R&d Engineer

Job Title: R&D Engineer Job Description
The R&D Product Engineer will be responsible for supporting new product development, product testing, and continuous improvement initiatives within a sheet metal manufacturing environment. This individual will work closely with engineering, sales, production, maintenance, and plant leadership to take new product concepts through design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Research, design, and develop new products that complement the existing product line.
- Create and prepare shop and fabrication drawings for new product prototypes.
- Support prototype development and product testing activities.
- Manage in-house testing requirements and maintain accurate test reports and documentation.
- Coordinate with third-party testing agencies as needed.
- Evaluate existing manufacturing and fabrication processes to identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost.
- Work with maintenance and plant leadership to develop jigs, fixtures, and other solutions that improve manufacturing productivity.
- Review production operations and recommend process improvements.
- Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and technical specifications.
- Utilize AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks to support product design and manufacturing needs.
- Collaborate across engineering, production, sales, and operations to resolve technical and manufacturing challenges.
Essential Skills
- Sheet metal design
- Product design development
- CAD design with proficiency in AutoCAD and SolidWorks
- Sheet metal fabrication/manufacturing
- Product testing and validation
- Process improvement
- Blueprint reading
- Mechanical design engineering
- Design for manufacturing
- CAD drafting
- Technical documentation
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant experience
- Experience working within a sheet metal fabrication or manufacturing environment
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, and technical specifications
- Understanding of manufacturing processes, product development, and fabrication methods
- Experience supporting process improvement, production efficiency, quality, and cost-reduction initiatives
- Familiarity with developing or improving jigs and fixtures is preferred
- Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills
- High attention to detail and ability to produce accurate work
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with minimal supervision
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, production, maintenance, sales, and plant leadership
- Minimal travel required
Work Environment
Located in a climate-controlled manufacturing facility, this role offers a mix of office-based engineering and hands-on production support. Depending on business needs, time may vary between desk work and the manufacturing floor, with some weeks spent primarily on design and documentation and others focused on supporting production activities and implementing engineering improvements. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys being both behind the computer and actively engaged with manufacturing operations.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tanner, AL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $36.05 - $48.08/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 Tanner, AL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Tanner,AL. 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.