Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Must be US Citizen due to ITAR Requirements

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on CNC programming, process engineering, and fixture/tooling design to support a highly collaborative, shop-floor–driven environment. You will develop and optimize CNC programs, create and maintain CAD models, standardize manufacturing processes, and partner closely with machinists, operations, and engineering teams to deliver robust, repeatable, and efficient machining and repair solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain CNC programs for vertical lathes and mills, ensuring efficient and accurate machining operations.
• Create and modify CAD models to support toolpaths, repair strategies, and process validation activities.
• Diagnose machining issues directly at the machine, refine G‑code and post‑processor output, and collaborate with machinists to validate setups, processes, and part feasibility.
• Work closely with shop-floor personnel to identify root causes of production issues and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
• Build, standardize, and maintain setup sheets, work instructions, routings, programming guidelines, and standard operating procedures to capture tribal knowledge and current-state processes.
• Create and update routings in the ERP system and support manufacturing documentation and maintenance tracking.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and customers to define machining and repair strategies that meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Support production trials and first-article validations, ensuring processes are robust, repeatable, and aligned with customer expectations.
• Design jigs, fixtures, and tooling to improve manufacturability, part quality, and operator safety.
• Evaluate manufacturability on the shop floor and collaborate with operators to validate design-for-manufacturing (DFM) considerations.
• Lead and support Lean and continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing cycle time, improving flow, and enhancing overall process efficiency.
• Contribute to process optimization by identifying opportunities for tooling improvements, setup reduction, and better machining strategies.
• Communicate clearly and effectively across cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on priorities, issues, and process changes.

Essential Skills

• Strong CAD skills using any major CAD package, with the ability to model parts accurately and efficiently.
• Hands-on CAM experience with systems such as Mastercam, EdgeCAM, or similar tools, including generating and optimizing toolpaths for CNC machinery.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM programming and modeling for CNC machinery, including vertical lathes and mills.
• Solid knowledge of CNC machining, including lathes and mills, machining strategies, tooling selection, workholding methods, and shop-floor troubleshooting.
• Ability to create and maintain routings, update ERP systems, and support manufacturing documentation and maintenance tracking.
• Experience designing jigs and fixtures and working directly with operators to validate design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and improve manufacturability.
• Demonstrated strength in problem-solving and cross-functional communication, especially in a shop-floor environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience in lieu of a degree.
• Openness to candidates with junior-level experience or recent graduates with BSMET or technology degrees who demonstrate strong technical aptitude and hands-on capability.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing or process engineering roles with a strong focus on shop-floor engagement and troubleshooting.
• Background in developing and implementing standard operating procedures, work instructions, and programming guidelines.
• Exposure to tool-and-die–related process improvements and fixture/tooling optimization.
• Familiarity with Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies to reduce cycle times and improve process flow.
• Comfort working directly with machinists, operators, and cross-functional teams to align on process changes and improvements.
• Ability to support first-article validation and production trials, including documentation and feedback incorporation.

Work Environment

This role splits time between the manufacturing floor and a desk-based engineering environment, with a heavier emphasis on being present on the shop floor. You will regularly interact with machinists and shop employees, working side by side to diagnose issues, refine setups, and identify solutions collaboratively. The environment combines hands-on work at CNC machines, fixtures, and tooling with office-based tasks such as CAD modeling, CAM programming, documentation, and ERP updates. You can expect a dynamic setting where priorities can shift based on production needs, and where practical problem-solving, clear communication, and a strong partnership with operations and engineering teams are central to success.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cleveland, OH.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $50.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Cleveland,OH.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.