Process Engineer

ACTalent; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance (employee & dependents)

PTO / Time Off

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Manufacturing Process Engineer for ceramic semiconductor components in San Diego, CA. This contract-to-hire role focuses on pre-sintering process optimization in a cleanroom environment, with hands-on ownership of process improvements and defect reduction initiatives.

You will analyze process data, update work instructions, and partner with production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure product specifications and tolerances are met.

Qualifications

• Hands-on manufacturing or process engineering experience in a production setting.
• Experience with defect reduction, yield improvement and process optimization.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and understand tolerances.
• Background in process improvement methodologies (Lean/Six Sigma) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support and optimize pre-sintering manufacturing processes for ceramic components used in semiconductor packaging.
• Monitor production processes to improve quality, yield, throughput and consistency.
• Investigate defects such as cracking, chipping, warpage, and contamination and drive corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain process parameters, work instructions, and control limits.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to troubleshoot issues.
• Work in a controlled cleanroom environment with full gowning.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing experience

Root cause analysis

Reading engineering drawings

Process optimization

Cleanroom environment

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Materials/Industrial Engineering or related

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Process Engineer Ceramic Semiconductor Components

This role focuses on supporting and optimizing pre-sintering manufacturing processes for ceramic components used in semiconductor packaging. You will monitor and improve production processes to enhance product quality, yield, throughput, and consistency, while playing a hands-on role in defect reduction and process optimization. The position offers the opportunity to gain specialized experience in ceramic manufacturing for semiconductor applications and to take direct ownership of manufacturing process improvements in a cleanroom environment.

Responsibilities

• Support and optimize pre-sintering manufacturing processes for ceramic components used in semiconductor packaging.
• Monitor manufacturing processes to identify opportunities to improve product quality, yield, throughput, and overall process consistency.
• Investigate manufacturing defects such as cracking, chipping, warpage, dimensional variation, delamination, and contamination.
• Identify process variables that contribute to defects and implement corrective actions and process improvements.
• Develop, document, and maintain process parameters, work instructions, operating procedures, and process control limits.
• Support manufacturing processes involving material handling, forming, cutting, machining, lamination, inspection, and preparation.
• Partner closely with production personnel and technicians to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and drive continuous process improvements.
• Support root cause analysis activities, defect reduction initiatives, process validation, quality control, and implementation of new processes.
• Review engineering drawings and dimensional requirements to ensure products meet all specifications and tolerances.
• Work independently on assigned manufacturing projects while collaborating with engineering, production, and quality teams.
• Perform the majority of daily responsibilities in a controlled cleanroom environment while wearing full cleanroom gowning.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of hands-on manufacturing or process engineering experience in a production environment; 2 or more years of relevant manufacturing experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or improving a production process, including troubleshooting manufacturing issues and implementing process improvements.
• Experience identifying production defects or process issues and driving improvements related to yield, quality, throughput, equipment performance, or manufacturing processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and understand dimensional requirements and tolerances.
• Background in manufacturing engineering and process improvement within a production setting.
• Experience with root cause analysis techniques and defect reduction initiatives.
• Strong problem-solver skills with the ability to analyze process data and identify actionable improvements.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, production, quality, and technicians.
• Self-motivation and the ability to independently manage projects and manufacturing problems with minimal day-to-day direction.
• Comfort working approximately 80% of the workday in a cleanroom environment while wearing full cleanroom gowning.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting defect reduction, yield improvement, quality improvement, or production optimization in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with engineering drawings and dimensional requirements; GD&T or dimensional tolerancing experience is preferred and can be further developed on the job.
• Experience with root cause analysis methods such as 5 Why, as well as process validation, process controls, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Exposure to cleanroom manufacturing processes is preferred but not required.
• Experience in semiconductor, ceramics, electronics, medical device, biotech, or other precision manufacturing environments is preferred but not required.
• Comfort with continuous improvement tools and software used for root cause analysis and process optimization.
• Interest in gaining specialized experience in ceramic manufacturing supporting semiconductor applications.
• Ability to work closely with experienced engineers, technicians, quality professionals, and production teams in a collaborative setting.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a manufacturing environment with significant time spent in a controlled cleanroom. Approximately 80% of the workday will be spent in the cleanroom, where full cleanroom gowning is required. You will work directly with production personnel, technicians, equipment, and manufacturing processes, engaging in hands-on process support and optimization. The position requires the ability to work independently while actively collaborating with cross-functional teams in engineering, production, and quality. The environment provides exposure to advanced ceramic manufacturing for semiconductor applications, cleanroom operations, and continuous improvement practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $71000.00 - $93000.00/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 to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

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.