Job Title: Manufacturing EngineerJob DescriptionThis Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on driving lean manufacturing principles, optimizing plant layouts and material flow, and supporting launch and ongoing production for automotive components and systems. The position combines hands-on involvement with assembly equipment and processes, data-driven problem solving, and cross-functional collaboration to improve safety, quality, cost, and delivery performance. The engineer will lead mid-sized projects, support new business pursuits and launches, and continuously enhance manufacturing efficiency in a high-volume automotive environment.
Responsibilities
- Champion and lead the implementation of lean manufacturing principles across assigned value streams.
- Utilize Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Material Information Flow Charts (MIFC) to identify waste, drive process improvements, and enhance material and information flow.
- Create, maintain, and apply standards to evaluate and validate improvement activities and process changes.
- Improve manufacturing efficiency by analyzing and planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout.
- Own plant layout and material flow, including the design, build, sign-off, and ongoing optimization of assembly lines and related equipment.
- Understand assembly equipment and assembly processes, including operator interaction, and incorporate operator feedback into process and equipment improvements.
- Identify, communicate, and resolve mechanical failures associated with tools and equipment to minimize downtime and scrap.
- Ensure safety is embedded in process design and daily execution, including ergonomic considerations for operators and line layout.
- Ensure compliance with applicable corporate standards and certifications (such as ISO and TS) in all practices, procedures, and work instructions.
- Use proper data collection and statistical analysis to support conclusions, justify changes, and reinforce improvement outcomes.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and analyze process Design of Experiments (DOEs) to optimize processes and validate improvements.
- Deliver process design and improvement initiatives in a cost-efficient manner, including preparing and completing cost justifications.
- Lead mid-sized projects while independently developing project approaches, managing timelines, and ensuring timely execution of planned activities.
- Maintain strong working relationships and demonstrate effective communication with vendors, suppliers, team members, and project teams.
- Understand the impact of engineering decisions on other areas of the business, including quality, cost, delivery, and customer satisfaction.
- Apply scientific methods to solve complex problems, clearly define issues, quantify the impact of corrective actions, and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.
- Observe and evaluate outcomes of implemented solutions, assess the need for alternative approaches, and document lessons learned.
- Support manufacturing production by leading troubleshooting and continuous improvement activities on the shop floor.
- Support plant problem-solving teams to ensure the production of quality parts and the maintenance of a safe working environment.
- Provide on-call support for manufacturing processes, as needed, to meet customer demand and production schedules.
- Develop maturation plans and timelines in alignment with risk mitigation strategies for new and existing processes.
- Lead activities to launch new business and execute the maturation process from prototype through stable production.
- Participate in regular launch team meetings to align engineering, production, quality, and other functions on launch readiness.
- Lead technical solutions and provide input and support for tool design and development with internal and external partners.
- Participate in Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA) development meetings to identify and mitigate potential process risks.
- Provide specifications for, and support procurement of, capital equipment required to support new business and process changes.
- Communicate and share information with peers to ensure launching practices and standards are consistent across programs and locations.
- Continuously challenge maturation activities and identify opportunities to reduce maturation time while maintaining quality and safety.
- Lead activities associated with winning new business, including technical input to quoting and feasibility assessments.
- Participate in Feasibility and Process Plan and Tolerance Reviews (PPTAR) to ensure robust and competitive manufacturing processes.
- Prepare and provide quotes within agreed timelines, working closely with cross-functional and global teams.
- Identify opportunities to reduce quoting, feasibility, and PPTAR cycle times while maintaining thoroughness and accuracy.
- Investigate and propose methods to achieve competitive processes that support winning new business.
- Ensure successful transition of value streams to launch engineering by sharing all pertinent information developed during quoting and feasibility phases.
- Ensure Minimum Process Requirements (MPR) are accurate, relevant, and aligned with customer and internal expectations.
- Drive scrap reduction and improved material movement through process optimization, layout refinement, and equipment improvements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand upstream inputs and downstream deliverables, ensuring seamless value stream performance.
