Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer (Mechanical)
Job Description
This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on designing, optimizing, and overseeing manufacturing processes for electrical and electronic components, wiring harnesses, and integrated systems used in advanced aerospace applications. You will develop and refine manufacturing and assembly procedures, inspect hardware and test equipment, and drive continuous improvement across production processes. The position offers hands-on involvement in the design and manufacture of next-generation space station systems and the opportunity to transition to a direct employee role after a 12-month period.
Responsibilities
Design, optimize, and oversee manufacturing processes for electrical and electronic components, wiring harnesses, and integrated systems.
Develop, draft, review, and contribute to detailed manufacturing and assembly procedures that support production and integration activities.
Inspect hardware, test equipment, and related tooling to verify compliance with engineering requirements and quality standards.
Drive continuous improvement by developing and implementing optimized manufacturing processes and supporting Lean manufacturing initiatives.
Support the incorporation of Engineering Changes (ECs) into existing processes, ensuring smooth implementation and minimal disruption to production.
Execute performance and functional testing of components and systems, including work with pressurized gas systems and purified water systems.
Perform repair and maintenance activities that may involve the controlled use of hazardous materials such as adhesives, lubricants, and solvents.
Create and update work instructions that align with assembly drawings, process specifications, and required certifications.
Author clear and comprehensive work instructions for assembly and installation procedures, ensuring they are technically accurate and easy to follow.
Support the installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical and electronic systems to ensure they meet design specifications and safety standards.
Review plans, inspect fabrications, conduct investigations, and provide recommendations to assure compliance with aerospace requirements, regulations, guidelines, and procedures.
Generate manufacturing bills of materials upon release of engineering drawings and maintain configuration control.
Work closely with the Production Planning team to ensure production cycle milestones are met from product design through assembly and installation.
Act as the primary interface between Design Engineering and Production to ensure Design for Excellence (DfX) principles are integrated into designs, including manufacturing, integration, and assembly considerations.
Contribute to reducing Cost of Non-Conformance (CONC) by identifying producibility issues early and recommending design and process improvements.
Collaborate regularly with customers, technicians, engineers, logistics teams, and bond room personnel to support day-to-day operations and ensure successful execution of responsibilities.
Participate in and conduct design reviews focused on producibility and manufacturability, providing constructive feedback to engineering teams.
Support validation activities to confirm that manufacturing processes and work instructions produce consistent, compliant results.
Essential Skills
Approximately 9 or more years of experience as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer or in a closely related manufacturing engineering role.
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Engineering discipline.
Hands-on manufacturing engineering experience with electrical and electronic components, wiring harnesses, and integrated systems.
Proven experience in process engineering and manufacturing process optimization.
Demonstrated success in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives.
Strong technical writing skills, including experience authoring detailed work instructions for assembly and installation procedures.
Proficiency with SOLIDWORKS 3D/PDM modeling software or similar computer-aided design tools.
Experience driving producibility and Design for Excellence (DfX), including manufacturing, integration, and assembly considerations.
Experience conducting design reviews and managing configuration control processes.
Practical knowledge and application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
Ability to perform validation activities and ensure processes meet engineering and quality requirements.
Strong project management capabilities to support production milestones and engineering changes.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including engineering, production, logistics, and technical personnel.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working within aerospace or highly regulated industries with established requirements, regulations, guidelines, and procedures.
Experience in reviewing plans, inspecting fabrications, and conducting investigations to ensure compliance with technical standards.
Familiarity with generating and maintaining manufacturing bills of materials tied to engineering drawings.
Experience supporting installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical and electronic systems.
Knowledge of safety practices and procedures when working with hazardous materials such as adhesives, lubricants, and solvents.
Comfort working with pressurized gas systems and purified water systems during performance and functional testing.
Ability to act as a key liaison between Design Engineering and Production, balancing design intent with manufacturability and cost considerations.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with customers, technicians, engineers, logistics teams, and bond room personnel.
Motivation to contribute to cutting-edge space station design and manufacturing projects and to work in a hands-on engineering environment.
Work Environment
The role is primarily based in a lab environment that supports advanced manufacturing and testing activities for aerospace systems. Work may take place inside the facility or outdoors, depending on the task and testing requirements. You will work with modern engineering and manufacturing tools, including SOLIDWORKS 3D/PDM and other computer-aided design and configuration control systems, as well as equipment used for assembly, testing, and commissioning of electrical and electronic systems. The environment involves adherence to safety protocols when handling hazardous materials such as adhesives, lubricants, and solvents, and when working with pressurized gas and purified water systems. The position is hands-on, with close collaboration across engineering, production planning, logistics, and technical teams, offering direct involvement in the design and manufacture of next-generation space station hardware and a pathway to transition to a direct employee role after approximately 12 months.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Webster, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $60.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
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 Webster,TX.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.
