Job Title: Product Manufacturing EngineerJob Description
The Product Manufacturing Engineer supports new product launches, drives manufacturing process improvements, resolves product and process quality issues, and ensures efficient, reliable production operations. This role collaborates closely with engineering, production, suppliers, and customers to enhance product quality, improve manufacturability, and optimize operational performance across the full product lifecycle.
Responsibilities
Support new product introductions from initial design through ramp-up to volume production, ensuring a smooth transition into manufacturing.
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, including creating detailed work instructions, performing line balancing, and designing factory layouts to improve efficiency and throughput.
Analyze quality metrics and production data, monitor trends, and lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and process performance.
Lead root cause investigations for product and manufacturing issues, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
Interface directly with customers to resolve product quality concerns and clearly communicate corrective actions and long-term solutions.
Manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and coordinate implementation across production, supply chain, and other cross-functional teams.
Design and implement manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and packaging solutions that support safe, efficient, and repeatable production.
Support supplier quality activities, including participating in supplier audits, evaluations, and ongoing performance reviews.
Participate in ISO, customer, UL, CE, and other certification audits by providing process documentation, evidence of compliance, and support during audit activities.
Manage capital projects and budgets, including planning, justification, and execution of cost-reduction and capacity-improvement initiatives.
Evaluate product designs for manufacturability and production readiness, and provide feedback to design engineering to improve ease of assembly and robustness.
Train production personnel on new or updated work instructions, processes, and tooling, ensuring consistent understanding and adherence on the shop floor.
Support engineering proto@type builds by coordinating materials, documentation, and process steps required for early-stage production.
Provide day-to-day production support by fixing and updating work instructions to reflect current best practices and design changes.
Update and maintain engineering change orders (ECOs) to ensure accurate documentation and traceability of product and process changes.
Troubleshoot issues on the production floor related to product quality, assembly problems, or documentation errors, and drive timely resolution.
Create Bills of Materials (BOMs) for new products, ensuring accuracy and completeness for planning and production.
Draft detailed work instructions and assembly build instructions, including tools and equipment required to build products consistently.
Perform CAD drawing conversions using Creo to support manufacturing documentation and product data management.
Address and troubleshoot assembly errors such as misfitting parts, incorrect work instructions, or incorrect part usage, and implement corrective documentation and process changes.
Lead and coordinate projects related to process improvement, capacity enhancement, and quality improvement using sound project management practices.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
At least 3 years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or product engineering roles.
Proven experience with root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions for product and process issues.
Hands-on experience with continuous improvement methodologies and process improvement initiatives.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, with the capability to understand electrical schematics considered a plus.
Experience with production planning, product data management, and creation and maintenance of manufacturing documentation.
Knowledge of supplier quality processes, including participation in supplier audits and performance reviews.
Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple initiatives.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills with a structured, data-driven approach.
Effective cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with engineering, production, supply chain, suppliers, and customers.
Experience developing work instructions, performing line balancing, and defining manufacturing processes.
Ability to troubleshoot issues on the production floor related to product quality or assembly problems.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Familiarity with ISTA packaging standards is a plus.
Experience participating in ISO, customer, UL, CE, or similar certification audits.
Experience designing or specifying manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and packaging solutions.
Experience managing capital projects and cost-reduction initiatives.
Experience evaluating product designs for manufacturability and providing feedback to design engineering.
Experience creating Bills of Materials (BOMs) and managing engineering change orders (ECOs).
Familiarity with CAD tools, particularly Creo, for drawing conversions and supporting manufacturing documentation.
Experience training production personnel and supporting engineering proto@type builds.
Background in lean manufacturing or related process improvement methodologies.
Comfort working with quality metrics, trend analysis, and continuous improvement frameworks.
Work Environment
The Product Manufacturing Engineer works in a dynamic manufacturing environment that requires regular interaction with production lines, engineering teams, and suppliers. The role involves frequent presence on the shop floor to troubleshoot assembly and quality issues, observe processes, and validate improvements. The position relies on manufacturing technologies such as CAD tools (including Creo), product data management systems, and standard office productivity software for documentation, analysis, and project management. Work typically follows standard business hours, with flexibility to support production needs and critical issues as they arise. The environment emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and adherence to quality and certification standards such as ISO, UL, and CE. Safety, accuracy in documentation, and clear communication are central to daily operations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Buffalo Grove, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $41.00 - $47.00/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 Buffalo Grove,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 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.
