Manufacturing Engineer

Actalent · Athens, AL · 2 wk ago

On-siteEngineering$40–$45.67/hrContract

Actalent is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for a contract role based in Athens, AL.

About the role

The Manufacturing Engineer applies tactical quality engineering principles to production processes to ensure quality standards are implemented and maintained throughout the manufacturing cycle. This role supports the design and implementation of changes that improve productivity and profitability, serving as a technical resource for process technologies and the exploration of new methods. The Manufacturing Engineer provides routine support for quality acceptance standards, enhances process design robustness, and collaborates with operations leaders to execute production processes that meet quality standards while aligning with production working hours.

Responsibilities

Apply quality engineering principles, concepts, practices, standards, and procedures to production processes to ensure consistent adherence to quality requirements across the manufacturing lifecycle.
Support the design, installation, and evaluation of quality assurance systems, procedures, and statistical techniques to improve product reliability and process capability.
Take a support role in the design or specification of inspection and testing mechanisms and equipment to analyze production and service processes, providing tactical recommendations for revising specifications when necessary.
Evaluate manufacturing processes to optimize labor and material costs, increase productivity, and enhance profitability while supporting assessments and justifications for improvement areas.
Track project and process improvement expenditures to ensure spending aligns with budgeted amounts and supports overall business objectives.
Identify, reduce, and eliminate worker exposure to ergonomic stresses in the workplace using occupational biomechanics and human factors engineering principles.
Evaluate processes to identify potential product quality risks that could negatively impact customer experience or increase the cost of non-quality, and support tasks to eliminate or minimize these risks.
Provide timely product and process floor support to any manufacturing area, diagnosing issues and implementing solutions to minimize production interruptions.
Provide back-up and coverage for operations leaders to maintain consistent SQDC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) focused support during production working hours.
Engage as a team member on significant cross-functional projects aimed at improving products, processes, customer experience, supplier performance, and quality-related outcomes.
Collaborate with technical engineering leadership to identify root causes of customer service or supplier quality issues and develop corrective actions, including potential process or quality assurance changes.
Engage with senior technical engineers to research, introduce, and integrate new processes, equipment, and technologies into manufacturing operations.
Develop technical solutions to complex problems of strategic scope with minimal support, applying creative approaches to improve practices and procedures.
Inform decisions on matters significantly impacting customer experience using data-driven analysis and quality tools.
Support efforts to track and act upon SQDC-related metrics, driving actionable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
Participate in the design, specification, purchase, and installation of new equipment, including engagement in the execution of new equipment processes.
Provide technical support on projects within assigned areas or value streams, ensuring alignment with quality and productivity objectives.
Use work measurement and time studies to analyze processes and performance, and recommend improvements to efficiency and throughput.
Complete financial comparisons for proposed production process changes, including return-on-investment (ROI) analysis, with minimal support.
Interface and collaborate with multiple functions across the organization and with senior-level leaders to support improvement initiatives in manufacturing areas.

Skills

Ability to effectively apply quality engineering technical principles, concepts, practices, standards, and procedures, with familiarity with the ASQ Quality Engineer Body of Knowledge.
Strong analytical skills, including process analysis, capacity analysis, cost/benefit evaluation, waste stream analysis, and use of quality tools.
Basic knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques, including flow, product quantity (PQ), equipment reliability, and setup reduction.
Ability to develop technical solutions to complex, strategically significant problems with minimal support.
Ability to apply creative solutions to improve existing practices and procedures with minimal guidance.
Capability to inform decisions that significantly impact customer experience using data-driven insights.
Understanding and application of productivity improvement techniques, including Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI) initiatives.
Project management skills for leading and participating in cross-functional teams, including basic facilitation skills.
Ability to complete financial comparisons for production process changes, including ROI calculations, with minimal support.
Understanding of work measurement and time study methods for process and performance improvement.
Ability to provide technical support on projects within assigned manufacturing areas or value streams.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; programming skills are a plus.
Basic understanding of the design, specification, purchase, and installation of new equipment and the ability to engage in the execution of new equipment processes.
Awareness of material handling solutions that support efficient flow within production areas.
Understanding of simulation, process modeling, and value stream mapping.
Understanding of occupational biomechanics and human factors engineering principles.
Understanding of product testing requirements, product development cycles, and special processes.
Ability to interface with other segments of the order fulfillment process with minimal support.
Ability to support tracking and action on SQDC-related metrics to drive continuous improvement.
Proactive mindset focused on continuous improvement in manufacturing engineering and operations.

Qualifications

Experience in manufacturing engineering, including support of production processes and quality systems.
Experience in project management with cross-functional teams, including planning, coordination, and execution of improvement initiatives.
Background in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies.
Experience with equipment quoting, specification, and installation in a manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with quality assurance systems, procedures, and statistical techniques.
Knowledge of process validation, inspection, and testing methods for production and service processes.
Exposure to ergonomic assessment and workplace design improvements.
Understanding of customer service and supplier quality issue resolution, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Interest in or pursuit of professional certification related to quality engineering (such as ASQ Quality Engineer) is advantageous.
Ability to work collaboratively within technical and operations teams and contribute to strategic manufacturing planning.

Work Environment

This role operates within a combination of manufacturing and general office environments, with daily support provided to production areas. The Manufacturing Engineer spends time on the shop floor diagnosing issues, implementing solutions, and supporting operations leadership, as well as in an office setting performing analysis, documentation, and project planning. The position aligns with production working hours to ensure seamless support for ongoing operations and SQDC-focused activities. The environment involves interaction with production equipment, material handling systems, and various process technologies, requiring adherence to appropriate safety practices and standard manufacturing attire suitable for both office and factory settings.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.67 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 the following for eligible employees:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short-term 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, fully onsite position based in Athens, AL, aligning with production working hours.