Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing EngineerThe Manufacturing Engineer leads and mentors a cross-functional engineering team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, driving process development, continuous improvement, and scalable production. This role focuses on optimizing manufacturing output, supporting project-based and escalated production issues, and ensuring that facility and product goals are consistently achieved. The Manufacturing Engineer works predominantly on the manufacturing floor, collaborating closely with production, engineering, quality, and operations teams to identify and address process gaps, equipment challenges, and material flow issues. The position also plays a key role in translating engineering bills of materials (EBOMs) to manufacturing bills of materials (MBOMs), scaling existing lines, and setting up new manufacturing lines.ResponsibilitiesLead, mentor, and direct an engineering team that includes a mechanical designer, manufacturing engineer, and multiple engineering technicians.Support project-based initiatives and escalated work items in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Drive process development efforts to optimize manufacturing output, including cycle time, yield, and overall efficiency.Collaborate with production, engineering, quality, and operations departments to ensure product and facility output goals are met.Work predominantly on the manufacturing floor to understand and resolve gaps, challenges, and opportunities related to processes, equipment, and material flow.Lead production issue escalation and on-floor troubleshooting for mechanical, electrical, and process-related problems, ensuring rapid containment and resolution.Coach, demonstrate, and implement lean manufacturing techniques to support continuous improvement and standardized work.Communicate regularly with leadership and department heads to summarize progress toward high-priority projects and operational goals.Design and optimize inverter assembly processes to improve performance and enable scalable operations.Translate EBOMs to MBOMs within a PLM-integrated environment, ensuring accurate material consumption and manufacturability.Support the setup, ramp-up, and scaling of new and existing manufacturing lines.Utilize Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integration and NetSuite ERP for routing, operations, and work order management.Apply 3D CAD tools, ideally CREO or SolidWorks, to design fixtures, layouts, and validate product manufacturability.Use kanban systems and other lean tools to manage material flow and improve material consumption accuracy.Mentor junior engineers and technicians, fostering a collaborative, high-performance team environment.Manage and coordinate project activities, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and manufacturing objectives are achieved.Essential SkillsBachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Electrical Engineering, with Mechanical Engineering also considered.5+ years of experience in a fast-paced manufacturing engineering role.Strong working knowledge of NetSuite routing, operations, and work order management.Proven ability to translate EBOMs to MBOMs in a PLM-integrated environment.Proficiency in 3D CAD, ideally CREO or SolidWorks, for designing fixtures, layouts, and validating product manufacturability.Hands-on experience in manufacturing engineering, including process development and optimization.Demonstrated capability in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies.Experience with Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integration.Ability to lead production issue escalation and perform on-floor troubleshooting for mechanical, electrical, and process issues.Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience designing and optimizing inverter assembly processes.Experience in standardizing work and supporting line setup and ramp-ups.Familiarity with kanban systems for material and workflow management.Understanding of material consumption accuracy and its impact on manufacturing performance.Ability to mentor junior engineers and engineering technicians.Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with leadership and cross-functional teams.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Simpsonville, SC.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $48.00 - $58.00/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 TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Simpsonville, SC.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026.About ActalentActalent 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.