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Job Title: Manufacturing Engineering Assistant
Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineering Assistant supports the engineering team by handling day-to-day engineering tasks, allowing engineers to focus on complex projects and customer needs. This role is ideal for a recent high school graduate or early-career professional with basic CAD exposure and a strong interest in manufacturing and steel fabrication. The position offers hands-on experience with CAD, manufacturing processes, and engineering support in a small, family-owned company that provides clear opportunities for growth into a full Manufacturing Engineer role.
Responsibilities
Support Manufacturing Engineers with day-to-day engineering tasks to help manage workload related to new projects and customers.
Use CAD software to pull and review files, navigate drawings, and support engineering documentation.
Review and interpret drawings, including taking measurements and dimensions accurately.
Assist with creating, updating, and organizing manufacturing process documentation.
Work with steel material specifications and apply basic fabrication concepts in daily tasks.
Enter, update, and retrieve data within the ERP system, with training provided as needed.
Perform general computer-based tasks to support both engineering and production activities.
Collaborate with team members in a shop-focused environment to ensure smooth coordination between engineering and manufacturing.
Provide general support to the engineering department as workload grows with new customers and projects.
Essential Skills
High school diploma or GED.
Basic CAD experience, including the ability to use CAD software to navigate and review drawings.
Ability to read, navigate, and dimension drawings, with a focus on interpretation rather than design creation.
Comfortable working on a computer daily and performing data entry and general computer-based tasks.
Interest in manufacturing, steel fabrication, and engineering support work.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, shop-focused environment.
Strong attention to detail when taking measurements, dimensions, and working with technical documentation.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Exposure to manufacturing processes and manufacturing environments.
Familiarity with steel material specifications and basic fabrication concepts.
Willingness to learn ERP systems and new software tools with provided training.
Motivation to grow into a Manufacturing Engineer role over time.
Strong organizational skills to help manage documentation and engineering workload.
Good communication skills to collaborate with engineers, production staff, and other team members.
Work Environment
The role is based in a very rural area within a clean and well-maintained facility. The position primarily operates in an office environment, with occasional time spent on the shop floor as needed, though not frequently. The company is a small, family-owned organization that offers a supportive, team-oriented, and shop-focused culture. Employees have access to multiple health insurance plan options for employees and families with a high portion of employee premiums covered, as well as dental, vision, supplemental insurance options, and an employer-provided life insurance policy. A Simple IRA is available with a 100% match up to 3%. The company supports professional growth through tuition reimbursement for qualified job-related classes and provides opportunities for overtime pay. Employees receive six paid holidays per year and accrue paid time off, starting at two weeks for 1-2 years of service, three weeks for 3-5 years, and four weeks for six or more years. The environment emphasizes cleanliness, safety, and a collaborative culture that supports long-term development in manufacturing and engineering.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kankakee, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00/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 Kankakee,IL.
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.
