Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer II Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer II supports daily production operations and drives continuous improvement across the manufacturing floor. This role focuses on optimizing processes for safety, quality, efficiency, and throughput while leading capital projects, new product and process introductions, and process validation activities. The Manufacturing Engineer II collaborates closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and external vendors to ensure robust, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes that meet internal quality systems and customer requirements.
Responsibilities

• Support daily manufacturing operations by monitoring process performance, responding to process issues, and ensuring stable, efficient production.
• Develop, document, and maintain detailed work instructions, process flows, routings, and standard work to ensure consistent and repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Analyze production data such as scrap, rework, cycle time, downtime, and yield to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost reduction.
• Implement process changes to improve safety, product quality, efficiency, and throughput while maintaining compliance with internal standards and customer requirements.
• Support new product and process introductions by assisting with process setup, trials, validation activities, and related documentation.
• Drive and actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives by applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and related methodologies.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for process, quality, and equipment issues and implement corrective and preventive actions to address recurring problems.
• Proactively identify and eliminate waste, reduce scrap, minimize labor inefficiencies, and lower material costs through structured problem-solving and data-driven decision-making.
• Champion kaizen events and continuously monitor improvement metrics and results to ensure sustained performance gains.
• Sustain process improvements by updating documentation, standard work, and process instructions and by conducting operator training sessions to ensure knowledge transfer.
• Lead capital project initiatives by overseeing all phases, including equipment selection, justification, installation, and startup, to enhance operational capabilities and support business objectives.
• Develop and support capital requests by preparing ROI analyses and technical specifications that align with organizational goals and cost reduction strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with vendors, Maintenance, and Operations teams to ensure seamless equipment installation, commissioning, and successful startup.
• Support process validation, capability studies, and acceptance testing for new or modified equipment to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and performance standards.
• Maintain and update documentation, standard work, and process instructions to reflect changes following capital project implementation and ensure sustained improvements.
• Ensure manufacturing processes align with internal quality management systems and customer requirements, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Assist with non-conformance investigations and implement corrective actions to maintain high standards of product quality and compliance.
• Integrate safety, ergonomics, and risk mitigation strategies into process design and improvement efforts to foster a safe and efficient work environment.
• Actively support internal audits and documentation reviews, contributing to sustained compliance, process reliability, and readiness for external assessments.
• Champion a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement throughout the shop floor to consistently achieve operational and business objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, such as Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or a related field.
• 4-7 years of hands-on manufacturing or process engineering experience in a production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze, improve, and sustain manufacturing processes.
• Strong working knowledge of process capability, cycle time analysis, scrap reduction, and efficiency metrics.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining detailed work instructions, standard work, and process documentation.
• Experience supporting capital equipment installation, commissioning, and process validation activities.
• Advanced problem-solving skills with practical application of root cause analysis methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing data.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams.
• Comfort working extended hours or off-shifts as needed to support production and capital projects.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to maintain a broad perspective when evaluating each step of the manufacturing process to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Proficiency in analyzing and enhancing manufacturing processes by leveraging production data such as scrap, cycle time, downtime, and yield.
• Proficient in developing, maintaining, and adhering to standard work procedures, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Solid working knowledge of continuous improvement principles and root cause analysis techniques to drive process optimization.
• Ability to actively support capital equipment installation, commissioning, validation, and implementation of process changes.
• Skilled at troubleshooting process, quality, and equipment-related challenges on the shop floor to minimize production disruptions.
• Ability to operate within quality management systems and effectively contribute to corrective actions and audit processes.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, organizational skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work hands-on in a manufacturing environment, including providing off-shift support as required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience applying lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with Six Sigma tools and techniques.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar engineering design software.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced production environment that requires flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with cross-functional teams and external vendors.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role in a production manufacturing environment. The standard schedule consists of five 8-hour days, Monday through Friday, with the flexibility to work extended hours or off-shifts when needed to support production demands and capital projects. The role requires regular presence on the shop floor, working hands-on with equipment, processes, and operators in a dynamic, fast-paced setting. Travel of up to 15% may be required to support equipment suppliers, project activities, or other manufacturing locations. The environment emphasizes safety, ergonomics, and adherence to established quality management systems while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Taylor, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $113000.00/yr.
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.
How we show we care • Low-cost Health Insurance Premium for Employee-Only Coverage (Plus low-cost premiums for other coverage levels!) • 4% Retirement Match with Profit Sharing • Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday, Parental, Volunteer, and Sick) • Dental, Vision, Disability and Life Insurance • Get Paid Weekly • Use of Company Owned Resort in Hayward, WI • Tuition Reimbursement Program
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Taylor,TX.
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.


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