Manufacturing Zone Engineer

Actalent; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Transportation benefits

PTO

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Manufacturing Zone Engineer to oversee a defined zone in a general assembly setting, program-manage new equipment, and optimize material flow. You will lead tooling and automation buyoff, collaborate with design teams and operators, and drive continuous improvements on the shop floor.

The role requires on-site presence in Lansing, MI, with responsibilities spanning equipment layout verification, training, and cross-functional coordination to ensure safe and efficient

Qualifications

• Experience as a Mechanical Engineer with tooling buyoff responsibility.
• Background in plant manufacturing, high-volume production preferred.
• Proven track record managing tooling and equipment buyoff with suppliers.
• Strong communication across engineering teams, operators, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Program manage new equipment and automation in the zone from concept to installation and buyoff.
• Oversee ~30 workstations ensuring safe, efficient operation per design intent.
• Verify floor layouts for zone equipment placement, operator stations, and material flow.
• Train line operators on operation of new equipment and tooling.
• Identify and resolve processing issues to maintain quality and throughput.
• Develop material flow strategies to reduce bottlenecks and improve lean flow.
• Lead automation design reviews and buyoff for new equipment and automation.
• Coordinate with suppliers for tooling, machinery, and automation trials and acceptance.
• Communicate with cross-functional partners to align priorities and resolve issues.
• Support conveyor controls integration and ensure correct interfaces.
• Ensure tooling buyoff through qualification against specs and production needs.
• Contribute to continuous improvement for process optimization and ergonomics.

Skills

Mechanical Engineer

Tooling buyoff

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

On-site support

Manufacturing engineering

Conveyor systems experience

Education

Mechanical engineering degree

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Zone Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

The Manufacturing Zone Engineer oversees approximately 30 workstations within a defined zone in a general assembly environment. This role program-manages all new equipment and automation entering the zone, ensures accurate floor layouts, and supports smooth integration into production. The engineer collaborates closely with design teams, operators, and cross-functional stakeholders to resolve processing issues, optimize material flow, and lead tooling and automation buyoff activities.

Responsibilities

• Program manage all new equipment and automation introduced into the assigned zone within General Assembly, from concept through installation and buyoff.

• Oversee approximately 30 workstations in the assigned area and ensure they operate safely, efficiently, and according to design intent.

• Collaborate with the design team to verify and maintain accurate floor layouts for the zone, including equipment placement, operator stations, and material flow paths.

• Work directly with line operators to provide education and training on the operation of new equipment and tooling introduced into the zone.

• Identify, analyze, and resolve processing issues within the zone to support consistent production quality and throughput.

• Develop and help implement material flow strategies for the zone to improve efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and support lean manufacturing principles.

• Lead automation design review and buyoff activities, ensuring that new automation and equipment meet performance, safety, and quality requirements before release to production.

• Manage suppliers involved in providing tooling, machinery, and automation for the zone, including coordination of trials, approvals, and final acceptance.

• Coordinate and communicate effectively with cross-functional partners, including engineering teams, union-represented workforce, leadership, and suppliers to align on priorities and resolve issues.

• Support conveyor and related controls integration within the zone, ensuring equipment interfaces correctly with existing systems and processes.

• Ensure tooling buyoff is completed thoroughly, including qualification of machinery and tooling against specifications and production requirements.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the zone by identifying opportunities for process optimization, automation enhancements, and ergonomic improvements.

Essential Skills

• Experience as a Mechanical Engineer with direct responsibility for tooling buyoff and qualification of tooling and machinery.

• Experience in plant manufacturing, preferably in a high-volume production environment.

• Proven experience managing suppliers, including responsibility for tooling and equipment buyoff.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering teams, union-represented employees, leadership, and suppliers.

• Demonstrated ability to work on-site as needed to support production, equipment installation, and issue resolution.

• Experience in manufacturing engineering, including exposure to tooling and production equipment.

• Experience with conveyor systems and related controls in a manufacturing setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Automotive program management experience.

• Prior experience working in a large original equipment manufacturer (OEM) automotive environment.

• Experience working in environments with union-represented workforces.

• Background in automation design, integration, and buyoff within assembly or general manufacturing.

• Mechanical engineering degree or equivalent practical experience in mechanical or manufacturing engineering.

Work Environment

This role is based in a large OEM manufacturing and production facility that operates within a general assembly environment. The Zone Engineer works on-site in a plant setting that includes production lines, conveyor systems, and automated equipment. The environment involves close interaction with production operators, engineering teams, and suppliers on the factory floor. Work hours may require on-site presence on an as-needed basis to support equipment installation, troubleshooting, and production needs. The role involves working around active manufacturing processes, machinery, and automation systems in a union-represented facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Lansing, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Lansing, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lansing,MI.

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.