Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer - Planning Senior Engineer, Paint Production

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer position serves as a Planning Senior Engineer within a Production Engineering Paint Department, focusing on the evaluation, planning, and deployment of automation robots and expansion projects for North American plants. The role centers on process and layout design, equipment specification, standardization across facilities, and lead time reduction, supporting new vehicle projects, refurbishment initiatives, and equipment life cycle management. You will develop and implement strategies for equipment deployment, become an expert in paint shop technologies and systems, and provide clear communication of project status and key performance indicators to cross-functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate equipment project proposals, including detailed process and equipment capability assessments for paint shop operations.
• Plan and lead automation robot projects and expansion initiatives, ensuring alignment with manufacturing requirements and production targets.
• Develop strategies and lead implementation for North American equipment deployment and standardization projects across multiple plants.
• Design and optimize paint shop process layouts, focusing on efficient materials handling, throughput, and safety.
• Create and maintain equipment specifications that ensure CoHE compliance and cross-NAM standardization.
• Develop and refine standards, RJs, and technical guidelines for new technologies and equipment specifications.
• Lead equipment specification and development processes from concept through implementation and validation.
• Prepare clear presentations and reports to communicate project status, risks, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to stakeholders.
• Support conveyor and paint-line projects, including planning, technical review, and coordination with internal and external partners.
• Create, review, and update technical documentation and inspection reports related to equipment and systems.
• Participate in on-site inspections and perform quality checks on equipment installations and modifications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, maintenance, and controls engineering, to achieve project goals and resolve issues.
• Identify project constraints and develop effective countermeasures to maintain schedules, budgets, and performance targets.
• Apply manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and process improvement methodologies to enhance equipment performance and reliability.
• Utilize CAD and modeling tools (including AutoCAD) to support layout design, equipment modeling, and documentation.
• Support equipment life cycle management, including refurbishment planning and long-term capacity and capability considerations.
• Contribute to capital expenditure (capex) projects by defining technical scope, specifications, and justification documents.
• Engage in troubleshooting of equipment, controls, and robotics systems to support stable operations and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent experience in an engineering or technical role.
• Experience with CAD or similar modeling software, including familiarity with AutoCAD for layout design and equipment modeling.
• Experience with specification development for manufacturing equipment and systems.
• Experience creating A3 or similar documentation for equipment procurement and project justification.
• Ability to identify project constraints and develop effective countermeasures to maintain project performance.
• Minimum of 2 years of project management experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Foundational knowledge of PLCs and controls, with PLC experience considered a strong asset.
• Practical experience in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or process engineering.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing processes and equipment in an industrial environment.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for documentation and presentations.
• Strong skills in troubleshooting and problem-solving related to equipment and processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information clearly.
• Capability to work both in an office setting and on the shop floor, including on-site equipment inspections and quality checks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in robotics and automation, including robot programming and integration.
• Experience with major industrial robot brands such as Kawasaki and FANUC.
• Mechanical design experience, including proficiency with SolidWorks or similar mechanical design tools.
• Experience in process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies within manufacturing environments.
• Background in capital expenditure (capex) projects, including planning, justification, and execution.
• Experience with conveyor systems and knowledge of conveyor design and operation.
• MSRC and/or machine risk analysis experience, with understanding of equipment safety and risk mitigation.
• Experience with new model introduction processes in automotive or similar high-volume manufacturing.
• Exposure to paint shop booths, ovens, abatement systems, air houses, and enclosures, including their operation and requirements.
• Experience in equipment maintenance, including inspection, reliability improvement, and maintenance planning.
• Experience with vision system evaluation, programming, and application in manufacturing use cases.
• SEIBI experience or familiarity with equipment and process optimization practices.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish or Japanese are considered a valuable asset.
• Background in controls engineering or manufacturing controls is beneficial.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to create and deliver clear presentations and reports tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.

Work Environment

This role operates within an Equipment Planning Group supporting paint department operations in a large-scale manufacturing setting. Approximately 80% of the work is office-based, focused on planning, design, documentation, and coordination, while about 20% is shop-floor activity involving hands-on inspections, equipment specification validation, and quality checks on installed systems. You will work closely with production, maintenance, and engineering teams, engaging with technologies such as robotics, conveyors, paint-line equipment, and industrial controls. Common tools include MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), CAD and AutoCAD for layouts and modeling, and various engineering software for process and mechanical design. The environment emphasizes long-term, stable project work with equipment planning horizons extending 5-10 years, offering continuous learning opportunities and exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies. Schedules are generally full-time, with flexibility to support work-life balance, and may include occasional travel for on-site inspections and project support. The culture values collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, and offers paid time off, paid holidays, and overtime compensation for hours worked over 40 per week, along with support for travel related to project work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Georgetown, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $65.00/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 Georgetown,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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.