Production Engineer IV

Job Title: Production Engineer IV Job Description This Production Engineer IV role focuses on production planning within a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will optimize production operations through effective scheduling, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment with program milestones and on-time delivery commitments. As the primary planning resource for hardware production builds from procurement through final delivery, you will use data analysis and scenario modeling to support critical path decisions, improve efficiency, reduce waste, and drive continuous process improvements across manufacturing operations. This position offers the opportunity to support next-generation space and station programs while collaborating closely with various departments. Responsibilities

- Maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) across multiple programs, manufacturing operations, and production support services, ensuring alignment with program milestones and on-time delivery objectives.
- Serve as the primary planning resource for hardware builds from initial procurement through final delivery, overseeing the end-to-end planning process.
- Develop and maintain detailed production plans, including capacity and material planning, to support hardware manufacturing and assembly activities.
- Communicate project progress, schedule status, and potential risks clearly and regularly to key stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Support and facilitate cross-functional production planning reviews, providing schedule and readiness updates to leadership and program teams.
- Execute capacity planning, make-versus-buy analyses, and scenario modeling to support critical path decision-making and optimize resource utilization.
- Identify, analyze, and resolve production bottlenecks, schedule conflicts, and resource constraints through proactive risk management and problem solving.
- Integrate, configure, and maintain planning activities within ERP, MRP, and MES systems, ensuring data accuracy and system integrity.
- Release and manage work orders within ERP, MRP, and MES systems to ensure execution aligns with manufacturing schedules and program objectives.
- Partner closely with operations, manufacturing, supply chain, and program leadership to optimize build sequencing and resource allocation across work centers.
- Track production metrics, develop planning dashboards, and provide data-driven insights to support operational performance and decision-making.
- Analyze production and scheduling data to improve lead times, increase efficiency, and reduce waste across manufacturing operations.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives, leveraging data and cross-functional collaboration to enhance production planning practices.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support successful program execution and operational excellence.

Essential Skills

- At least 8+ years of experience as a Production Engineer in a manufacturing environment.
- At least 8+ years of production planning or project management experience, preferably supporting hardware manufacturing, assembly, and testing.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Manufacturing, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Strong experience with electronics manufacturing processes and hardware production builds.
- Proficiency in ERP and MRP systems, including releasing and managing work orders and maintaining accurate planning data.
- Experience working with MES systems to support manufacturing execution and schedule adherence.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and development of planning dashboards.
- Familiarity with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) for understanding engineering drawings and manufacturing requirements.
- Experience using MS Project and Primavera for project scheduling, resource planning, and critical path analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to perform capacity planning, make-versus-buy analyses, and scenario modeling to support operational decisions.
- Proven ability to identify, analyze, and resolve production bottlenecks, schedule conflicts, and resource constraints.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to convey schedule status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment while managing multiple programs and priorities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Experience supporting manufacturing, assembly, and testing of complex hardware, ideally in advanced technology or aerospace-related programs.
- Experience in electronics manufacturing and familiarity with work center operations and production support services.
- Experience collaborating with operations, manufacturing, supply chain, and program leadership to optimize build sequencing and resource allocation.
- Ability to develop and maintain production metrics and dashboards that provide actionable, data-driven insights.
- Strong analytical skills and a solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to use data analysis and scenario modeling to drive continuous process improvement.
- Resilient, driven, and proactive approach to managing schedules, risks, and changing priorities.
- Comfort working across multiple programs and stakeholders, balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution.
- Interest in supporting next-generation space and station initiatives and contributing to innovative, mission-driven projects.

Work Environment The role is primarily based in an office environment, with typical work involving computer-based planning, data analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Depending on specific tasks, you may occasionally work inside production areas or in other on-site locations to support manufacturing, assembly, and testing activities. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced, centered around advanced hardware and electronics manufacturing for next-generation space and station programs, with frequent interaction with operations, manufacturing, supply chain, and program teams.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Webster, Texas.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $65.00/hr. 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. 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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Webster,Texas.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 1, 2026. 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 [email protected] 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.