Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on bringing soft goods seating concepts from industrial design through to full-scale production. You will serve as a key liaison between the design team and a manufacturing plant in Mexico, translating drawings and specifications into clear work instructions, supporting assembly processes, and driving continuous improvement across manufacturing operations. The position is fully on-site and requires hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment, particularly with soft goods, sewing, upholstery, or upholstered furniture.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with industrial designers to translate seat concepts, drawings, and specifications into manufacturable products.

• Serve as a liaison between the industrial design team and the Mexico manufacturing plant to ensure smooth transition from conception to production.

• Prepare, update, and maintain detailed work instructions and production documentation for seat assembly and related processes.

• Support the Mexico plant in putting new seating products into production, including clarifying specifications and resolving production-related questions.

• Oversee the full lifecycle of new seating products from initial concept through to stable production, ensuring quality and manufacturability.

• Conduct root cause analysis on manufacturing and assembly issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Work closely with engineers and cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes and improve product quality and consistency.

• Apply continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and streamline workflows.

• Ensure that all documentation and work instructions remain current, accurate, and aligned with evolving product and process requirements.

• Provide occasional on-site support at the Mexico plant as needed, potentially including travel approximately once per year.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience working in a manufacturing environment with engineers and cross-functional teams.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including assembly workflows and production operations.

• Experience creating, reviewing, and maintaining clear and detailed work instructions and manufacturing documentation.

• Hands-on experience with soft goods, including sewing, upholstery, or upholstered furniture, to support seat assembly processes.

• Ability to perform root cause analysis and implement effective process improvements.

• Knowledge of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles.

• Solid engineering foundation in manufacturing engineering or a closely related discipline.

• Ability to communicate effectively between design and production teams, including international collaboration.

• Willingness and ability to travel to a Mexico manufacturing plant as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience specifically in upholstered furniture or similar soft goods products is highly beneficial.

• Experience in process improvement initiatives within a manufacturing setting.

• Comfort working with industrial designers and translating design intent into practical manufacturing solutions.

• Familiarity with structured problem-solving methodologies and documentation of corrective actions.

• Strong attention to detail in documentation, work instructions, and production standards.

• Ability to adapt to evolving product requirements and production needs in a dynamic environment.

Work Environment

This is a fully on-site role working closely with the manufacturing team and industrial designers in a collaborative, hands-on production environment. You will spend significant time on the shop floor observing processes, supporting assembly operations, and refining work instructions. The role involves regular interaction with an international manufacturing plant in Mexico, including occasional travel, and requires comfort in a fast-paced, production-focused setting where continuous improvement and teamwork are central to the culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milwaukee, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65000.00 - $75000.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Milwaukee, WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Milwaukee,WI.

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.