Job Title: Battery Manufacturing EngineerJob Description
This contract Battery Manufacturing Engineer role supports the Battery Manufacturing Engineering Implementation Group for electric vehicle (EV) battery production. You will lead production preparation and new model launch activities for EV battery manufacturing equipment, working onsite at a large-scale battery facility. The position focuses on planning, installing, commissioning, and launching battery production lines while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets are achieved.
Responsibilities
Lead and support production preparation and new model launch activities for EV battery manufacturing equipment, from initial planning through start of mass production.
Participate in daily written and verbal reporting, including updates to senior leadership, to communicate project status, risks, and countermeasures.
Develop detailed process plans for battery production lines within the Battery Production Engineering department with support from leadership.
Work in a highly collaborative environment with other engineers, construction management, technicians, vendors, general contractors, and cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones.
Plan, coordinate, and execute equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, pre-production trials, and launch of battery production lines.
Participate in and support advanced cleanliness protocols, including clean room practices, required for specific battery manufacturing areas.
Lead and/or support equipment trials at vendor sites and on the manufacturing floor after installation to confirm safety, quality, and productivity targets are met.
Identify punchlist items, perform root cause analysis, and manage corrective actions to close open issues in a timely manner.
Summarize key performance indicators (KPIs), support mass-production handover, and assist in resolving production issues after launch.
Engage with domestic and international cross-functional teams to review open items, align on project schedules, and track key milestones.
Create, maintain, and update detailed project schedules for assigned areas, ensuring milestone achievement and alignment with overall project timelines.
Manage budgets for assigned areas, tracking expenditures and ensuring alignment with capital investment plans.
Interpret and use 2D and 3D technical drawings, including building facilities and process equipment drawings, to guide installation and setup.
Apply manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and continuous improvement principles to optimize equipment performance and manufacturing processes.
Support and, when needed, lead activities related to machining and machine operations, electronic assembly, and battery-related manufacturing processes.
Coordinate and support production equipment installation and scheduling activities, ensuring technical requirements and deadlines are met.
Collaborate with automation, electrical control, and control system teams to integrate equipment with PLC, SCADA, MES, and related systems.
Use Microsoft Office tools to prepare reports, presentations, schedules, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
Complete required internal and external training to maintain technical competency and comply with organizational standards.
Travel domestically and occasionally internationally, as needed, to support equipment trials, vendor visits, and project coordination.
Support weekend, holiday, and shutdown-period work when project conditions and schedules require additional onsite presence.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering or a similar technical field.
Minimum 3+ years of professional experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience in production preparation and execution of capital projects, preferably from initial strategy planning through start of mass production.
Project management experience handling capital investments greater than $0.5M.
Experience creating and maintaining detailed schedules, including milestone tracking, for manufacturing equipment installation.
Ability to read and interpret 2D drawings, including building facilities and process equipment drawings.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Proficiency with 2D and 3D drafting software such as AutoCAD.
Experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or related engineering disciplines.
Hands-on experience with machining and machine operations.
Experience with electronic assembly or battery-related manufacturing processes.
Experience with production equipment installation, scheduling, and working from technical drawings.
Experience working in large-scale organizations with complex operations.
Familiarity with continuous improvement and lean manufacturing concepts.
Exposure to electrical control systems, control systems, Ethernet-based industrial networks, and automation environments.
Ability to travel for business, both domestically and internationally, up to approximately 10% as required by projects.
Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, and during plant shutdown periods (such as July and December) when project conditions require it.
Strong communication skills for daily written and verbal reporting to management and cross-functional teams.
Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse technical and non-technical stakeholders across multiple functions.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in automotive battery manufacturing environments.
Mitsubishi PLC programming experience.
SCADA systems experience, including configuration and monitoring.
Manufacturing Execution System (MES) experience.
Experience with Kepware software or similar SCADA data systems.
PLC experience, including the ability to read, interpret, and modify PLC programs.
Laser welding experience in a production environment.
Proven and advanced machining experience beyond basic operation.
Experience with automation systems, including integration of PLC, SCADA, MES, and control systems.
Familiarity with lean manufacturing tools and methodologies.
Comfort working within cross-functional and multinational project teams.
Interest in long-term, open-ended contract roles supporting electric vehicle battery production and new model launches.
Work Environment
This role is based 100% onsite at a large EV battery manufacturing facility in Liberty, North Carolina, within the Battery Manufacturing Engineering Implementation Group. You will work closely with teams focused on electrode, module, and powertrain operations that support electric vehicle battery production setup and new model launches. The position requires regular interaction on the manufacturing floor and in clean room environments, where advanced cleanliness protocols are followed. The work involves frequent engagement with production equipment, machining operations, electronic assembly areas, and automation systems such as PLC, SCADA, MES, Ethernet-based networks, and associated control systems. The schedule is primarily Monday through Friday onsite, with the expectation of approximately 25% overtime based on project needs and the possibility of weekend, holiday, and plant shutdown work during critical phases. Travel within the United States can be up to approximately 25%, with limited international travel to locations such as Japan, Canada, and Mexico for vendor trials, coordination, or training. The environment emphasizes collaboration, long-term project planning, and continuous learning, with stable, long-duration contracts and opportunities to gain deep experience in EV battery manufacturing. Consultants receive paid time off, paid holidays, and overtime compensation for hours worked over 40, and travel arrangements are supported. The culture supports work-life balance where possible, while also providing exposure to complex, large-scale manufacturing projects and advanced automation technologies.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Liberty, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/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 Liberty,NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 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.
