Manufacturing Engineer
Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer leads and mentors a small engineering team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, driving process development, line scalability, and continuous improvement to optimize production output. This role works predominantly on the manufacturing floor, collaborating closely with production, engineering, quality, and operations to resolve escalated issues, implement lean manufacturing practices, and ensure manufacturing goals and deadlines are consistently achieved.
Responsibilities
Lead, mentor, and direct an engineering team that includes a mechanical designer, a manufacturing engineer, and multiple engineering technicians.
Support project-based initiatives and escalated work items associated with a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Lead process development efforts to optimize manufacturing output, including improving cycle time, yield, and efficiency.
Work predominantly on the manufacturing floor to understand process gaps, equipment challenges, material flow issues, and other obstacles to production performance.
Interact closely with production, engineering, quality, and operations teams to ensure overall product and facility output goals are met.
Coach and demonstrate lean manufacturing techniques, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Lead production issue escalation and on-floor troubleshooting (mechanical, electrical, and process) to ensure rapid containment and resolution.
Drive manufacturing performance by designing and optimizing inverter assembly processes and related manufacturing operations.
Enable scalable operations by standardizing work, supporting manufacturing line setup and ramp-ups, and ensuring robust processes.
Collaborate with design engineering to validate product manufacturability and align design intent with production capabilities.
Translate engineering bills of materials (EBOMs) into manufacturing bills of materials (MBOMs) in a PLM-integrated environment.
Support and manage Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integration activities to improve visibility and control of production processes.
Utilize NetSuite ERP for routing, operations, and work order management, ensuring accurate material consumption and efficient workflow.
Apply project management skills to plan, prioritize, and track high-priority projects and process improvement initiatives.
Communicate regularly with leadership and department heads to summarize progress on key projects, escalations, and performance goals.
Design and refine fixtures, layouts, and tooling using 3D CAD to support efficient and reliable manufacturing.
Set up new manufacturing lines and scale existing lines to meet increasing production demand.
Implement and support Kanban systems and other lean tools to improve material flow and reduce waste.
Ensure high levels of material consumption accuracy and data integrity across manufacturing operations.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Electrical Engineering, with Mechanical Engineering also considered.
5+ years of experience in a fast-paced manufacturing engineering role.
Strong working knowledge of NetSuite ERP, including routing, operations, and work order management.
Proven ability to translate EBOMs to MBOMs in a PLM-integrated environment.
Experience leading and mentoring engineering and technical team members on the manufacturing floor.
Demonstrated expertise in manufacturing engineering, including process development and optimization.
Hands-on experience with continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies.
Ability to lead production issue escalation and on-floor troubleshooting for mechanical, electrical, and process-related problems.
Proficiency in 3D CAD (ideally CREO or SolidWorks) for designing fixtures, layouts, and validating product manufacturability.
Experience with Manufacturing Execution System (MES) integration and usage.
Strong project management skills to drive initiatives from concept through implementation.
Ability to standardize work, support line setups, and manage production ramp-ups.
Strong communication skills to interface effectively with production, engineering, quality, operations, and leadership.
Ability to coach and train others in lean manufacturing techniques and best practices.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working in a rapidly growing manufacturing organization.
Familiarity with inverter assembly processes or similar complex electromechanical assemblies.
Hands-on experience implementing and managing Kanban systems.
Demonstrated ability to improve material consumption accuracy and inventory control.
Experience working with cross-functional teams to align design, manufacturing, and quality requirements.
Ability to balance autonomy with collaboration in a team-focused environment.
Motivation to contribute to long-term, direct opportunities with potential for bonuses and comprehensive benefits.
Work Environment
This role primarily supports a new manufacturing facility and involves spending approximately 70% of the time on the manufacturing floor and 30% in an office environment. The position operates in a fast-paced, hands-on production setting, working closely with production lines, equipment, and materials to identify and resolve issues in real time. The environment emphasizes collaboration with production, engineering, quality, and operations teams, and supports a culture of continuous improvement, lean practices, and standardized work. Team members benefit from a combination of autonomy and strong team support, with access to modern engineering tools such as 3D CAD and integrated ERP and MES systems. The role is structured as a long-term, direct opportunity with access to holidays, vacation, and benefits, as well as eligibility for bonuses when direct.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Simpsonville, SC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $53.00/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 Simpsonville,SC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
