Manufacturing Engineer

Reference: 630321Posted: 2026-10-05Location: Irvine, CACompany: Planet Pharma GroupContact: ApplicationsEmail: View email address on click.appcast.io PR Range: 48-58/hr DOESummary: The main function of a manufacturing engineer is to apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production. A typical manufacturing engineer has the ability to make engineering drawings and read and interpret blueprints. We are seeking a senior-level engineering contractor to own two high-priority workstreams: validating a highly customized piece of equipment (essentially a large, custom oven) and managing an external vendor through the design and implementation of an entirely new system. This is not a narrowly technical role — it combines hands-on engineering judgment with coordination and delivery leadership.Job Responsibilities:

• Study time, motion, methods, and speed involved in maintenance, production, and other operations to establish standard production rate and improve efficiency.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, or formulas and confer with management or engineering staff to determine quality and reliability standards.
• Read worker logs, product processing sheets, and specification sheets, to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
• Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, and anticipated delays.
• Prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization.
• Observe worker using equipment to verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards.
• Observe workers operating equipment or performing tasks to determine time involved and fatigue rate using timing devices.
• Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.

Equipment Validation –

• Lead formal qualification and validation of a highly customized mechanical/thermal equipment system.
• Apply structured validation discipline to non-standard, custom-built machinery with moving parts and heat-related operating conditions.
• Independently define validation scope, approach, and success criteria for equipment whose risk profile spans performance consistency, safety, and process reliability.

Project & Vendor Management –

• Act as the company-side lead coordinating an outside vendor through the design of a new system.
• Translate internal expectations into executable vendor deliverables and drive accountability throughout the engagement.
• Oversee implementation and deployment of the resulting system, not just design discussions.
• Keep workstreams on track across technical and external stakeholders.Skills:
• Creativity, verbal and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Team player and detail oriented.
• Ability to make sketches, engineering drawings and common computations.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawing, schematics and computer-generated reports.
• Previous experience with computer applications and software related to engineering field, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).Required Qualifications:
• **Senior-level engineering contractor experience** with a demonstrated ability to step in quickly and operate with minimal ramp-up.
• **Hands-on equipment validation experience**, particularly with machinery involving:
• Ovens and thermal systems
• Motors and rotating equipment
• Custom or complex electromechanical machinery
• **Strong project management discipline** — ability to plan, coordinate, and drive cross-functional workstreams to completion.
• **Vendor management experience** — proven track record of managing third-party vendors, driving accountability, and bridging internal expectations with external deliverables.
• Comfort working in **less standardized environments** where equipment is not off-the-shelf and validation approaches must be adapted.

— Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Can independently structure and drive a validation effort from ambiguity to execution.
• Brings practical breadth across mechanical, rotating, and heat-based systems — not limited to purely software, documentation-only, or narrowly regulated validation work.
• Operates with enough seniority to manage ambiguity, push external partners, and bridge engineering execution with delivery management.
• Reduces the burden on the internal team by absorbing ownership and creating structure.

— What Success Looks Like:

• The custom equipment is validated and qualified with clear, defensible results.
• The vendor-driven system design progresses on schedule with accountable deliverables.
• Internal stakeholders have reduced management overhead because the contractor owns coordination end-to-end.
• Both workstreams move forward in parallel without one blocking the other.Education/Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• 5-7 years’ experience required.