Manufacturing Process Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Process Engineer Job Description
The Manufacturing Process Engineer supports axle carrier machining operations and plays a key role on a launch team responsible for building, validating, and optimizing new manufacturing systems for a major truck program. This role focuses on developing and implementing new manufacturing processes, commissioning equipment, driving continuous improvement in safety, quality, and productivity, and solving complex launch challenges in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
Responsibilities
- Support manufacturing process engineering activities for axle carrier machining in a high-volume production environment.
- Drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, and productivity across machining and assembly operations.
- Apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to establish, validate, and continuously improve manufacturing processes.
- Lead projects related to the delivery, installation, and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment.
- Lead and conduct process audits to ensure process discipline and alignment with established operational guidelines.
- Conduct ergonomic job evaluations and implement corrective actions to improve safety and operator comfort.
- Analyze carrier inventory and reject root causes, develop process maps, and implement corrective actions to reduce scrap and rework.
- Create detailed process documentation and instruction sheets that support quality methods and standardized work.
- Develop and deliver capable processes and tooling for assembly operations supporting axle carrier machining.
- Take a lead role in resolving machining-related concerns, including troubleshooting equipment and process variability.
- Lead variability reduction initiatives and implement lean manufacturing best practices to stabilize and improve processes.
- Ensure compliance with plant, corporate, governmental, and environmental standards in all process engineering activities.
- Identify throughput constraints and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions to achieve rate-of-climb and production readiness targets.
- Participate in developing and implementing new manufacturing processes for a major vehicle launch program.
- Support quality and production readiness initiatives, including gauge capability, FMEA, PPAP, and DOE-related activities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Controls, Tooling, Operations, and Skilled Trades to solve launch-related challenges in real time.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 1+ years of experience in CNC machining manufacturing, preferably in high-volume production environments.
- Hands-on experience with CNC machines and machining processes such as boring and drilling.
- Background in manufacturing process engineering with a focus on machining and tooling.
- Experience in high-volume production machining and tool manufacturing.
- Demonstrated project management experience, including equipment delivery and commissioning.
- Deep understanding of gauge repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) and capability studies.
- Experience working with axles or other automotive components in a manufacturing setting.
- Proven process improvement experience in manufacturing environments.
- Six Sigma experience and familiarity with data-driven problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience with FMEA, PPAP, and Design of Experiments (DOEs).
- Knowledge and application of visual factory management principles.
- Ergonomic analysis knowledge and experience in evaluating and improving operator tasks.
- Effective oral and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and reporting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience supporting launch activities for new vehicle or component programs.
- Ability to develop and implement new manufacturing processes from concept through production readiness.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex launch and production challenges in real time.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve as launch milestones approach.
- Ability to lead initiatives, present solutions, and influence decisions with manufacturing and program leadership.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing tools and best practices for variability reduction and continuous improvement.
- Experience creating clear process documentation, work instructions, and quality support materials.
- Capability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Quality, Controls, Tooling, Operations, and Skilled Trades.
- Interest in gaining advanced launch experience and growing a career within automotive manufacturing.
Work Environment
This role is part of a launch team at a high-profile axle plant supporting the introduction of a brand-new truck program. The environment is fast-paced, highly collaborative, and hands-on, with a strong focus on creating and optimizing new manufacturing processes and systems rather than maintaining existing operations. Team members work closely with engineers, manufacturing specialists, quality professionals, controls experts, tooling specialists, operations, and skilled trades to solve complex challenges and ensure a successful launch.

The position operates primarily on first shift, offering a consistent daytime schedule that supports work-life balance. While critical launch milestones may occasionally require additional support, the core expectation is a predictable first-shift work pattern.

The professional environment features a business casual dress code, reflecting the blend of engineering, manufacturing, and leadership responsibilities. Team members regularly move between conference rooms, launch meetings, supplier reviews, leadership presentations, and the manufacturing floor, creating a dynamic setting where communication and collaboration are essential.

You can expect high visibility with manufacturing and program leadership, opportunities to present solutions and lead initiatives, and work that directly impacts the success of a major vehicle program. The culture emphasizes open communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Every day brings new opportunities to solve problems, remove barriers, and see how your contributions translate into production readiness and launch success. The role offers exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies and launch methodologies, and the experience gained can significantly accelerate career development within automotive manufacturing.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Sterling Heights, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $46.06 - $50.66/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 Sterling Heights,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 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.