Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support an innovative aerospace and defense company developing advanced aircraft systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing and scaling production operations from low-volume builds into a repeatable, efficient, and documented manufacturing process. This role requires a hands-on engineer who enjoys working directly on the production floor with technicians while collaborating closely with design engineering to improve manufacturability and product quality.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement assembly line layouts, workstation designs, material flow, and production takt strategies.

• Develop and maintain work instructions, travelers, checklists, and manufacturing records.

• Design, source, and implement assembly fixtures, tooling, and production test equipment.

• Establish in-process and end-of-line testing and inspection procedures.

• Define manufacturing acceptance criteria in collaboration with engineering teams.

• Monitor production metrics including yield, throughput, cycle time, and defect rates.

• Conduct root cause investigations and implement corrective actions.

• Provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) recommendations during product management, kitting processes, and MRP/ERP implementation.

• Train assembly technicians and ensure adherence to safety, ESD, and workmanship requirements.

• Coordinate with suppliers and contract manufacturers regarding quality and production requirements.

Essential Skills

• Experience in manufacturing engineering, particularly in developing, launching, and supporting electromechanical assembly processes.

• Ability to design production layouts, assembly stations, material flow, and scalable manufacturing processes.

• Experience creating and maintaining work instructions, travelers, checklists, and manufacturing documentation.

• Strong experience in continuous improvement, yield improvement, defect reduction, corrective actions, and production optimization.

• Experience designing assembly fixtures, tooling, and test equipment using CAD software such as SolidWorks.

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.

• 3+ years of experience supporting or establishing electromechanical assembly operations.

• Experience creating work instructions and manufacturing documentation.

• CAD experience utilizing SolidWorks or similar software for fixture and tooling design.

• Ability to analyze production metrics and drive process improvements.

• Strong understanding of production workflows and assembly operations.

• Preferred experience in aerospace, defense, UAV/UAS, or aviation manufacturing.

• Knowledge of IPC-A-610 standards.

• Experience implementing or managing ESD programs.

• Familiarity with AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality systems.

• Hands-on machining, 3D printing, or tooling fabrication experience.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production planning.

Work Environment

This position is within an early-stage defense startup focused on aircraft production. The role is highly hands-on, working directly with technicians, manufacturing personnel, and engineering teams. The work environment includes a combination of production floor, engineering workspace, and testing environments. The company culture is fast-paced and mission-driven, offering significant ownership and autonomy. Daily interaction with design engineering is expected to improve manufacturability and production efficiency. The opportunity includes exposure to cutting-edge aerospace and defense technologies, a strong benefits package, and a collaborative environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/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 Auburn Hills,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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.