Junior Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO

Job Title: Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer owns manufacturing engineering activities for assigned products, components, and assemblies throughout the full product lifecycle. This role plays a critical part in supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), production readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives. The engineer bridges the gap between Engineering and Operations, helping transition products from development into repeatable, scalable production environments. This position requires hands-on manufacturing expertise, strong cross-functional leadership, and a passion for solving complex technical and operational challenges while influencing product design, manufacturing strategy, and overall production performance.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing engineering execution for assigned products, modules, and assemblies from development through full-rate production.
• Lead manufacturing process development, including workflow creation, process definition, and production readiness activities.
• Collaborate closely with Design Engineering teams to drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) improvements.
• Support product transitions from prototype and early development builds into repeatable, scalable, full-rate production.
• Develop robust production processes, manufacturing requirements, tooling concepts, and detailed technical work instructions.
• Identify and assess manufacturing risks that may impact production schedules, product quality, cost, and scalability.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement effective corrective actions for manufacturing issues and nonconformances.
• Partner with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to optimize overall manufacturing performance.
• Improve throughput, yield, cycle times, and overall manufacturability through data-driven process improvements.
• Participate in manufacturing trade studies and process selection decisions to ensure optimal manufacturing strategies.
• Support APQP, PFMEA, SPC, Control Plans, and Lean Manufacturing initiatives to strengthen process robustness and quality.
• Serve as the manufacturing representative on Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), providing input on design, schedule, and risk.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multiple projects and programs.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues on the production floor and support operators with technical guidance and problem resolution.
• Drive continuous improvement activities focused on reducing waste, enhancing process capability, and improving product flow.
• Contribute to design reviews by highlighting manufacturability risks, assembly challenges, and opportunities for simplification.
• Support production ramp activities by refining processes, balancing capacity, and ensuring stable, repeatable operations.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience as a Manufacturing Engineer supporting production environments and product lifecycle activities.
• Demonstrated expertise in New Product Introduction (NPI), including process development, production readiness, and ramp support.
• Strong background in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), with the ability to influence design decisions.
• Hands-on experience developing and optimizing manufacturing processes, workflows, and technical work instructions.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis and corrective action implementation for manufacturing issues.
• Track record of improving yield, throughput, and cycle times in a production environment.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program teams.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PFMEA, SPC, and Control Plans as applied to manufacturing and quality systems.
• Ability to identify manufacturing risks and propose practical mitigation strategies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical and manufacturing challenges.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to represent manufacturing in design reviews and integrated product teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, highly technical production environment and being present on the factory floor.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• background in aerospace, propulsion, or defense manufacturing, including exposure to aerospace hardware, propulsion systems, rotating equipment, flight hardware, or defense-related products (highly preferred but not strictly required).
• Experience with advanced manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, precision assembly, welding, additive manufacturing, and post-processing operations.
• Demonstrated involvement in Lean Manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Experience supporting complex mechanical systems and advanced assemblies in a production environment.
• Exposure to manufacturing strategy development, production ramp activities, and operations leadership.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or providing technical leadership within project teams.
• Interest in working with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and aerospace-grade hardware.

Work Environment

This is a fully onsite manufacturing engineering role based within an active production environment. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer spends significant time on the production floor, working directly with operators and equipment, while also collaborating closely with design, quality, and operations teams in office and lab settings. The environment is fast-paced and highly technical, with a strong focus on solving real-world manufacturing challenges and supporting products from concept through full-rate production. The role offers exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies, complex mechanical systems, machining operations, additive manufacturing, and aerospace-grade hardware. The position involves regular participation in design reviews, cross-functional meetings, and factory-floor troubleshooting, and it is well-suited for someone who enjoys being visible on the shop floor, driving production improvements, and taking ownership of products and processes across the entire lifecycle.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Centennial, CO.

The pay range for this position is $58.00 - $70.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Centennial,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 5, 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.

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