Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer – Automotive Die Casting

This role focuses on supporting daily high-pressure die casting production while leading activities for new product launches in an automotive manufacturing environment. You will improve overall equipment effectiveness, troubleshoot production issues, and drive continuous improvement on the die cast side of the facility. At the same time, you will help plan and justify new capital equipment, collaborate on tool design, and ensure robust processes for new automotive die cast parts. This position offers significant growth opportunities as the business expands, with multiple new programs and design changes underway.

Responsibilities

• Support daily production activities on the die cast side of the building and act as a key technical resource for operations.
• Attend morning production meetings to review previous day performance, address current day priorities, and align on actions to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Troubleshoot downtime issues on die casting equipment, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyze and troubleshoot cycle times to improve throughput, efficiency, and consistency of die casting operations.
• Monitor and address OEE issues, working closely with production, maintenance, and quality teams to improve performance.
• Lead or support new product launch activities for automotive die cast components.
• Identify required equipment for new programs, including die casting machines, automation, and supporting systems.
• Develop and write clear, detailed statements of work (SOW) for new equipment and tooling.
• Obtain and evaluate vendor quotations, support technical and commercial evaluations, and participate in negotiations.
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations and other documentation required to secure corporate approval for capital investments.
• Manage new equipment projects from approval through installation, commissioning, and handover to production.
• Collaborate with tool designers and vendors to ensure die and tooling designs support robust processes and high-quality parts.
• Review and interpret CMM layouts and dimensional reports to validate part quality and process capability.
• Use familiarity with 3D modeling tools to take measurements, interpret models, and support quality documentation requirements.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of quality documents associated with automotive programs, such as those needed for PFMEA and related processes.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and ergonomic considerations when designing processes and layouts.
• Work with robotics and PLC-controlled systems as needed to support automation, troubleshooting, or process improvements.
• Utilize CAD/CAM tools, where applicable, to support process design, tooling reviews, and manufacturing improvements.
• Create clear, professional documentation and presentations to communicate technical concepts and proposals to management.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance in the die casting area.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, production, maintenance, quality, and corporate teams to achieve launch and production objectives.

Essential Skills

• High-pressure die casting experience in an automotive environment (required).
• Automotive die cast experience with familiarity of associated quality and process documentation (required).
• Knowledge of die cast processes and die casting equipment, including operation and troubleshooting.
• At least 5+ years of experience in an engineering function, preferably in manufacturing or automotive.
• Ability to troubleshoot downtime and cycle time issues on die casting equipment and related systems.
• Ability to read and interpret CMM layouts and dimensional reports.
• Familiarity with 3D modeling sufficient to take measurements and interpret models for quality and process documentation.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and ergonomic considerations.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, persuasive presentations and documentation for management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project or similar project management software.
• Bachelor's degree (BS) in a manufacturing-related field or closely related engineering discipline.
• Ability to work effectively in a production environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• CAD/CAM experience (preferred).
• Experience with robot programming in a manufacturing or die casting environment.
• Experience with PLC programming or troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment.
• Experience supporting new product launches in automotive manufacturing.
• Experience preparing statements of work (SOW) and working with equipment vendors.
• Experience managing capital equipment projects from concept through installation.
• Experience with automotive quality tools and documentation, including PFMEA and related processes.
• Demonstrated ability to organize complex technical information into clear presentations for corporate approval processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfort working in a fast-growing environment with multiple new part launches and design changes.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site position requiring approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with work performed in both office and production areas as needed. The schedule may change at the discretion of the department based on production and project demands. In the office, you will spend time sitting and typing at a computer to prepare analyses, documentation, and presentations. In the manufacturing areas, you will frequently stand and walk, sometimes for extended periods, within die casting and related production facilities. The role often requires picking up and handling parts weighing more than 20 pounds, as well as closely inspecting parts and observing processes and operations. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus to assess parts and equipment. The shop floor environment includes elevated noise levels, elevated temperatures near ovens and during warmer seasons, and proximity to moving equipment. While performing duties on the floor, you may be frequently exposed to the risk of electrical shock and occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The company operates as a growing, financially stable, publicly traded organization that reinvests in its operations, including new equipment and technology, and offers a dynamic environment with multiple new part launches and ongoing design changes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.07 - $62.50/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 Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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