Junior Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Junior Manufacturing Engineer provides direct, hands-on support to active production lines, ensuring continuous operations and quickly resolving issues that affect throughput, quality, or safety. This role focuses on troubleshooting production stops, repairing or redesigning tooling and fixtures, and delivering real-time engineering solutions to operators on the shop floor. The engineer manages Requests for Engineering Assistance (REAs), improves manufacturing instructions and processes, and uses strong CAD skills—especially SolidWorks—to modify tooling and fixturing. Working closely with production leads, quality engineering, and operations, this position drives continuous improvement and maintains a smooth, efficient production flow.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on engineering support to active production lines to maintain operational continuity and minimize downtime.
• Diagnose and resolve production issues such as damaged or missing tools, worn or missing fixtures, mold defects, part nonconformances, and safety concerns on the shop floor.
• Troubleshoot production stops and implement effective corrective actions to keep manufacturing processes running smoothly.
• Repair, modify, and redesign tooling and fixtures using SolidWorks and other CAD tools to support production needs.
• Design and improve fixturing, including leveraging 3D printing for prototype or production fixtures where appropriate.
• Respond to and manage Requests for Engineering Assistance (REAs), ensuring timely resolution of production and process-related issues.
• Update, clarify, and rewrite manufacturing work instructions to improve clarity, consistency, and ease of manufacture.
• Optimize material handling and cutting methods to reduce variability, improve manufacturability, and enhance operator efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with production leads, operators, quality engineering, and operations to identify and implement process improvements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives to enhance throughput, quality, and safety.
• Support documentation management by maintaining accurate, up-to-date process documentation, instructions, and engineering changes.
• Apply practical mechanical understanding and problem-solving skills to address floor-level issues in real time.
• Use CMM inspection experience, especially laser CMM if available, to support dimensional verification and quality checks.
• Leverage SAP ERP (if experienced) to support production-related data, documentation, and process tracking.
• Act as a self-starter who independently prioritizes and executes tasks while coordinating with a more senior engineer covering a large portion of the factory.
• Stay engaged with ongoing aerospace-related projects, contributing to long-term production support and improvement efforts.

Essential Skills

• 1-3 years of proven professional experience, in manufacturing engineering, supporting active production environments (MECOP's or other internships will be considered).
• BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or Industrial Engineering
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve production issues such as damaged tools, mold failures, defects, and safety concerns.
• SolidWorks proficiency (required) for tooling repair, fixture design, and modification of manufacturing-related models.
• Experience with 3D printing in a work or hobby setting, particularly for tooling or fixture applications.
• Ability to manage and execute Requests for Engineering Assistance (REAs), including process changes and documentation updates.
• Strong process improvement mindset with experience in manufacturing process optimization and continuous improvement.
• Ability to write clear, detailed manufacturing instructions and process documentation with strong attention to detail.
• Comfort working directly on the manufacturing floor with engineers, operators, and production leads in a hands-on capacity.
• Self-starter mentality with the ability to work with limited day-to-day guidance while still collaborating effectively with a senior engineer.
• Practical mechanical understanding and problem-solving skills suited to a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Additional/Bonus Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally with exposure to aerospace or similar industries.
• CATIA experience preferred as a complement to SolidWorks.
• CMM inspection experience preferred, especially with laser CMM systems.
• SAP ERP experience preferred for supporting production and documentation workflows.
• Background in the rubber industry and strong problem-solving capabilities considered an excellent fit.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience with fixture design and understanding of fixturing requirements for manufacturing processes.
• Exposure to project management, engineering design, and documentation management.

We will be collecting and reviewing applications right away, giving high priority to local talent to the Portland and broader Oregon area. Recent or upcoming engineering grads with MECOP/intern experience are encouraged to apply.

#LI-MH3

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Newberg, OR.

The pay range for this position is $33.50 - $38.50/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Newberg,OR.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 12, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.

Salary : $34 - $39