Steel Manufacturing Engineer

Actalent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to lead the launch, commissioning, and ramp-up of new equipment at supplier locations both domestically and internationally, with 75% travel and remote work when not traveling.

You will partner with suppliers and various teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective, and you will drive supplier readiness, NPI reviews, and ramp-readiness activities across the global supplier base from Chicago.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline; 10+ years in manufacturing engineering.
• 10+ years in design for manufacturing, steel processes, or steel machinery.
• 5+ years serving large OEM customers in renewable energy, automotive, electronics, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience delivering concurrent engineering outcomes.
• Strong experience with roll forming of complex steel shapes.
• Experience leading supplier-facing engineering activities.
• Experience with engineering change management in a PLM system.
• CAD collaboration for manufacturability reviews; able to read drawings and specs.
• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma and structured problem solving.
• Willingness to travel 75% (international and domestic).

Responsibilities

• Participate in product development from concept to design release, providing manufacturability input andDFM/DFMA recommendations.
• Review drawings, specs, and revisions; identify manufacturability risks and propose solutions.
• Lead innovations in manufacturing technologies and readiness activities for roll forming of steel products.
• Plan prototype builds, supplier trials, and on-site validations with measurement and inspection.
• Lead supplier ramp readiness and cost-reduction initiatives across modules.
• Define and validate manufacturing readiness deliverables: process flows, risk assessments, inspection approaches, work instructions, ramp-readiness checklists.
• Conduct supplier factory readiness audits and support ramp execution; drive corrective actions.
• Deploy manufacturing technologies and best practices across supplier footprint.
• Define tooling/equipment tech requirements and support installation, commissioning, and training with suppliers.
• Serve as Manufacturing Engineering reviewer/approver for engineering changes in PLM.
• Provide rapid escalation support for supplier/manufacturing issues.
• Document best practices and deploy standardized solutions across the group.
• Participate in NPI readiness reviews and cross-functional meetings.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

DFM/DFMA

Roll forming

Supplier facing

PLM

Lean/Six Sigma

Project leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD

PLM system

Job description

This position requires travel around 75% of the time to supplier locations (Home every weekend). When not traveling, the work can be done remotely.

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated Manufacturing Engineer to lead the launch, commissioning, and ramp-up of new equipment at supplier locations both domestically and internationally. The role involves partnering with suppliers and various teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective.

Responsibilities

• Participate in product development from concept through design release, providing manufacturing feasibility input and DFM/DFMA recommendations.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and design revisions; identify manufacturability risks and propose engineering solutions.
• Lead innovation in manufacturing technologies and technical readiness activities for complex roll forming of steel products.
• Plan and execute prototype builds, supplier trials, and on-site validations; verify functional intent and key dimensions through appropriate measurement and inspection methods.
• Lead technical value engineering and cost-reduction initiatives across module frame products.
• Define and validate manufacturing readiness deliverables such as process flows, manufacturing risk assessments, inspection approaches, work instructions, and ramp-readiness checklists.
• Conduct supplier factory readiness audits and support supplier ramp execution; identify constraints and drive corrective action plans.
• Identify and deploy manufacturing technologies and best practices across the supplier footprint.
• Define technical requirements for tooling/equipment and support installation, commissioning, and training with suppliers.
• Serve as a Manufacturing Engineering reviewer/approver for engineering changes in the company PLM system.
• Provide rapid technical escalation support when supplier, manufacturing, or field issues arise.
• Document best practices across the group and deploy standardized solutions across the supplier base.
• Participate in NPI readiness reviews and cross-functional meetings as required.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in an Engineering discipline with at least 10+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering.
• 10+ years experience in design for manufacturing, steel manufacturing processes, or steel machinery.
• 5+ years experience serving large OEM customers in sectors like renewable energy, automotive, consumer electronics, or industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience delivering concurrent engineering outcomes.
• Strong experience with roll forming complex steel shapes and fabrication processes.
• Experience leading supplier-facing engineering activities.
• Experience with engineering change management in a PLM system.
• CAD collaboration capability for manufacturability reviews and ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma concepts and structured problem solving.
• Ability to work flexible schedules to accommodate global work teams.
• Travel requirements of 75% (international and domestic).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Metallurgical Engineering degree is preferred.
• Experience with additional manufacturing processes is a plus.
• Solar tracker experience is a plus

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $49.00 - $57.00/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 hybrid position in Chicago,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 10, 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.