Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing EngineerJob Description

The Manufacturing Engineer will support an aerospace sheet metal forming facility in Chandler, AZ by developing efficient, cost-effective manufacturing processes for complex sheet metal components. The role focuses on translating engineering designs, CAD models, specifications, and purchase order requirements into robust production methods, tooling, and process plans that achieve high quality at the lowest practical cost. The engineer will lead and support new product introduction, continuous improvement, and customer liaison activities within an AS9100-regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development projects related to the design and development of new products and services, particularly in aerospace sheet metal manufacturing.

• Contribute to and follow project plans for new product development orders, ensuring tasks progress on schedule and meet technical and quality requirements.

• Prepare detailed shop operation sketches, instruction sheets, bills of materials, tool orders, and other process documentation to define the most cost-effective integrated fabrication and inspection methods.

• Review customer documentation and specifications and ensure that all manufacturing plans, routings, and process instructions fully reflect customer requirements.

• Design and create complete tooling and fixturing drawings using CAD software to support sheet metal fabrication processes, and develop work orders and plans to fabricate tooling either in-house or through outside suppliers.

• Serve as an engineering liaison with customers, maintaining specific knowledge of customer quality requirements and specifications and communicating effectively to address technical issues and inquiries.

• Resolve implementation and process problems on the shop floor and respond quickly to liaison requests related to manufacturing issues.

• Provide technical assistance to shop and inspection personnel, perform MRB (Material Review Board) dispositions, and conduct investigations to resolve quality and process problems.

• Maintain close working relationships with all departments and individuals involved in assigned projects and coordinate with customer representatives as necessary to support program success.

• Monitor manufacturing cell metrics, including gross margin, scrap, rework, 5S, and other continuous improvement indicators, and identify improvement opportunities with actionable plans to address them.

• Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hours, cost data, and other metrics to support cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives.

• Consult with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders to discuss and formulate estimates, clarify requirements, and resolve technical or process issues.

• Create and maintain process layouts and routings, ensuring accurate and efficient workflow definitions for 3-7 years of experience in this area.

• Apply GD&T principles in daily work to ensure accurate interpretation and communication of dimensional and tolerance requirements on drawings and process documents.

• Use lean tools such as Six Sigma and value stream mapping (VSM) to identify and implement process improvements across manufacturing cells.

• Support or participate in multi-axis programming activities, such as laser cutting or other CNC processes, where applicable.

• Perform all other related duties as assigned to support production, engineering, and continuous improvement objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Engineering, or at least seven (7) years of related experience, or a combination of education and experience in a manufacturing environment focused on exotic sheet metal, preferably in aerospace.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in manufacturing engineering, tooling design, and manufacturing process development for metal forming and aerospace sheet metal components; candidates without a degree may require 10-15 years of relevant experience.

• Experience with sheet metal fabrication methods such as hydroforming, heat treat, brazing, laser cutting, brake forming, welding (TIG and resistance), and NDT processes; in some roles, at least seven (7) years of experience with these methods is required.

• Proficiency in sheet metal manufacturing methods using metals such as aluminum, nickel alloys, stainless steels, and titanium, with at least seven (7) years of experience in these materials in certain positions.

• Strong CAD modeling experience, including designing tools and fixtures for sheet metal forming; candidates should have at least seven (7) years of CAD experience and be able to rate their CAD ability at 7/10 or higher.

• Ability to design tooling for sheet metal forming using CAD, with a minimum of three (3) years of experience with a BS degree or seven (7) years without a degree.

• Daily, practical command of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), demonstrated through consistent use in recent work experience.

• Experience in process layout and routing creation, typically 3-7 years of hands-on work defining and documenting manufacturing processes.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Project, for documentation, reporting, and project management.

• Familiarity with ERP systems for managing bills of materials, routings, work orders, and related production data.

• Understanding and practical use of lean tools such as Six Sigma and value stream mapping (VSM), with at least seven (7) years of experience using these tools in some roles.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, legal documents, and customer specifications.

• Ability to respond professionally to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

• Ability to effectively present information to immediate supervisors and upper management, both verbally and in writing.

• Strong mathematical skills, including probability, statistical inference, plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry, applied to manufacturing and process engineering problems.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and interpret complex technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form while managing both abstract and concrete variables.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in an aerospace sheet metal manufacturing environment, particularly with exotic metals and complex formed components.

• Experience with CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, NX, or comparable 3D CAD programs for modeling parts, tools, and fixtures.

• Experience with multi-axis programming, ideally for laser cutting equipment, though programming experience on other multi-axis machines is also valuable.

• Background in process engineering, machining, and fixture design to support integrated manufacturing solutions.

• Experience with heat treat processes and their integration into overall manufacturing process flows.

• Familiarity with press brake and roll forming operations for aerospace sheet metal components.

• Experience with Mastercam or similar CAM software for programming machining or cutting operations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage project plans and move work forward proactively without waiting for detailed direction at each step.

• Experience working within AS9100 or similar quality management systems in aerospace or other highly regulated industries.

• Exposure to continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S and lean manufacturing cell development.

• Comfort working with clients, vendors, and cross-functional teams to align technical requirements and resolve issues efficiently.

Work Environment

The role is based in an aerospace sheet metal forming contract manufacturing facility operating under AS9100 regulations. The environment centers on the production of complex components made from exotic metals such as aluminum, nickel alloys, stainless steel, and titanium using processes like hydroforming, heat treat, brazing, laser cutting, brake forming, welding (TIG and resistance), NDT, press brake, and roll forming. The Manufacturing Engineer will work closely with production, quality, and inspection teams on the shop floor and in an office setting, using CAD software (such as SolidWorks, NX, or similar), ERP systems, Microsoft Office, and potentially CAM tools like Mastercam. The facility emphasizes lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement within manufacturing cells, with a strong focus on meeting aerospace quality and regulatory requirements. The organization is growing, adding new programs and customers, and investing in infrastructure and people, offering a dynamic environment with significant opportunities to contribute to new product introductions and long-term program growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $115000.00/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.

Bonus program based on company results up to 6% achieved 50% of the time in recent years. 401K match up to 6% Medical/ Dental/ Vision Life Insurance

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Phoenix,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 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 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.