Manufacturing Engineer (Continuous Improvement / Lean Operations)

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer (Continuous Improvement / Lean Operations) Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer will drive continuous improvement initiatives within a regulated, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment. This role focuses on Lean manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, 5S, industrial engineering, labor and process analysis, waste reduction, yield improvement, and overall manufacturing efficiency. The engineer collaborates closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, R&D, and other cross-functional teams to identify process constraints, investigate manufacturing issues, implement corrective actions, and sustain measurable improvements. This is a hands-on position that requires regular support of production activities within a Class 7 cleanroom.
Responsibilities
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using data-driven problem-solving methods to enhance manufacturing performance.
- Apply Lean Six Sigma and 5S principles to improve manufacturing flow, productivity, efficiency, safety, and workplace organization.
- Conduct labor time studies, process studies, and capacity analyses to establish standards and identify improvement opportunities.
- Develop and analyze process flow diagrams to evaluate bottlenecks, constraints, and manufacturing inefficiencies.
- Perform line balancing and evaluate value-added versus non-value-added activities to optimize production lines.
- Use Value Stream Mapping, spaghetti diagrams, and other Lean tools to identify and reduce waste.
- Lead initiatives focused on improving throughput, productivity, yield, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
- Analyze labor performance against established standards, identify significant variances, and recommend corrective actions.
- Perform root cause and corrective action investigations using tools such as fishbone diagrams, the 6Ms, and 5 Whys.
- Support RCCA and CAPA activities, including implementation and follow-through of corrective and preventive actions.
- Support process and equipment qualification activities, including IQ, OQ, and PQ.
- Drive capital equipment requests and support equipment qualification, implementation, and integration into manufacturing operations.
- Analyze mechanical designs, technical drawings, measurement systems, and manufacturing requirements to ensure robust production processes.
- Partner with Design Engineering and Manufacturing to incorporate Design for Manufacture and Assembly and cost considerations into product and process decisions.
- Lead process and product investigations and implement manufacturing fixes, modifications, and design enhancements.
- Ensure process and design changes are properly documented and comply with applicable quality and regulatory requirements.
- Create and update technical documentation, work instructions, process flow diagrams, control plans, and related manufacturing records.
- Support daily manufacturing operations within a Class 7 cleanroom, including adherence to gowning and cleanliness requirements.
- Build effective working relationships with internal teams and external partners to support operational excellence.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support manufacturing engineering and operational goals.
Essential Skills
- At least 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience.
- Demonstrated experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, 5S, and waste reduction.
- Hands-on experience planning or leading continuous improvement events and sustaining implemented improvements.
- Practical experience conducting labor time studies, process flow analysis, bottleneck analysis, and line balancing.
- Proven experience improving throughput, productivity, yield, or manufacturing efficiency.
- Experience performing root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions.
- Working knowledge of RCCA and CAPA processes within a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience using structured problem-solving tools such as fishbone diagrams and 5 Whys.
- Experience creating process flow diagrams and process control plans.
- Experience supporting equipment or process qualification, including IQ, OQ, and PQ.
- Ability to work regularly in a Class 7 cleanroom and comply with daily gowning requirements.
- Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and solve problems with limited supervision.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Background in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, sustaining engineering, or production engineering.
- Experience in process improvement, Lean manufacturing, operational excellence, and waste reduction.
- Familiarity with GMP and ISO requirements in regulated manufacturing.
- Experience in medical device manufacturing, assembly manufacturing, bioprocessing materials, or other regulated production environments.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing setting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Lean Six Sigma training or certification.
- Experience within medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- Experience creating or maintaining PFMEAs.
- Knowledge of 2D and 3D drawings and Bills of Materials.
- Experience with single-use consumable design or manufacturing.
- Biotech device development or manufacturing experience.
- Process characterization experience, including Design of Experiments.
- Experience applying Statistical Process Control in manufacturing operations.
- Experience supporting capital equipment implementation and qualification.
- Experience with high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with value stream mapping, spaghetti diagrams, standard work, and other Lean tools.
- Understanding of class 7 cleanroom practices and cleanroom-based manufacturing.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with senior engineers and cross-functional teams to develop manufacturing engineering capabilities.
Work Environment
This role is based 100% onsite in a fast-paced manufacturing facility that supports growth, new product introductions, and operational scaling. The Manufacturing Engineer works regularly within a Class 7 cleanroom environment and follows daily gowning procedures and cleanroom protocols. The schedule typically supports collaboration with both day and second shift production teams, with standard hours around 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The environment emphasizes operational excellence, regulated manufacturing practices such as GMP and ISO compliance, and close partnership with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and R&D. The organization is a large manufacturer of bioprocessing materials, offering opportunities to apply and further develop advanced manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement skills while working with experienced senior engineers.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Camarillo, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $68.00/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 Camarillo,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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.

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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
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shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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