Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer develops and optimizes manufacturing methods to ensure parts consistently meet or exceed customer requirements. This role drives continuous improvement by enhancing existing processes and creating new methods of manufacturing that increase yields, reduce labor content, and support scalable, safe, and ergonomic solutions across the operation.
Responsibilities
- Develop manufacturing methods and processes that consistently produce high-quality parts aligned with customer specifications and requirements.
- Lead and participate in formal problem-solving activities, cost reduction initiatives, and part and process improvement projects.
- Provide general technical support by collecting and analyzing manufacturing data to address production issues and support operational needs.
- Prepare quotations by developing material, scrap, and labor cost estimates for cost modeling and business decisions.
- Support tooling development and build by providing input for bills of materials, routings, and milestone plans, and by delivering manufacturing support fixtures and dies.
- Lead process development efforts, including support for prototypes, creation of work instructions, and analysis of process data.
- Design, build, procure, troubleshoot, validate, and qualify manufacturing equipment to ensure reliable and efficient operation.
- Develop and refine cell layouts and standard work, including conducting time studies to improve flow, productivity, and ergonomics.
- Collect and analyze data to reduce part number scrap and improve yields, including daily process walk-throughs and ongoing monitoring of performance.
- Analyze shift labor efficiencies and effectiveness, conduct cost modeling, and implement tooling changes to reduce standard labor and process times.
- Act as an operational accelerator by driving continuous improvement, understanding the impact of automation and new technologies, and advocating for safety and scalable solutions.
- Think holistically about systems and business operations, considering multiple pathways and potential impacts before implementing interventions.
- Continuously challenge the organization to work smarter, supporting colleagues to ensure they have the tools, information, and processes needed for success.
- Anticipate potential issues and opportunities, preparing teams for upcoming changes and maximizing operational advantages.
- Work within existing organizational structures while striving to improve and standardize them, providing accurate information and aligning teams around common goals.
- Influence and educate stakeholders using data, relationships, and technical knowledge to gain buy-in and drive adoption of ideas and practices at scale.
- Use data-driven insights to focus on actions that drive quantifiable business outcomes and clearly explain the rationale behind decisions.
- Manage unexpected issues with a prioritized approach, responding where the greatest leverage exists while maintaining focus on key objectives.
- Build strong relationships with individuals and teams across shifts and functions, fostering a "win together" culture and serving as a liaison between the shop floor and engineering.
- Maintain a close understanding of shop floor dynamics, ensuring team members feel heard and that their feedback informs continuous improvement efforts.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong background in manufacturing engineering and industrial manufacturing processes.
- Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset and experience in process improvement within manufacturing operations.
- Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing principles and practices.
- Experience applying Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma methodologies; Lean Six Sigma experience required.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret manufacturing data to support decisions and improvements.
- Experience working and communicating effectively with diverse groups and cross-functional teams.
- Leadership experience, preferably in a formal role with a defined title, including the ability to influence and support others.
- Proficiency in project management, including planning, coordinating, and executing improvement initiatives.
- Ability to conduct time studies, develop standard work, and optimize cell layouts.
- Capability to support tooling development, including fixtures and dies, and to provide input on BOMs and routings.
- Skills in equipment troubleshooting, validation, and qualification in a manufacturing setting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- 5+ years of manufacturing experience preferred.
- Continuous Improvement-specific experience is ideal, but not strictly required.
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification is highly preferred.
- Some familiarity with CAD software for equipment, tooling, or process design.
- Experience with cost modeling, including material, scrap, and labor cost estimation.
- Ability to think strategically and holistically about systems, operations, and long-term scalability.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to serve as a liaison between engineering and the shop floor.
- Comfort with influencing stakeholders using data, relationships, and business perspectives.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and react effectively to unexpected issues while maintaining focus on key objectives.
Work Environment
This is an on-site role, Monday through Friday, with flexible hours between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Time is split between the manufacturing floor and an office environment, providing both hands-on engagement with production and focused analytical work. The culture emphasizes continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and a strong team ethos, with this Continuous Improvement team serving as a driving force for change and operational excellence. The environment supports data-driven decision-making, cross-functional interaction, and ongoing development of processes, equipment, and tooling to enhance safety, ergonomics, and scalability.
Interested? Questions? Book time to speak with Recruiter Sophia Fontana using this link: https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/OhUyEyl5
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Hampton, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $100000.00/yr.
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.
2 weeks PTO, health, dental, vision retirement
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Hampton,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 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.