Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer serves as the primary technical resource supporting air-cooled chiller manufacturing operations on 2nd shift. This role focuses on designing and optimizing manufacturing layouts, developing and improving assembly and materials handling processes, and adapting equipment and tooling to production conditions. The engineer drives continuous improvement across mechanical assembly, electrical integration, controls systems, and product testing to ensure safe, efficient, and repeatable operations that consistently meet customer quality, delivery, and cost expectations.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day manufacturing engineering support for air-cooled chiller production operations.
• Manage high-complexity design and planning of factory layouts for assembly and materials handling to optimize flow and efficiency.
• Adapt machine and equipment designs to factory and production conditions, ensuring compatibility with existing processes and infrastructure.
• Plan sequences of operations and specify procedures for the fabrication of tools, equipment, and other production assets that affect product performance.
• Lead resolution of complex manufacturing issues involving mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, controls, and testing processes.
• Identify and eliminate manufacturing constraints that impact safety, product quality, delivery performance, or manufacturing cost.
• Support production teams in achieving operational performance objectives, including throughput, first-pass yield, and on-time delivery.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing processes for mechanical assembly, electrical integration, and factory testing operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, increase throughput, and improve overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flows, and standard operating procedures, to ensure consistent and repeatable processes.
• Partner with Industrial Engineering on factory flow optimization, capacity planning, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Troubleshoot electrical assemblies, control panels, wiring systems, sensors, actuators, and communication networks to resolve production issues.
• Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and controls documentation to support assembly, integration, and testing operations.
• Support root cause investigations related to electrical, controls, and software-related production issues, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and improve manufacturing processes for electrical assembly and test operations to increase reliability and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot mechanical assembly issues involving refrigeration systems, piping, structural assemblies, and electromechanical components.
• Support process improvements related to assembly methods, tooling, fixtures, and material presentation to reduce cycle time and improve ergonomics.
• Collaborate closely with Product Engineering to improve manufacturability, reduce complexity, and enhance assembly efficiency.
• Support new product launches through process development, production readiness activities, and manufacturing validation to ensure smooth ramp-up.
• Participate in design reviews and provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback to influence product designs for efficient production.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are capable of meeting safety, quality, delivery, and cost requirements before product launch.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related Technology field.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing engineering or automation experience in a production environment.
• Strong understanding of both mechanical and electrical systems in manufacturing, including assembly processes, controls, and testing.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing issues spanning product design, mechanical assembly, electrical integration, controls, and test operations.
• Experience developing and improving manufacturing processes for mechanical assembly, electrical integration, and product testing.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and controls documentation to support production.
• Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills applied to manufacturing and process optimization.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with cross-functional teams such as Operations, Quality, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Product Engineering.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and Modbus.
• Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integration and data collection systems.
• Exposure to Six Sigma or Lean manufacturing principles and methodologies.
• Experience in or understanding of refrigeration systems, piping, structural assemblies, and electromechanical components.
• Ability to contribute Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback during design reviews.
• Comfort working in a multi-shift manufacturing environment, including 2nd shift and potential weekend coverage.
• Strong collaboration mindset for partnering with Industrial Engineering on factory flow, capacity, and productivity improvement projects.
• Attention to detail in developing and maintaining accurate manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.

Work Environment

This role is based in a factory environment focused on air-cooled chiller manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on mechanical assembly, electrical integration, controls systems, and product testing. The position is primarily for 2nd shift, with the expectation of flexibility to support either standard weekday 2nd shift or 2nd shift weekend schedules as operational needs require. You will work closely with Operations, Quality, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Product Engineering teams on the production floor and in engineering spaces. The environment is fast-paced and driven by safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives, with ongoing continuous improvement initiatives and the use of Lean and Six Sigma principles. Work involves regular interaction with production equipment, tools, fixtures, and testing systems, as well as review of electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and controls documentation. Appropriate industrial attire and adherence to all safety procedures and personal protective equipment requirements are expected.

This is a Contract position based out of Charlotte, NC.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $48.00/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 Contract position based out of Charlotte, NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.

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 ziprecruiter.com 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.