Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer plays a key role in driving cross-functional problem-solving, process improvement, and project execution across production, supply chain, quality, and engineering teams. This position focuses on optimizing vehicle assembly processes, implementing new manufacturing methods, supporting new product launches, and leading engineering projects that deliver cost savings, higher productivity, and improved quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional problem-solving and process improvement initiatives in collaboration with supply chain, vendor partners, and suppliers.
• Initiate and lead the development and optimization of engineering projects, including cost savings initiatives and implementation of new manufacturing processes.
• Define and implement general assembly inline and end-of-line vehicle process requirements in partnership with vehicle design, software, and integration teams to support new product launches.
• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machinery, and layout upgrades to meet production demand and improve throughput.
• Perform cost-benefit analyses and calculate return on investment (ROI), risk, and value for projects to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Develop and maintain project performance metrics, including leading, lagging, and predictive indicators, to monitor and improve operational performance.
• Manage financial planning for assigned projects, creating and adhering to project budgets and ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Lead prototype builds and vehicle commissioning activities during vehicle testing, ensuring successful integration of new components and processes.
• Implement process improvement methodologies and tools, such as value stream mapping, structured problem-solving, and visual management, to reduce build hours, minimize quality issues, increase production rates, and eliminate waste across multiple departments.
• Effectively balance safety, quality, throughput, cost, and people considerations to deliver maximum value to customers and the organization.
• Review work performed by production teams and external vendors, identify service quality risks, and collaborate with the quality team to drive performance improvement initiatives internally and externally.
• Optimize vehicle components and manufacturing processes in collaboration with cross-functional teams, taking into account key performance indicators such as quality, productivity, and capital expenditure.
• Support day-to-day production of vehicles and components by working closely with technicians, quality, and supply chain teams to resolve issues and maintain smooth operations.
• Analyze and disposition manufacturing discrepancies, and partner with the quality team to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Establish strong cross-functional relationships with engineering, supplier quality, and manufacturing teams, including Body-In-Black and General Assembly.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing and test plans for processes, products, and system integration.
• Create and manage manufacturing bills of materials (BOMs), work instructions, and specifications to ensure clear, accurate, and up-to-date documentation.
• Develop, educate, update, and improve standards for items and processes within assigned scope to promote consistency and best practices.
• Create and enhance preventive maintenance plans for tools, tooling, shop aids, equipment, and facilities within assigned scope to ensure reliability and uptime.
• Create standards and inspection criteria for parts and products to support robust quality control.
• Perform Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs) for operations within assigned scope to identify and mitigate risks.
• Lead investigations into process issues that result in test failures and drive all issues to resolution, including immediate containment and permanent corrective solutions.
• Collaborate effectively in a cross-functional team environment, demonstrating strong teamwork and the ability to work with diverse functional groups to achieve company-wide goals.
• Assist with special projects as required, contributing engineering expertise and process insight.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support manufacturing, engineering, and continuous improvement objectives.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated experience in process improvement, including the ability to analyze current-state processes and implement effective changes.
• Hands-on experience with layout changes and layout design in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in capacity analysis to ensure production lines and equipment meet demand requirements.
• Strong understanding of material flow and ability to design and optimize efficient flow of materials through production.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects involving supply chain, production, quality, and engineering teams.
• Ability to perform cost-benefit analysis and calculate return on investment (ROI) for capital and process improvement projects.
• Skill in developing and using project performance metrics, including leading, lagging, and predictive indicators.
• Experience in financial planning for engineering or manufacturing projects, including creating and managing project budgets.
• Proficiency with process improvement methodologies and tools such as value stream mapping, structured problem-solving, and visual management.
• Ability to manage and balance safety, quality, throughput, cost, and workforce considerations in decision-making.
• Experience reviewing vendor and production work, identifying quality risks, and partnering with quality teams to improve performance.
• Capability to optimize components and processes for manufacturability while considering quality, productivity, and capital expenditure.
• Experience creating and managing manufacturing BOMs, work instructions, and specifications.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance planning for tools, equipment, and facilities.
• Experience creating standards and inspection criteria for parts and products.
• Proficiency in conducting PFMEAs for manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical skills for investigating process issues and driving root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and collaborate with multiple departments to achieve shared goals.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in automotive or vehicle manufacturing environments is beneficial.
• Background in prototype builds and vehicle commissioning is an advantage.
• Familiarity with capital equipment selection and implementation in production settings.
• Experience supporting new product launches from an engineering or manufacturing perspective.
• Exposure to supplier quality collaboration and vendor performance improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly document processes, standards, and work instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on reducing waste and enhancing efficiency across departments.

Work Environment

This role operates in a dynamic manufacturing environment focused on vehicle production and assembly. The Manufacturing Engineer works closely with production technicians, quality specialists, supply chain professionals, and engineering teams on the shop floor and in office settings. The position involves regular interaction with capital equipment, assembly lines, and testing areas, as well as the use of standard engineering and process improvement tools. Work may include periods of hands-on activity in production areas, observation of assembly processes, and participation in prototype builds and vehicle testing. The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with a culture that values collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and proactive problem-solving.

This is a Contract position based out of Torrance, CA.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/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 Torrance,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 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 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.