-off meetings and provide technical manufacturing input.
• Interest in and aptitude for continuous improvement, including documenting and standardizing improved procedures.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing environment where the Manufacturing Process Engineer works closely with a skilled, experienced team of machinists and CNC programmers. The position involves regular interaction with the shop floor to ensure that job routers are practical, understandable, and aligned with actual production capabilities. Work typically includes office-based tasks such as reviewing prints, developing routers, analyzing historical quotes, and documenting procedures, combined with time spent on the production floor to support scheduling, tooling decisions, and continuous improvement initiatives. The environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, particularly around quoting and scheduling activities, and emphasizes collaboration, clear communication, and a positive, supportive culture. The engineer has direct influence over how work is built, with involvement across the full lifecycle of jobs from quoting through routing, scheduling, and execution.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Indianapolis, IN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $120000.00/yr.

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.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Indianapolis,IN.

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.