Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer works closely with the production team to identify and implement practical improvements that increase efficiency, improve material flow, and support a smooth, reliable manufacturing process. This hands-on role responds to production needs in real time, analyzes assembly line performance, identifies bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement, and develops solutions that reduce cycle time, waste, and downtime. The Manufacturing Engineer also designs and maintains kanban systems, supports process and layout improvements, and collaborates cross-functionally with Production, Quality, and Supply Chain to quickly resolve issues and drive continuous improvement on the manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities

• Complete engineering tasks and requests assigned by the production team, prioritizing work that keeps the assembly line running smoothly.

• Identify, design, and implement assembly line efficiency improvements that reduce cycle time, cut waste, and eliminate bottlenecks.

• Design, build, and maintain kanban systems that align material replenishment with actual consumption on the production line.

• Partner with production, quality, and supply chain teams to troubleshoot issues as they arise and implement effective fixes quickly.

• Document process changes, work instructions, and standard operating procedures to ensure improvements are sustained over time.

• Track the impact of process and layout changes using real data and regularly report on efficiency gains and performance metrics.

• Support changes to tooling, fixtures, and production layouts to improve material flow, ergonomics, and overall line performance.

• Apply process design, implementation, and validation principles to develop robust, repeatable manufacturing processes.

Essential Skills

• Experience in manufacturing engineering with a focus on production and assembly line support.

• Proven ability to drive measurable efficiency improvements on a production or assembly line.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on practical, implementable solutions.

• Comfort working directly with production teams and translating floor-level needs into effective engineering solutions.

• Experience and deep understanding of process design, implementation, and validation.

• Hands-on experience with process improvement and continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.

• Knowledge and application of lean manufacturing principles, including kanban, kaizen, 5S, and value stream mapping.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.

• Demonstrated ability to design, build, and maintain kanban systems that support efficient material flow.

• Experience documenting work instructions and standard operating procedures for production environments.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Production, Quality, and Supply Chain.

• Strong communication skills for clearly conveying process changes and improvement initiatives to shop-floor personnel and stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hands-on manufacturing and assembly environment, working closely with production teams on the shop floor. The Manufacturing Engineer frequently observes and analyzes line performance, interacts with operators and technicians, and supports tooling, fixtures, and layout changes to improve flow and ergonomics. The work involves using lean manufacturing tools and methods to design and refine processes, maintain kanban systems, and validate improvements. The environment is fast-paced and focused on continuous improvement, with a strong emphasis on safety, collaboration, and practical, data-driven decision-making.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Anaheim,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 6, 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.