Engineering Manager

Job Title: Engineering Manager / Engineering Team LeaderJob DescriptionA growing engineering organization is seeking a hands-on Engineering Manager / Engineering Team Leader to lead a multidisciplinary team supporting manufacturing operations, automation projects, facility expansion initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts. This role provides both technical and people leadership while driving the design, implementation, and optimization of automated manufacturing equipment, material handling systems, and production processes. The successful candidate combines strong mechanical and automation engineering experience with the ability to mentor engineers, manage complex projects, and establish best practices across engineering operations. Depending on experience, the position may be structured as either an Engineering Team Leader or Engineering Manager.Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of automated manufacturing equipment and systems, ensuring robust, reliable, and efficient solutions.
• Provide technical oversight for mechanical engineering, automation, controls, manufacturing engineering, and technician activities.
• Review engineering designs to ensure technical quality, compliance with standards, and alignment with project requirements.
• Support machine design, automation equipment development, material handling systems, and manufacturing improvements from concept through deployment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement engineering solutions that support production, operations, and business objectives.
• Manage and mentor engineers, technicians, and engineering support staff, providing guidance, coaching, and technical direction.
• Support employee development and technical growth through training, feedback, and performance development activities.
• Assist with project prioritization, resource allocation, and workload balancing to ensure effective use of engineering resources.
• Build and maintain a collaborative, accountability-driven team culture focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Lead engineering projects from concept through implementation, including design, prototyping, testing, and commissioning.
• Coordinate project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and stakeholder communication to keep initiatives on track.
• Support new facility, distribution center, and manufacturing expansion initiatives, including capital equipment selection and integration.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget while meeting performance and quality targets.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and manufacturing efficiency across operations.
• Support the implementation of automation and process improvement projects that enhance throughput and reduce costs.
• Drive engineering standards, documentation, and best practices, including design standards, risk analysis, and compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
• Manage project budgets and schedules, monitoring progress and adjusting plans as needed to achieve project objectives.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams that may include mechanical, industrial, controls engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Support facility expansions and capital equipment projects, including specification, procurement support, and installation oversight.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies to optimize manufacturing processes and equipment performance.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, automation, machinery, industrial equipment, or related industries.
• Previous technical leadership, team leadership, or management experience, including 13 years in a technical leadership role leading a team of engineers.
• Experience leading engineering projects from concept through implementation, including design, testing, and commissioning.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems and machine design, including mechanical and electrical design principles.
• Experience working in manufacturing environments with exposure to production operations and industrial equipment.
• Proficiency with engineering tools such as SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM for 3D design and data management.
• Experience with industrial machinery, automated equipment, and manufacturing equipment.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with new product development, proposals, cost reduction, process improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with industry standards and codes such as NFPA, UL, UL508A, UL2011, ANSI, and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Knowledge of safety and regulatory requirements, including OSHA-related considerations for equipment and manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including risk analysis and structured decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Excel, including pivot tables, for data analysis and reporting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering is strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical or electrical design is highly desirable.
• Experience designing or supporting automated assembly equipment, packaging machinery, robotics, material handling systems, conveyor systems, and related automation solutions.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, including mechanical, industrial, controls engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Experience managing project budgets and schedules for capital and operational projects.
• Exposure to controls engineering, including PLCs, sensors, drives, and automation systems.
• Experience supporting facility expansions or capital equipment projects from planning through installation and startup.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies and manufacturing optimization practices.
• Experience in product development and product lifecycle support in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with cost reduction and process improvement initiatives in industrial settings.
• Comfort working with engineering documentation, standards, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality.

Work EnvironmentThe role operates within a manufacturing and engineering environment that combines office-based design work with frequent interaction on the production floor. You will lead and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that may include mechanical and manufacturing engineers, industrial engineers, controls engineers, engineering technicians, maintenance personnel, and engineering support staff. The work involves supporting automated assembly equipment, packaging machinery, robotics, material handling systems, conveyor systems, and other manufacturing equipment, as well as participating in facility and distribution center expansion projects. The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with regular use of engineering tools such as SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, and data analysis tools including Excel. Work typically involves managing multiple concurrent projects, coordinating schedules and budgets, and engaging with cross-functional stakeholders in a dynamic, fast-paced setting focused on automation, process optimization, and operational excellence. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Fontana, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $180000.00/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.Company benefits include but are not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision 401K Holiday, PTO, Sick Pay Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Fontana, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Fontana,CA.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.