Manufacturing Engineer - NPD & Sustainment
2nd Shift
3 PM - 11 PM
Job Description
This 2nd Shift Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on both new product development and sustainment of existing production lines for advanced hardware systems. You will bridge the gap between design and manufacturing by owning the transition of new products from concept to the factory floor, while continuously improving and scaling mature lines. The position is highly hands-on and fast paced, requiring strong technical expertise, ownership of projects, and close collaboration with design, quality, supply chain, and suppliers.
Responsibilities
Own new product development and launch activities by partnering with design engineering during early-stage R&D to drive Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, and Test (DFM/DFA/DFT).
Translate Engineering Bills of Materials (eBOMs) into structured, production-ready Manufacturing Bills of Materials (mBOMs) and maintain configuration management for assigned product lines.
Develop and execute comprehensive Manufacturing Build Plans, defining process flows and breaking down complex assemblies into logical sub-assemblies for efficient production.
Design, procure, and qualify proto@type and production tooling, fixtures, and test equipment to support new product introduction and ramp to full-rate production.
Use Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools such as Teamcenter to manage product lifecycles, author and implement Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and ensure digital product data accurately reflects physical configurations.
Configure and maintain manufacturing routings, operations, and item attributes within ERP systems (Oracle preferred) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to ensure smooth material flow and accurate shop-floor tracking.
Build, track, and optimize shop-floor routing and work instructions within MES, ensuring clear, accurate, and effective documentation for production teams.
Manage and track engineering tasks and projects using tools such as Jira or similar project and issue tracking software, coordinating cross-functional work across design, quality, and supply chain.
Own the manufacturing line for mature products with a focus on cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and capacity scaling to meet production goals.
Perform rigorous root-cause analysis on production failures using methodologies such as 8D and 5-Whys, and implement robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Collaborate closely with external suppliers and contract manufacturers, including PCBAs, sheet metal, machining, and integration partners, to resolve supplier quality issues and optimize their manufacturing performance.
Work directly with other 2nd Shift Manufacturing Engineers to align on daily production goals, open technical issues, and NPI build instructions, and provide clear, organized handoffs to 1st Shift teams.
Read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and mechanical design documentation to ensure correct assembly, testing, and validation of structural and electrical systems.
Develop, refine, and communicate detailed work instructions and technical documentation that define manufacturing processes and standards.
Support systems-level integration and validation activities, ensuring complex systems function correctly and interfaces operate as intended, especially at end-of-line manufacturing.
Independently manage projects and tasks, taking ownership of deliverables and driving continuous improvement initiatives on the production floor.
Maintain calm, organized documentation and communication in a dynamic 2nd shift environment, ensuring accurate notes and effective information transfer between shifts.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline such as Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Manufacturing, or equivalent is preferred; strong relevant experience may substitute for formal education.
2+ years of experience in a manufacturing, test, or design environment, ideally within aerospace, defense, automotive, or consumer electronics.
Solid understanding of configuration management, including the relationship and transition between Engineering Bills of Materials (eBOMs) and Manufacturing Bills of Materials (mBOMs).
Hands-on experience navigating and managing data within PLM systems, with Teamcenter strongly preferred.
Experience working with ERP systems, with Oracle preferred, to manage routings, operations, and item attributes.
Experience using Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to build, track, and optimize shop-floor routing and work instructions.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and apply GD&T principles, mechanical design concepts, and tolerance stack-up analysis.
Knowledge of structural and electrical assembly processes and how they impact manufacturability and quality.
Experience with CAD software such as Siemens NX and SolidWorks for interpreting designs; ability to use CAD to support tooling and fixture design is highly beneficial.
Demonstrated ability to create, describe, and improve manufacturing work instructions and process documentation.
Proven capability to manage own projects and responsibilities with minimal supervision, including planning, execution, and reporting.
Familiarity with Jira or similar project and issue tracking software to manage engineering workflows and tasks.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly in documentation and handoffs between shifts.
Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, to collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers.
Self-starter mindset with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and drive results.
Eligibility as a U.S. Person to access export-controlled data.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
5+ years of manufacturing engineering or related experience is highly valued, especially in fast-paced, high-complexity environments.
Experience designing fixtures and tooling using CAD platforms such as SolidWorks, NX, or similar tools.
Strong experience in developing and integrating new products into full-rate production, including ramp-up and scaling activities.
Technical writing experience focused on engineering documentation and detailed work definitions for manufacturing processes.
Experience dealing with system-level requirements, integration, and validating that complex systems are functioning correctly and communicating as intended, particularly in end-of-line manufacturing.
Exposure to systems engineering principles and practices is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a high-ownership environment, taking initiative and driving continuous improvement.
Calm demeanor and the ability to remain organized and focused in a dynamic, sometimes chaotic, production setting.
Go-getter attitude with a strong work ethic, willingness to "grind" and put in effort, including overtime when needed.
Openness to feedback and new ideas, with a collaborative approach and willingness to learn.
Strong project management capabilities, including task prioritization, timeline management, and cross-functional coordination.
Work Environment
This role is based onsite in a fast-paced manufacturing environment on 2nd shift. Typical hours are approximately 2:00-3:00 PM to 11:00 PM-12:00 AM, Monday through Friday, with overtime opportunities and an expectation to work every other Saturday as needed. The 2nd shift environment can be dynamic and sometimes chaotic, requiring a calm, organized approach and meticulous note-taking to ensure clear communication and handoffs between 2nd and 1st shift teams. You will work directly on the factory floor with advanced hardware, using tools and systems such as Teamcenter (PLM), Oracle (ERP), MES platforms, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, and Jira. The culture emphasizes rapid iteration, scaling, and sustainment of cutting-edge defense-related hardware, with a strong focus on bridging design and physical reality, high ownership, and continuous improvement. Attire is typical for an onsite manufacturing setting, suitable for hands-on engineering work around production equipment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Atlanta, GA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $62.50/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 Atlanta,GA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 12, 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.