- Perform additional related functions as directed by leadership to support operational and business objectives.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, preferably 35 years, in a high-volume production environment.
- Strong background in plant layout and material flow design, including ownership of line layout and optimization.
- Demonstrated ability to apply lean manufacturing principles and tools to drive continuous improvement.
- Hands-on understanding of assembly equipment and assembly processes, including operator interaction and ergonomics.
- Experience using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Material Information Flow Charts (MIFC) to analyze and improve processes.
- Proficiency in 2D plant layout tools such as AutoCAD for designing and updating layouts.
- Familiarity with VISIO or similar tools for creating process maps, standards, and visual documentation.
- Working knowledge of PLC-based systems, including specifying and integrating PLCs (such as Allen-Bradley) into manufacturing equipment.
- Experience with Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) and tolerancing for metal and plastic components.
- Exposure to vision systems such as Keyence for inspection, error-proofing, or process control.
- Ability to lead mid-sized projects with minimal supervision, including planning, execution, and reporting.
- Strong analytical skills, including data collection, interpretation, and the use of scientific methods for problem solving.
- Experience coordinating and analyzing process Design of Experiments (DOEs).
- Demonstrated capability in cost justification and economic evaluation of process improvements and capital investments.
- Experience supporting launch and manufacturing activities, including troubleshooting and continuous improvement in production.
- Participation in PFMEA development and use of structured problem-solving tools in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to develop maturation plans and timelines aligned with risk mitigation strategies.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with vendors, suppliers, cross-functional teams, and leadership.
- Automotive manufacturing background, including familiarity with automotive quality and regulatory expectations.
- Commitment to safety and ergonomic considerations in process and equipment design.
- Ability to understand and comply with corporate standards and certifications such as ISO and TS.
- Willingness to provide on-call support for manufacturing processes when required to meet customer demand.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Fanuc robots or similar industrial robotics, including basic understanding of robot integration in automated systems.
- Exposure to AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) or automation material handling solutions that enhance material flow and logistics.
- Experience in automotive tier-one or tier-two environments, working with metal and plastic components and systems.
- background in launch engineering, including leading activities to launch new business and execute maturation processes.
- Experience participating in Feasibility and Process Plan and Tolerance Reviews (PPTAR).
- Experience preparing quotes for new business and collaborating with global peers to standardize quoting practices.
- Familiarity with Minimum Process Requirements (MPR) and their role in ensuring consistent process performance.
- Demonstrated interest in personal and professional lifelong learning and development.
- Ability to observe, document, and communicate lessons learned from implemented solutions for future improvements.
- Comfort working in cross-functional teams and collaborating across upstream and downstream processes in the value stream.
Work EnvironmentThis role operates in a full-service, tier-one style automotive manufacturing environment focused on the design, engineering, testing, and production of metal and plastic automotive components and systems. The facility supports high-volume production of lightweight impact energy management and body structure components that meet demanding customer requirements and global regulations. The work environment includes frequent interaction with assembly lines, automation, and material handling systems, as well as office-based engineering tasks such as layout design, data analysis, and documentation. Technologies commonly used include AutoCAD for 2D plant layouts, VISIO for process documentation, PLCs (such as Allen-Bradley), HMIs, vision systems (such as Keyence), and robotics (such as Fanuc), along with potential AMR-based material handling solutions. The engineer regularly collaborates with cross-functional teams, including production, quality, maintenance, tooling, and launch teams, and participates in weekly communications and meetings to align on project and production status. Safety and ergonomics are central to the work environment, with a strong emphasis on safe processes, compliant practices, and a culture of continuous improvement. Dress and personal protective equipment are typically consistent with a modern automotive manufacturing setting, balancing time on the shop floor with time in an engineering office environment. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Athens, AL. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $105000.00/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.Medical dental vision upon offer Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Athens, AL. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 24, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Athens,AL.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.
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