Engineering Manager

Job Title: Engineering Manager

Job Description

The Engineering Manager plans and designs manufacturing processes within an industrial plant and leads the engineering department in driving operational excellence. This role focuses on developing efficient, scalable, and robust manufacturing processes for aluminum casting and machining, utilizing the latest industry tools and techniques. The Engineering Manager provides strategic leadership, oversees new product introduction from concept to launch, and instills a strong, can-do culture within the engineering team while continuously improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical direction for all engineering operations within the manufacturing plant.
• Lead new product introduction (NPI) from concept through launch, ensuring optimal process selection and on-time delivery that meets customer requirements.
• Plan and design manufacturing processes, including the layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and workforce utilization to maximize efficiency.
• Establish engineering standards for design, manufacturing methods, machine selection, gating systems, and cost-effective value-added decisions.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Production, and Quality to ensure efficient, manufacturable, and scalable tooling and processes.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity metrics.
• Oversee PFMEA development, implement risk mitigation strategies, and lead process validation to ensure robust and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Ensure full compliance and continuous improvement of the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, including oversight of non-conforming materials, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and verification of effectiveness.
• Oversee warranty claims, product returns, and rework activities to ensure timely resolution and prevent recurrence.
• Govern engineering documentation and controls, including CAD standards, tooling and fixturing prints, CNC program verification, and implementation of production documentation.
• Lead capital and manufacturing improvement initiatives, including research, justification, budgeting input, reporting, and coordination with leadership.
• Monitor and drive engineering key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure production efficiency, product quality, cosmetic standards, and on-time launch performance.
• Maintain regular and dependable on-site leadership presence to support plant operations and foster team development.
• Manage and develop the engineering department, providing clear direction, coaching, and accountability.
• Analyze existing processes and systems to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and implement best practices across the plant.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• 9+ years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with standard concepts, practices, and procedures in the aluminum casting and machining field.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven track record of driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications for analysis, reporting, and communication.
• Strong technical ability with a deep understanding of manufacturing methods and procedures.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze, research, and report findings clearly.
• Strategic leadership and interpersonal skills to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Effective communication and documentation skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Process management skills, including planning, organizing, and executing complex engineering projects.
• Strong decision-making skills with a high level of accountability.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• 10+ years of engineering experience in aluminum casting and machining.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives in a high-volume automotive or industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.
• PFMEA development, risk mitigation, and process validation.
• Experience with CAD standards, tooling and fixturing design, and CNC program verification.
• Demonstrated ability to lead capital projects and manufacturing improvement initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily in an office setting with regular walkabouts on the shop floor and within a foundry environment. The position involves routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. When working in the plant, the employee is exposed to foundry atmospheric conditions, including fumes or airborne particles, noise, extreme weather, vibration, and moving mechanical parts. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering the plant, including ear plugs, safety glasses, and steel toe boots, with disposable masks available as an option. The role is mostly sedentary but requires occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, or crouching, as well as the ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally. This is a full-time position with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday. Travel expectations are minimal to none. The work environment supports a collaborative, hands-on leadership style, with close interaction between office and production areas to ensure alignment between engineering and plant operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of San Jacinto, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $170000.00/yr.

Edelbrock strong automotive footprint and brand recognition

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in San Jacinto,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 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.