Manufacturing Cost Engineer

Job Description The Manufacturing Cost Engineer develops, analyzes, and maintains manufacturing cost estimates for new and existing products, processes, and projects. This role supports quoting, production planning, and cost-reduction initiatives by evaluating materials, labor, machining processes, equipment, routings, and manufacturing methods to ensure accurate pricing and profitable operations. Responsibilities Include

- Develop detailed manufacturing cost estimates for new and existing products, processes, and projects.
- Analyze materials, labor, machining processes, equipment, routings, and manufacturing methods to produce accurate cost models.
- Support quoting activities by providing timely, precise cost estimates and input for customer proposals.
- Collaborate with production planning to ensure cost data aligns with routings, capacity, and manufacturing schedules.
- Evaluate bills of material (BOMs), engineering drawings, and manufacturing specifications to determine required operations and costs.
- Use ERP systems to extract and maintain cost data, routings, and BOM information for ongoing analysis.
- Perform time studies and other manufacturing engineering analyses to validate labor standards and process times.
- Identify cost drivers and propose process improvements and cost-reduction opportunities in manufacturing operations.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by assessing the cost impact of changes in processes, tooling, and equipment.
- Prepare and maintain documentation related to cost estimates, assumptions, and methodologies for transparency and future reference.
- Work closely with manufacturing, industrial engineering, and production teams to ensure cost estimates reflect actual shop-floor practices.
- Use advanced Excel analysis to model scenarios, compare alternatives, and present cost data in a clear, actionable format.

Skills & Qualifications

- Experience in manufacturing engineering, cost engineering, industrial engineering, production planning, or process improvement.
- Experience in manufacturing cost estimating, including developing cost estimates, quotes, or cost models.
- Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of material (BOMs), routings, and manufacturing specifications.
- Solid understanding of machining processes such as milling, turning, grinding, EDM, and related tooling and production methods.
- Hands-on experience working with ERP systems to manage cost data, routings, and BOMs.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, cost modeling, and scenario evaluation.
- Experience conducting time studies and using the results to refine labor standards and process times.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes and workflows, including how materials, labor, and equipment contribute to overall cost.

Nice to Have

- Experience in process improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with industrial engineering principles applied to cost analysis and efficiency.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in cost data and assumptions.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Canton, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $52.00/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)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Canton, OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in North Canton,OH. 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.