Job Title: Advanced Manufacturing Automation EngineerJob Description
This role focuses on designing, optimizing, and implementing advanced, highly automated manufacturing and assembly processes in a fast-paced production environment. You will translate complex technical data packages into robust manufacturing solutions, apply lean principles to improve efficiency, and develop business cases for capital equipment and automation investments. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams and customers, strong technical and financial analysis skills, and deep experience with ERP/MRP/MES systems and real-time process controls to ensure reliable, traceable, and cost-effective production.
Responsibilities
Review project briefs and technical data packages to translate product requirements into detailed manufacturing and assembly process needs.
Define and adjust process requirements including cycle time, takt time, throughput, and quality targets to meet program objectives.
Coordinate daily with design engineering, program management, operations, and quality teams to resolve open items and mitigate risks.
Update project plans and capital expenditure requests related to equipment selection, upgrades, and automation strategies.
Develop and refine process designs and line layouts, including station concepts, material flow, ergonomics, and workforce utilization.
Conduct time studies, analyze bottlenecks, balance production lines, and apply lean tools such as 5S and Kaizen to improve efficiency.
Evaluate and down-select automation and equipment solutions, including robots, tooling, fixtures, conveyors, and sensors, using robust technical and financial business cases.
Collaborate on PLC-to-manufacturing system integration strategies to ensure seamless connectivity between controls and enterprise systems.
Ensure ERP, MRP, and MES data connections support shop-floor traceability, serialization, lot tracking, and reporting requirements.
Oversee real-time process controls, aligning cell controllers, quality systems, materials management, data collection, monitoring, reporting, and maintenance management needs.
Lead and participate in customer working sessions to clarify requirements, present process and equipment recommendations, and align on timelines and success criteria.
Prepare and maintain process documentation, including specifications, PFMEA, and other manufacturing documentation, to support launch and ongoing production.
Create and deliver status reports and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders, clearly communicating progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
Translate new technical packages into process specifications and validate them with stakeholders on a recurring basis.
Support manufacturing launch activities, including planning, design, build readiness, and participation in production trials.
Lead or support targeted continuous improvement events focused on layout optimization, WIP reduction, and changeover time reduction.
Develop capital equipment plans, including ROI and payback analyses, justification decks, and coordination with suppliers for quotations and technical reviews.
Define shop-floor data collection points and traceability strategies, including serialization, lot tracking, and dashboard reporting for process performance.
Participate in customer reviews, present program status, document risks and action items, and maintain a clear and current issue log.
Support large-scale, high-volume manufacturing programs, including ammunition-related projects, with domestic travel to production sites as needed.
Essential Skills
Minimum 10 years of experience in process, industrial, or manufacturing engineering, preferably in an automotive or similar high-volume production environment.
Strong knowledge of product development within manufacturing and production processes, from concept through launch and continuous improvement.
Hands-on experience with ERP, MRP, and MES manufacturing protocols and their integration with shop-floor systems.
Deep understanding of real-time process controls, including cell controllers, materials management systems, quality systems, and process data collection.
Proven ability to design and optimize manufacturing processes, line layouts, and material flows for efficiency and quality.
Demonstrated experience applying lean manufacturing principles, including time studies, bottleneck analysis, line balancing, 5S, and Kaizen.
Ability to develop and justify capital equipment and automation investments using ROI and payback analyses.
Strong mechanical and technical aptitude with exposure to tooling and robotics in a manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with office productivity tools such as Excel for time studies and ROI analysis, Project for schedules, PowerPoint for reviews, and Word for procedures and SOPs.
Familiarity with controls and automation systems, including PLC strategy and coordination, cell controllers, and HMI/SCADA for monitoring and reporting.
Experience working with quality and data systems, including SPC dashboards, process monitoring tools, and maintenance management systems.
Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance, which requires appropriate work authorization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with cross-functional teams and customers.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions in a complex manufacturing environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in automotive or other large-scale, high-volume manufacturing programs.
Background supporting ammunition or similar defense-related manufacturing programs is a plus.
Experience defining and implementing shop-floor traceability strategies, including serialization, lot tracking, and data dashboards.
Familiarity with CAD and layout tools for equipment placement and material flow design.
Experience with ERP/MRP/MES data mapping for orders, routings, WIP tracking, and traceability.
Knowledge of integrating PLCs and cell controllers with higher-level manufacturing systems and enterprise platforms.
Exposure to HMI/SCADA systems for real-time process monitoring and reporting.
Experience using SPC dashboards and other quality tools to monitor process capability and drive corrective actions.
Ability to lead cross-functional continuous improvement events and drive measurable productivity and quality gains.
Motivated self-starter with a positive attitude and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, quality, and customer teams.
Work Environment
This is an on-site role based in Auburn Hills, MI, working in a collaborative, project-driven manufacturing engineering environment with direct customer interaction. You will spend much of your time in an office and lab/plant setting, using tools such as Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Word, as well as ERP/MRP/MES systems, PLC and controls interfaces, and quality and maintenance management systems. The role involves close coordination with cross-functional teams and frequent engagement with production facilities to observe processes, conduct time studies, validate equipment performance, and support launches. Travel is required up to approximately 25%, including occasional local and overnight trips to company or customer facilities across the United States, including large-scale, high-volume sites on the East Coast, Midwest, and Kansas City. The culture emphasizes continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration with industry-leading partners, and offers competitive compensation, bonus potential, paid time off, comprehensive health benefits, and a generous retirement contribution.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $75.00/hr.
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 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.
