Job Title: Manufacturing EngineerJob Description
This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on developing and improving manufacturing processes for complex products, with an emphasis on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement. You will create detailed work instructions, collaborate closely with production teams, and use data-driven methods to optimize processes and resolve issues. This position offers strong growth opportunities within a stable, expanding organization that promotes from within and supports professional development.
Responsibilities
Develop detailed work instructions and visual aids for product assembly to ensure consistent, high-quality manufacturing.
Interface daily with production operators and technicians to establish and refine manufacturing standards and methods for inspection, testing, and product qualification.
Interpret and apply technical documentation related to product manufacturing and acceptability, including schematics, engineering drawings, customer-controlled specifications, and military or industry standards.
Support the implementation of key metrics by recording, summarizing, and presenting data and information to department operations.
Monitor trends in quality data such as yields, defects per million, scrap, and corrective action reports, and use this data to drive improvements.
Execute corrective actions in response to product and process failures and identify continual improvement opportunities.
Lead and support root cause analysis activities to resolve manufacturing issues and prevent recurrence.
Drive optimization of process efficiency and effectiveness through close collaboration with production operators, supervisors, and technicians.
Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance throughput, reduce waste, and improve overall process performance.
Contribute to maintaining compliance with relevant industry, customer, and regulatory standards in regulated environments such as aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in a related discipline preferred (such as Mechanical Engineering or a similar engineering field; BSME strongly aligned with the role).
1+ years of experience in a manufacturing engineering-related role.
Hands-on experience with manufacturing engineering principles and practices in a production environment.
Proven ability to perform root cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
Experience with process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes and methods, including process optimization and standardization.
Familiarity with lean manufacturing concepts and tools.
Ability to interpret schematics, engineering drawings, customer-controlled specifications, and military/industry standards.
Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software for manufacturing-related applications.
Strong analytical skills to monitor and interpret quality data such as yields, defects per million, scrap, and corrective action metrics.
Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with operators, technicians, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
Eligibility to work in regulated environments such as government, aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial applications.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or closely related engineering discipline.
Experience working in environments that support connectors, cables, or fiber optics products.
Background in regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, or industrial manufacturing.
Demonstrated ability to document processes clearly through work instructions and visual aids.
Experience presenting technical data and operational metrics to engineering or operations leadership.
Familiarity with key performance indicators and metrics used in manufacturing and quality operations.
Interest in professional growth within quality, engineering, and other technical departments.
Motivation to participate in ongoing training and education, supported by tuition reimbursement programs when eligible.
Work Environment
The role operates within a collaborative manufacturing engineering group that includes engineers and technicians, reporting into the manufacturing engineering function. The company is a local mid-sized organization supporting connectors and cables for fiber optics and serving regulated markets such as government, aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial sectors. The environment emphasizes data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration with production operators, technicians, and supervisors on the manufacturing floor. The organization is backed by strong investment, is experiencing sustained growth, and has a culture of promoting from within. Team members have opportunities to move into quality and other departments as the business expands, and may be eligible for tuition reimbursement once directly employed by the organization. The work setting is professional, focused on compliance with industry and customer standards, and oriented toward long-term stability and career development.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Waseca, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60000.00 - $90000.00/yr.
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 Waseca,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 24, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
