Material Flow Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Material Flow Engineer

Job Description

The Material Flow Engineer will optimize warehousing and material flow operations within a high-rate, data-driven supply chain and manufacturing environment on a defined-term contract. This role focuses on improving quality, reliability, speed, and asset utilization while supporting critical customer deployments and internal development timelines. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Business Operations to design, implement, and refine processes that keep production lines healthy, efficient, and ready to scale from development through full-rate production.

Responsibilities

• Work across multiple programs from early development through full-rate production to scale best-in-class material flow and warehousing solutions aligned with the maturity of manufacturing processes.
• Proactively identify imbalances and bottlenecks caused by inventory processes, line layouts, parts shortages, staffing shortages, and other production constraints, and drive issues to resolution with appropriate stakeholders in Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality.
• Own the metrics, KPIs, and reporting that monitor production line health and efficiency, including cycle time, throughput rate, capacity, utilization, process non-conformities, and inventory accuracy.
• Conduct time studies of current and developing warehouse and operations processes to ensure efficiency and inform continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop processes and workplans that optimize labor and material flow for highly variable demand across multiple sites and facilities.
• Translate tools, dashboards, and reports into clear, actionable tasks that improve the health and performance of warehouse operations across diverse processes and locations.
• Produce and maintain tools that increase the accuracy of work demand forecasting for new facilities and maturing processes using data-driven methods such as value stream mapping, process mapping, and line balancing techniques.
• Specify, procure, and implement material handling and storage equipment solutions by collaborating with vendors, writing RFPs, evaluating proposals, and managing suppliers through project completion.
• Identify storage and material handling needs, define equipment requirements, and oversee implementation to support efficient and reliable production and warehousing operations.
• Model production lines and run production scenarios using plant or process simulation software to evaluate capacity, flow, and potential improvements.
• Design and set up departments or factories using principles such as value stream mapping, continuous flow, one-piece flow, and ergonomic workstation design.
• Completely own value chains from start to finish, measure each step of the process, and create actionable tasks that lead to significant and sustainable business improvements.
• Present project results and recommendations to cross-functional teams, clearly relating data and analysis to proposed next steps and operational changes.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles that drive productivity and efficiency, including hands-on process improvements, operational analysis, and error-proofing (poka-yoke) solutions that minimize the need for large capital expenditures.
• Interact with SQL databases to store information and build custom queries for tracking production and inventory performance.
• Ramp up quickly with minimal onboarding, deliver measurable improvements within the contract period, and continuously push incremental improvements to the production floor and iterate toward world-class operations.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related technical field.
• At least 3 years of experience in a high-rate supply chain or manufacturing environment where complex mechanical and/or electrical assemblies are built with heavy data utilization.
• Hands-on experience in supply chain, logistics, and material flow within manufacturing or warehouse operations.
• Strong CAD experience, including the ability to read and interpret technical drawings and CAD data.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD as a core design tool.
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter or similar design and product data management tools.
• Ability to read technical documentation such as drawings and CAD data, with understanding of hardware manufacturing processes for electronics (PCBAs, sensor hardware), structural components, mechanical parts, and electromechanical systems.
• Experience working with vendors to specify, procure, and implement equipment solutions for material handling and storage.
• Ability to write RFPs, evaluate solutions, and manage vendors through project completion.
• Experience identifying storage or material handling needs, specifying equipment, and overseeing implementation in a production or warehouse environment.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time as required by project and site needs.
• Ability to work onsite in Columbus, OH for the full duration of the contract.
• Availability to start within a defined timeframe and commit to the full contract term.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles to drive productivity and efficiency.
• Experience delivering successful projects by being hands-on with processes and operational analysis, including error-proofing (poka-yoke) solutions.
• Experience interacting with SQL databases, including storing information and building custom queries for tracking production and inventory.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using Siemens Plant Simulation, Visual Components, or similar process simulation software to model production lines and run production scenarios.
• Experience with department or factory design and setup, including value stream mapping, flow line design, continuous flow, one-piece flow, and workstation layout.
• Demonstrated ability to completely own a value chain from start to finish, measure each process step, and create actionable tasks that result in significant and sustainable business improvements.
• Proven ability to present project results to cross-functional teams, clearly linking data insights to recommended next steps and operational changes.
• Prior experience with a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for production operations or a Warehouse Management System (WMS).
• Prior knowledge of NetSuite, Oracle, or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Strong analytical mindset with a data-driven approach to process improvement, capacity planning, and inventory accuracy.
• Comfort working in fast-paced, resource-limited environments and solving operational challenges with creative, practical solutions.
• Flexibility to provide support wherever needed to ensure products are built and shipped under stringent quality standards.

Work Environment

This role operates within a cutting-edge defense technology environment focused on transforming military capabilities through advanced hardware and software systems. The work is highly collaborative, involving close interaction with supply chain, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and business operations teams in a dynamic, fast-paced setting. You will work onsite in Columbus, OH in production and warehouse facilities that rely on modern design and simulation tools such as AutoCAD, NX, Teamcenter, and plant simulation software, as well as digital systems including MES, WMS, ERP platforms like NetSuite or Oracle, and SQL databases. The environment emphasizes data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing principles to achieve world-class operational performance. Travel to other sites may be required up to approximately 25% of the time to support multi-site programs and implementations. The culture values autonomy, hands-on problem solving, rapid iteration, and delivering impactful results in support of complex, high-technology products.

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

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/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 Ashville,OH.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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.