Equipment Engineer

Actalent is seeking an Equipment Engineer II to evaluate, select, and support manufacturing equipment, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective production of company products. This role oversees the full lifecycle of manufacturing equipment, from selection and installation through validation, maintenance, and continuous improvement.

About the role

The Equipment Engineer II operates in a manufacturing and research environment focused on developing and producing complex products, including medical devices. The role involves frequent on-site interaction with manufacturing equipment, process engineering teams, equipment repair teams, and other internal stakeholders. Work is conducted during standard business hours with some flexibility required for equipment-related activities, validations, or project milestones. Adherence to established procedures, quality systems, and change control processes—particularly for validated equipment and medical device manufacturing—is essential. Appropriate professional attire and required safety or protective equipment are expected in production or laboratory areas.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, select, and order manufacturing equipment that is appropriate and cost-effective for producing company products.
• Oversee the installation, modification, upgrade, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and regulatory expectations.
• Maintain current and accurate records of equipment manufacturers’ technical notices, upgrades, and safety issues, and ensure relevant updates are implemented.
• Study equipment performance to identify opportunities to increase uptime and resolve equipment-related problems affecting the manufacturing process.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing equipment repair teams and process engineering organizations to troubleshoot issues and improve equipment performance.
• Define, write, and maintain preventative maintenance schedules to maximize equipment reliability and minimize unplanned downtime.
• Contribute as an individual technical specialist to projects advancing existing technology or introducing new technology and therapies, from design through implementation.
• Formulate, deliver, and manage assigned projects, coordinating with stakeholders to achieve defined objectives and project milestones.
• Recommend enhancements to systems, processes, or equipment to solve problems and improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Communicate regularly with internal contacts to share information, report status, and discuss needs and issues supporting informed decision-making.
• Participate in cross-functional assignments as needed, collaborating with other functions to support broader organizational goals.
• Provide guidance and assistance to entry-level professionals or support staff in related technical areas, acting as a mentor when appropriate.
• Apply equipment IQ (Installation Qualification) practices and support the full process validation lifecycle, including process characterization, Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ).
• Support computer and software validation activities associated with manufacturing equipment and related systems.
• Participate in change control processes for medical devices, ensuring equipment and process changes are properly assessed, documented, and implemented.

Requirements

• Practical knowledge and demonstrated competence in equipment engineering and maintenance within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in equipment maintenance, including troubleshooting, repair support, and preventive maintenance planning.
• Experience with equipment Installation Qualification (IQ) for manufacturing systems.
• Experience with the process validation lifecycle, including process characterization, Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ).
• Experience with computer and software validation related to manufacturing equipment and associated systems.
• Experience with change control processes in a medical device environment.
• Ability to work independently with general supervision on moderately complex projects and assignments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess equipment performance and recommend improvements.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with internal stakeholders and sharing technical information.
• Bachelor’s degree (Baccalaureate) or, for degrees earned outside the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R.214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A).
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or an advanced degree with 0 years of experience.

Qualifications

• Experience working as an equipment engineer in a regulated manufacturing environment, preferably involving medical devices or similar products.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance program development and documentation.
• Ability to contribute to research and development initiatives related to new technologies or therapies.
• Experience mentoring or providing guidance to entry-level professionals or technical support staff.
• Capability to adjust or recommend enhancements to systems and processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Comfort working on cross-functional assignments and collaborating with diverse technical and operational teams.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $60.00 per hour.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage
• 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)

Schedule

This is a contract position based in Fridley, MN, operating primarily on-site during standard business hours with some flexibility required for equipment-related activities, validations, or project milestones.