Process Engineer

Job Title: Process Engineer Job Description
The Process Engineer plays a key role in developing, validating, and improving manufacturing processes and equipment for new and existing automotive products. This role focuses on introducing new products, optimizing production efficiency and quality, ensuring equipment safety, and supporting cross-functional teams in a Tier One automotive environment that designs and manufactures advanced sensors, actuators, and mechatronic modules.
Responsibilities
- Propose manufacturing processes and equipment concepts to project leaders that meet customer requirements and satisfaction, and work with suppliers to develop and refine this equipment.
- Lead the development of Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to identify and mitigate potential risks in new and existing processes.
- Develop equipment from the requirement phase through final validation for both new machinery and transfers of equipment from other factories within the group.
- Approve modifications to manufacturing standards for existing products and establish and approve standards for new products.
- Create detailed layouts for workshops and workstations for new products or significant process modifications to ensure efficient and safe workflows.
- Perform time studies and define production times for new products or process changes to support accurate planning, costing, and capacity analysis.
- Continuously improve manufacturing processes in terms of quality and cost, aligning with best practices and standards used in the automotive industry.
- Take responsibility for the safety of all new manufacturing equipment within scope, including performing initial safety audits, implementing Lock Out Tag Out procedures, and determining required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Monitor supplier activities and ensure safety compliance during machine setup and installation.
- Support the maintenance team in resolving equipment and process issues that cannot be addressed by maintenance alone.
- Achieve defined individual and continuous improvement objectives and contribute to ongoing process optimization initiatives.
- Work effectively with other departments and global engineering and management teams, including collaboration with colleagues located in France and other sites.
- Participate in customer audits and visits, representing the engineering function and providing process and equipment-related information.
- Strictly adhere to company safety policies and other documented procedures, and actively implement measures to achieve quality, safety, and environmental objectives while reducing environmental impacts related to manufacturing activities.
- Provide accurate and timely information to maintain project plans, including product and equipment requirements, budgets, workforce needs, technical objectives, schedules, and cost estimates for projects and products.
- Prepare and maintain Equipment Validation, Plan & Report (EVP&R) documents to support the validation and approval of manufacturing equipment.
- Analyze functional test data from equipment and processes, identify potential failure modes, and propose corrective actions to the team.
- Interface with management and all levels of personnel within the organization to coordinate projects, share information, and drive process improvements.
- Collaborate closely with local and global engineers, as well as maintenance, quality, and environmental health and safety teams, on equipment-related projects, process improvements, and product enhancements.
- Engage with customer and vendor representatives, including participation in customer audits and visits as requested, to support technical discussions and continuous improvement.
Essential Skills
- Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and their application in an automotive production environment.
- Background in mechatronics or closely related disciplines, with the ability to understand and work with complex electromechanical equipment.
- Proven experience in process improvement, including reducing cycle time and scrap rates.
- Proficiency in CAD software for designing layouts, workstations, and equipment-related drawings.
- Ability to optimize manufacturing processes for quality, cost, and efficiency.
- Experience conducting PFMEA and other risk analysis methods for manufacturing processes.
- Capability to perform time studies and production timing for new products and process modifications.
- Understanding of equipment safety requirements, including Lock Out Tag Out procedures and PPE determination.
- Strong analytical skills to review functional test data and identify potential failure modes.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including maintenance, quality, and environmental health and safety.
- Effective communication skills for interfacing with internal stakeholders, customers, and vendors.
- Commitment to adhering to safety, quality, and environmental policies and objectives.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working in a Tier One automotive environment or with major automotive manufacturers.
- Familiarity with advanced automotive sensors, actuators, and mechatronic modules, particularly those related to powertrain and transmission efficiency, e-mobility, and vehicle performance.
- Experience participating in customer audits and supporting customer visits.
- Comfort working with global teams and coordinating with international engineering and management groups.
- Ability to prepare structured validation documentation such as Equipment Validation, Plan & Report (EVP&R) documents.
- Experience developing and approving manufacturing standards for both new and existing products.
- Demonstrated track record in continuous improvement initiatives and achievement of defined improvement objectives.
Work Environment
The role is based in a Tier One automotive manufacturing environment that designs and produces advanced sensors, actuators, and mechatronic modules. The facility focuses on products that improve powertrain and transmission efficiency, support e-mobility, and enhance overall vehicle performance, serving major automotive manufacturers such as GM, Ford, and Stellantis. The work involves regular interaction with production equipment, workshops, and workstations, as well as collaboration with engineering, maintenance, quality, and environmental health and safety teams. The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with structured procedures, audits, and validation processes supporting daily operations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elkmont, AL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $45.67/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 Elkmont,AL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 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.