Process Improvement Engineer

Actalent; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Process Improvement Engineer for on-site work in Champaign, IL. The role focuses on applying AI, automation, and data-driven solutions to engineering processes, especially product development.

You will design AI-enabled tools, drive adoption, and improve data quality across engineering functions. The position emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, experience with Python, and familiarity with AI tools or related analytics platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience in product development, manufacturing, reliability, or process engineering.
• Proficiency with Python or a similar programming language for automation and data-driven solutions.
• Hands-on experience with automation, data analysis, and engineering problem solving.
• Ability to apply AI tools or automation to improve processes or procedures in an engineering-focused role.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple engineering functions.
• Experience with Generative AI, ChatGPT, Copilot, large language models (LLMs), or AI-enabled workflows, OR experience with Power BI, Power Automate, SQL, analytics tools, or engineering systems.
• Familiarity with process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies in an engineering context.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement AI-driven improvements across engineering workflows, with a focus on product development and related processes.
• Develop automation tools and data-driven solutions using Python and related technologies to streamline engineering activities.
• Support product development, testing, validation, reliability, and sustaining engineering activities by creating and enhancing AI-enabled tools and processes.
• Improve engineering data quality, structure, and accessibility to support analytics and AI applications across multiple functions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to understand their needs, drive process improvements, and promote adoption of AI and automation solutions.
• Evaluate emerging AI tools, platforms, and technologies, and recommend solutions that deliver measurable business value.
• Integrate AI tools with existing company data and systems, such as test results, specifications, and design documents, to ensure practical and scalable usage.
• Validate and monitor AI outputs to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness for engineering decision-making.
• Use data analysis and engineering problem-solving techniques to identify bottlenecks and propose continuous process improvements.
• Communicate technical concepts, solution designs, and process changes clearly to engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Automation

Data analysis

Generative AI

Power BI

Power Automate

SQL

Engineering systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Copilot

Python

Job description

Job Title: Process Improvement Engineer Job Description This role focuses on enhancing engineering processes by applying artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven solutions. The Process Improvement Engineer identifies opportunities within product development and related engineering functions, designs and implements AI-enabled tools, and drives adoption of these solutions to improve efficiency, data quality, and speed to market across engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement AI-driven improvements across engineering workflows, with a focus on product development and related processes.
• Develop automation tools and data-driven solutions using Python and related technologies to streamline engineering activities.
• Support product development, testing, validation, reliability, and sustaining engineering activities by creating and enhancing AI-enabled tools and processes.
• Improve engineering data quality, structure, and accessibility to support analytics and AI applications across multiple functions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to understand their needs, drive process improvements, and promote adoption of AI and automation solutions.
• Evaluate emerging AI tools, platforms, and technologies, and recommend solutions that deliver measurable business value.
• Integrate AI tools with existing company data and systems, such as test results, specifications, and design documents, to ensure practical and scalable usage.
• Validate and monitor AI outputs to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness for engineering decision-making.
• Use data analysis and engineering problem-solving techniques to identify bottlenecks and propose continuous process improvements.
• Communicate technical concepts, solution designs, and process changes clearly to engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience in product development, manufacturing, reliability, or process engineering.
• Proficiency with Python or a similar programming language for automation and data-driven solutions.
• Hands-on experience with automation, data analysis, and engineering problem solving.
• Ability to apply AI tools or automation to improve processes or procedures in an engineering-focused role.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple engineering functions.
• Experience with Generative AI, ChatGPT, Copilot, large language models (LLMs), or AI-enabled workflows, OR experience with Power BI, Power Automate, SQL, analytics tools, or engineering systems.
• Familiarity with process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies in an engineering context.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or process engineering.
• Experience in electrical design or mechanical design within a product development environment.
• Exposure to digital transformation initiatives or Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Experience with reliability engineering or manufacturing technologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office for documentation, reporting, and presentations.
• Experience working with test data, data sets, and engineering data management.
• Demonstrated ability to connect AI tools to company data or systems, such as test results, specifications, or design documentation.
• Experience validating AI outputs to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness for engineering decisions.
• Interest in a contract-to-hire opportunity, with openness to long-term conversion or completing the assignment as a contract role.

Work Environment This is an on-site role based in Champaign, Illinois. The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The position is structured as a contract-to-hire opportunity over approximately nine months, with the goal of conversion to a longer-term role while also accommodating individuals who prefer to remain on a contract basis. The engineer will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams in a collaborative environment that emphasizes digital transformation, AI adoption, and continuous process improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Champaign, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $52.88/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 Champaign,IL.

Application Deadline

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

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.