Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer 4 applies advanced engineering theories and principles to optimize industrial layouts and manufacturing production processes. This role focuses on improving efficiency, quality, and workflow by analyzing time, motion, methods, and equipment utilization, while creating and interpreting detailed engineering drawings and blueprints. The engineer serves as a key technical leader, driving continuous improvement across production operations and ensuring that standards, methods, and layouts support optimal performance.

Responsibilities

• Study time, motion, methods, and speed involved in maintenance, production, and other operations to establish standard production rates and improve overall efficiency.
• Review worker logs, product processing sheets, and specification sheets to verify that records comply with established quality assurance specifications.
• Review and approve work assignments in alignment with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, and anticipated delays to ensure smooth operations.
• Analyze charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization, and use these insights to optimize production processes.
• Evaluate data and reports to validate adherence to existing standards and identify deviations that require corrective actions.
• Recommend modifications to existing quality or production standards to achieve optimum quality within the limits of equipment capability.
• Propose revisions to methods of operation, material handling practices, equipment layout, and other process elements to increase production output and improve performance standards.
• Create and refine engineering sketches and drawings that clearly communicate design intent and process requirements.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports to guide manufacturing and layout decisions.
• Leverage computer applications and engineering software, including Computer Aided Design (CAD), to develop, analyze, and document manufacturing solutions.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to team members, offering support and constructive performance feedback to build capability and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate as a team player across engineering, production, and quality functions to implement innovative ideas and improvements.
• Apply critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills to address complex manufacturing challenges and support strategic decision-making.

Essential Skills

• Strong creativity combined with clear verbal and written communication skills to convey technical concepts and improvement proposals.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities to evaluate data, identify issues, and develop effective manufacturing solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a collaborative team player while maintaining a high level of detail orientation.
• Critical thinking mindset with the ability to leverage innovative ideas to improve processes and standards.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills to provide guidance, support, and constructive performance feedback to colleagues.
• Advanced ability to create sketches and engineering drawings and perform common engineering computations.
• Advanced ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, and computer-generated reports.
• Previous experience using computer applications and engineering software related to the manufacturing field, including Computer Aided Design (CAD).
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• 8–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience in manufacturing environments where time and motion studies, workflow analysis, and layout optimization are required.
• Experience validating production and quality standards and recommending data-driven improvements.
• Background in developing or refining equipment layouts and material handling methods to support efficient production.
• Comfort working with technical documentation, reports, and metrics to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Work Environment

This role operates within a manufacturing environment that relies on detailed engineering documentation, production records, and quality assurance specifications to guide daily operations. The Manufacturing Engineer 4 regularly interacts with production, maintenance, and quality teams on the shop floor and in office settings, using charts, graphs, diagrams, blueprints, and computer-generated reports to analyze workflow and equipment utilization. Computer Aided Design (CAD) and related engineering software are standard tools, supporting the creation of engineering drawings and layouts. Work typically follows structured production schedules, with the need to anticipate and manage potential delays while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency. The environment encourages collaboration, continuous improvement, and the sharing of innovative ideas to enhance processes and performance.

This is a Contract position based out of Pontiac, IL.

The pay range for this position is $63.00 - $63.00/hr.

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 Pontiac,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 15, 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 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.