Digital Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer role focuses on developing, improving, and digitizing manufacturing processes within the welding department. You will perform detailed process work, including time studies and build processes, while creating and refining 3D and 2D models to support efficient production. The position plays a key role in transitioning from paper-based systems to a fully digital manufacturing environment and will help lead process standardization and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple welding areas.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed process work, including time studies and development of build processes, to improve efficiency and consistency in the welding department.
• Create and modify 3D models and generate 2D views to support manufacturing and assembly operations.
• Use digital tools and software to review models, zoom in on critical features, and verify dimensions and tolerances.
• Learn and apply the manufacturing resource planning (MRP) system to build and maintain routings and related process documentation.
• Work through processes for one assigned welding area from start to finish, then repeat this approach in subsequent areas to standardize and optimize workflows.
• Support the transition from paper-based process documentation to a fully digital system by updating, organizing, and validating existing processes.
• Participate in the creation and setup of digital software systems that support manufacturing process control and documentation.
• Collaborate with welding and fabrication teams to ensure that process documentation aligns with practical shop-floor requirements, even if not serving as a weld engineer.
• Apply principles of manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and lean manufacturing to drive continuous improvement and process optimization.
• Contribute to catch-up work on existing processes by reviewing, updating, and modernizing legacy documentation and models.
• Support process improvement initiatives in metal fabrication, assembly, and welding to enhance quality, throughput, and safety.
• Train on first shift as needed and provide occasional support on second shift to ensure coverage and continuity of process work.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that new and revised processes are implemented effectively and understood by production staff.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or a closely related field; candidates with at least 3 years of experience may be considered.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing engineering and process engineering in a production environment.
• Proficiency in process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in metal fabrication, assembly, and welding environments.
• Ability to perform and analyze time studies and develop detailed build processes.
• Proficiency with CAD tools, including Creo or similar 3D CAD software, for creating 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Ability to interpret and verify dimensions and tolerances on 2D and 3D models.
• Experience working with manufacturing resource planning (MRP) systems or similar production planning tools.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and their application on the shop floor.
• Capability to work with limited supervision, demonstrating sound judgment and the ability to ramp up quickly.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills for managing multiple processes and documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting welding processes, even without being a dedicated weld engineer, is beneficial.
• Knowledge in digitizing manufacturing processes or transitioning from paper-based to digital systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with setting up and configuring digital software systems for manufacturing documentation and control.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Interest in working within a highly reputable, globally oriented engineering organization.
• Motivation to contribute to a major investment initiative focused on modernizing and digitizing manufacturing operations.

Work Environment

This position is based on a manufacturing floor within a welding-focused production environment. The role is predominantly first shift, with typical hours of either 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Peoria, IL.

The pay range for this position is $31.00 - $43.26/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Peoria,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 13, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.