Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer supports automotive manufacturing operations with a focus on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction in the assembly area. This role provides hands-on engineering support to production, leads process and equipment changes, and drives continuous improvement initiatives. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues, implement corrective and preventive actions, and ensure vehicles are built to design specifications using appropriate tooling, jigs, and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support to the production shop to help meet key performance targets for safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Ensure vehicles are built to design specifications by providing appropriate tooling, jigs, fixtures, equipment, and resources to production.
• Work collaboratively across the shop to determine root causes of issues and obtain support to implement countermeasures.
• Serve as project lead for section change points, including introduction of new parts, tooling, poka-yoke solutions, and equipment installations.
• Lead Kaizen activities within the section to improve process capability, workability, and overall efficiency.
• Coordinate and lead cross-shop investigations for design-related safety and quality issues, and develop effective corrective and preventive measures.
• Investigate and understand current production conditions, analyze complex issues, and make sound decisions on appropriate countermeasures.
• Support and optimize the use of electronic, air, and battery-powered tools in the assembly process.
• Visualize, specify, and support the design of tooling, fixtures, and equipment using AutoCAD or Autodesk Inventor.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues to minimize downtime, improve reliability, and enhance equipment performance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in manufacturing processes, focusing on ergonomics, efficiency, and cost reduction.
• Collaborate with other engineers and stakeholders to maintain project schedules and support timely implementation of changes.
• Read and interpret vehicle and equipment blueprints, drawings, and manuals to support process and equipment decisions.
• Use Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Visio to document, analyze, and communicate engineering activities.

Qualifications (not all bullet points are required)

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.
• Some form of co-op, internship, or professional experience in manufacturing.
• 1–3 years of experience in manufacturing or assembly experience is preferred.
• Experienced working with PLCs is preferred
• Experience with robots is preferred
• Experience in equipment reliability analysis and reliability management systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex production issues and implement effective countermeasures.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and production staff.
• Ability to read and interpret vehicle and equipment blueprints, drawings, and manuals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Visio.
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing environments, including assembly and production processes.
• Automotive assembly or broader automotive manufacturing experience is a significant plus.
• Experience with process engineering, manufacturing engineering, and mechanical engineering in a production environment.
• Familiarity with process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies, including Kaizen and Six Sigma concepts.
• Experience with manufacturing process optimization, including ergonomics and efficiency improvements.
• Knowledge of poka-yoke (error-proofing) methods in manufacturing.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor or related CAD tools for designing and specifying tooling and fixtures.
• Experience with tooling, jigs, fixtures, and production equipment in an assembly environment.
• Experience in reliability engineering and equipment reliability improvement.
• Exposure to electrical systems and controls within a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to work with electronic tools, air tools, and battery-powered tools in an assembly context.

Work Environment

The role is based in a Japanese automotive OEM manufacturing environment focused on vehicle assembly, including models such as compact sedans. The engineer works on the production floor, closely supporting assembly operations and collaborating with production teams, maintenance, and other engineers. The environment includes the use of electronic, air, and battery-powered tools, as well as automated equipment, PLC-controlled systems, and industrial robots. Work involves frequent interaction with production lines, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment in a fast-paced, continuous improvement-oriented setting. Standard business software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Visio, along with engineering tools like AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor, are used regularly. The position may involve occasional travel, with paid travel time when necessary. The organization offers 10 days of paid time off, 2 paid plant shutdown periods, and 9 paid holidays, supporting a balanced and supportive work environment.

This is a Permanent position based out of Tupelo, MS.

The pay range for this position is $65000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

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 Tupelo,MS.

This position is anticipated to close on May 19, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $65,000 - $100,000