Manufacturing Engineer

About the role

This role focuses on strengthening production stability within a complex aerospace manufacturing environment by implementing lean methodologies, ensuring rate readiness, and improving facility layouts and workflows. You will apply root cause analysis and continuous process improvement to enhance the flow of products and people across the site, while collaborating closely with manufacturing, engineering, and production-support teams.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day factory operations with a focus on production stability and operational efficiency.
• Perform capacity planning to ensure manufacturing resources meet current and future production demands.
• Conduct staffing forecasting to align workforce levels with production schedules and rate readiness requirements.
• Develop and execute recovery planning strategies to address schedule disruptions and restore production flow.
• Perform detailed data analytics to monitor performance, identify trends, and support decision-making.
• Conduct time studies and work measurement analyses to evaluate productivity and optimize processes.
• Implement lean methodologies to reduce waste, improve throughput, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Audit and improve the facilities footprint to optimize layout, material flow, and the movement of people and products.
• Utilize root cause analysis to identify, investigate, and resolve production and process issues.
• Define, develop, implement, and improve production processes to support rate readiness and quality objectives.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and production-support organizations as a self-starter and team-oriented contributor.
• Engage with supply chain logistics and transportation teams to understand and support material flow into manufacturing.
• Support the fabrication of raw materials into products and assemblies for delivery to assembly and installation programs worldwide.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited institution.
• 2 or more years of related work experience, or advanced technical education such as a Masters degree.
• At least 1 year of experience defining, developing, implementing, or improving production processes.
• Proven ability to perform data analysis to support manufacturing and industrial engineering decisions.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions for data manipulation and analysis.
• Experience with work measurement and time studies to evaluate and improve production processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including the use of root cause analysis to resolve operational issues.
• Hands-on manufacturing experience within a production environment.
• Background in industrial engineering and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to perform capacity planning, recovery planning, forecasting, and related operational analytics.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced technical education such as a Masters degree in a relevant field is considered a strong asset.
• Experience working in aerospace or complex manufacturing environments is beneficial.
• Familiarity with lean methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in manufacturing, engineering, and production support.
• Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and a focus on process optimization.
• Comfort working with large data sets and translating findings into actionable operational improvements.

Work Environment

This position is 100% onsite at a manufacturing facility in Portland, OR, providing direct involvement with factory operations and aerospace production activities. The role operates on a daytime shift schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., working in a hands-on environment that includes interaction with manufacturing equipment, production lines, and support teams. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and logistics personnel in a collaborative setting focused on continuous improvement, operational stability, and efficient product flow. Local or regional talent will be prioritized.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Portland, OR.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $43.26/hr.

Requirements

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)

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.