Manufacturing Engineer

at Actalent in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Job Title: Product Manufacturing EngineerJob Description

The Product Manufacturing Engineer supports new product launches, drives manufacturing process improvements, resolves product and process quality issues, and ensures efficient, reliable production operations. This role collaborates closely with engineering, production, suppliers, and customers to enhance product quality, improve manufacturability, and optimize operational performance across the full product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

+ Support new product introductions from initial design through ramp-up to volume production, ensuring a smooth transition into manufacturing.

+ Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, including creating detailed work instructions, performing line balancing, and designing factory layouts to improve efficiency and throughput.

+ Analyze quality metrics and production data, monitor trends, and lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and process performance.

+ Lead root cause investigations for product and manufacturing issues, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.

+ Interface directly with customers to resolve product quality concerns and clearly communicate corrective actions and long-term solutions.

+ Manage engineering change orders (ECOs) and coordinate implementation across production, supply chain, and other cross-functional teams.

+ Design and implement manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and packaging solutions that support safe, efficient, and repeatable production.

+ Support supplier quality activities, including participating in supplier audits, evaluations, and ongoing performance reviews.

+ Participate in ISO, customer, UL, CE, and other certification audits by providing process documentation, evidence of compliance, and support during audit activities.

+ Manage capital projects and budgets, including planning, justification, and execution of cost-reduction and capacity-improvement initiatives.

+ Evaluate product designs for manufacturability and production readiness, and provide feedback to design engineering to improve ease of assembly and robustness.

+ Train production personnel on new or updated work instructions, processes, and tooling, ensuring consistent understanding and adherence on the shop floor.

+ Support engineering prototype builds by coordinating materials, documentation, and process steps required for early-stage production.

+ Provide day-to-day production support by fixing and updating work instructions to reflect current best practices and design changes.

+ Update and maintain engineering change orders (ECOs) to ensure accurate documentation and traceability of product and process changes.

+ Troubleshoot issues on the production floor related to product quality, assembly problems, or documentation errors, and drive timely resolution.

+ Create Bills of Materials (BOMs) for new products, ensuring accuracy and completeness for planning and production.

+ Draft detailed work instructions and assembly build instructions, including tools and equipment required to build products consistently.

+ Perform CAD drawing conversions using Creo to support manufacturing documentation and product data management.

+ Address and troubleshoot assembly errors such as misfitting parts, incorrect work instructions, or incorrect part usage, and implement corrective documentation and process changes.

+ Lead and coordinate projects related to process improvement, capacity enhancement, and quality improvement using sound project management practices.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

+ At least 3 years of experience in manufacturing, quality, or product engineering roles.

+ Proven experience with root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions for product and process issues.

+ Hands-on experience with continuous improvement methodologies and process improvement initiatives.

+ Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, with the capability to understand electrical schematics considered a plus.

+ Experience with production planning, product data management, and creation and maintenance of manufacturing documentation.

+ Knowledge of supplier quality processes, including participation in supplier audits and performance reviews.

+ Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple initiatives.

+ Demonstrated problem-solving skills with a structured, data-driven approach.

+ Effective cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with engineering, production, supply chain, suppliers, and customers.

+ Experience developing work instructions, performing line balancing, and defining manufacturing processes.

+ Ability to troubleshoot issues on the production floor related to product quality or assembly problems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

+ Familiarity with ISTA packaging standards is a plus.

+ Experience participating in ISO, customer, UL, CE, or similar certification audits.

+ Experience designing or specifying manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures, and packaging solutions.

+ Experience managing capital projects and cost-reduction initiatives.

+ Experience evaluating product designs for manufacturability and providing feedback to design engineering.

+ Experience creating Bills of Materials (BOMs) and managing engineering change orders (ECOs).

+ Familiarity with CAD tools, particularly Creo, for drawing conversions and supporting manufacturing documentation.

+ Experience training production personnel and supporting engineering prototype builds.

+ Background in lean manufacturing or related process improvement methodologies.

+ Comfort working with quality metrics, trend analysis, and continuous improvement frameworks.

Work Environment

The Product Manufacturing Engineer works in a dynamic manufacturing environment that requires regular interaction with production lines, engineering teams, and suppliers. The role involves frequent presence on the shop floor to troubleshoot assembly and quality issues, observe processes, and validate improvements. The position relies on manufacturing technologies such as CAD tools (including Creo), product data management systems, and standard office productivity software for documentation, analysis, and project management. Work typically follows standard business hours, with flexibility to support production needs and critical issues as they arise. The environment emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and adherence to quality and certification standards such as ISO, UL, and CE. Safety, accuracy in documentation, and clear communication are central to daily operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Buffalo Grove, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $41.00 – $47.00/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 Buffalo Grove,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sci