Job Description Industrial Engineer - Materials Flow Engineering
The Industrial Engineer - Materials Flow Engineering will join a newly created team focused on transforming material flow and production efficiency across high-volume, high-mix fabrication and assembly plants. This role manages projects related to storage and space routings, standard work and material handling, lineside planning, and optimizing material and workflow routes within the facilities. The engineer will lead process mapping, value stream analysis, cycle time optimization, change management, and plan-for-every-part strategies to support a transition from bulk material and storage lines to just-in-time sequence ordering for manufacturing.
Responsibilities
Manage and optimize routings for material storage, space utilization, and material flow within manufacturing facilities.
Develop and maintain standard work processes for material handling and workflow across fabrication and assembly operations.
Plan and optimize lineside material presentation, including line-side routes and forklift routes, to improve efficiency and safety.
Conduct detailed process mapping and create process flow diagrams to document current and future state operations.
Perform value stream mapping and analyze cycle times to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
Lead and support change management initiatives related to material flow, layout changes, and process improvements.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive plan for every part, including capacity calculations and material routing strategies.
Apply lean manufacturing, line balancing, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance throughput and reduce waste.
Use simulation and plant layout tools to design, test, and implement optimized facility layouts and material flow patterns.
Conduct time studies to measure work content, validate standards, and support labor and capacity planning.
Analyze data using Excel, ERP systems, and Power BI to monitor performance, identify trends, and support decision-making.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams in plastics fabrication, raw sheet metal fabrication, and purchased component assembly to align material flow with production needs.
Support the transition from bulk material and storage lines to just-in-time sequence ordering for manufacturing.
Document improvements, create standard operating procedures, and train stakeholders on new processes and workflows.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.
3+ years of experience with process mapping and value stream cycle time analysis.
3+ years of experience conducting time studies in a manufacturing environment.
3+ years of experience developing and managing plan-for-every-part strategies and capacity calculations.
3+ years of experience working with systems such as Excel and ERP for production and materials data.
3+ years of experience using Power BI for operational and performance analysis.
Strong experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or materials engineering.
Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and line balancing.
Proficiency in process flow design, process flow diagrams, and process optimization.
Experience with plant layout, layout planning, and simulation tools to improve material and workflow.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes in high-volume, high-mix fabrication and assembly environments, including plastics and raw sheet metal fabrication and purchased components.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience applying Lean Six Sigma principles to reduce waste and improve process performance.
Familiarity with value stream mapping and material flow optimization in complex manufacturing plants.
Ability to interpret and use data from ERP systems and business intelligence tools for continuous improvement.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams in engineering, operations, and materials.
Experience in change management related to process, layout, and material flow transformation.
Ability to work independently on multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $43.27 - $49.52/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 Madison,WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 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.
