Light Manufacturing Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

This Manufacturing Engineer role supports the transfer and startup of a manufacturing cell from an existing facility to a new production site. You design and implement the new cell layout, establish process flows, develop fixtures and tooling, create standard work, and train operators to enable a safe, efficient, and repeatable production launch. You work closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to stabilize the new cell, improve first pass yield, support on-time delivery, and ensure the operation can meet customer demand at standard production rates. This is an on-site position in a light manufacturing and assembly environment, initially contract/temp-based with potential for full-time conversion.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the full transfer of an existing manufacturing cell and processes into a new production site.
• Plan and implement manufacturing cell layouts, including equipment placement, workstations, and material flow paths.
• Develop cell layouts that improve safety, ergonomics, material flow, quality, and production efficiency.
• Review existing SOPs and finished units to understand current processes and performance expectations.
• Reverse engineer and rebuild manufacturing processes when direct observation of the existing line is not possible.
• Set up workstations and production flow to replicate and optimize the existing manufacturing environment.
• Establish facility and cell layouts aligned with production needs and customer demand.
• Create and document standard work, detailed work instructions, process controls, and visual management tools.
• Map and document all processes for the new site to ensure clarity, traceability, and repeatability.
• Develop and implement operator training materials based on standard work and process requirements.
• Train operators on new and existing processes, quality expectations, equipment usage, and safe work practices.
• Ensure operators can consistently meet standard production times to support startup output targets and customer demand.
• Support startup and stabilization of the new cell by identifying risks, resolving issues, and improving first pass yield and throughput.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, delivery, safety, and productivity.
• Maintain production performance to meet on-time delivery goals and standard production rates.
• Collaborate with Quality and suppliers to identify root causes of component or process failures and implement corrective actions.
• Develop fixturing, tooling, and process improvements to support production lines and enhance manufacturability.
• Support qualification of new and revised parts in partnership with engineering and cross-functional teams.
• Implement and improve standard work processes to reduce variation and enhance consistency.
• Apply structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to address process issues and improve key performance indicators, including first pass yield.
• Interpret SOPs and translate them into practical, efficient production processes and workflows.
• Perform hands-on setup, adjustment, and troubleshooting of manufacturing workflows and equipment.
• Move equipment and workstations as needed to optimize layout and support process changes.
• Contribute to project planning and execution for site consolidation, ensuring milestones are met within the defined timeline.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, or operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing.
• Experience transferring, starting up, or relocating manufacturing cells, production lines, or assembly processes (strongly preferred).
• Proven experience developing manufacturing layouts for cells, lines, or facilities.
• Proven experience creating process flows and mapping end-to-end manufacturing processes.
• in developing standard work and detailed work instructions.
• Experience creating operator training materials and delivering effective training.
• Ability to train operators and clearly communicate process expectations and quality standards.
• Knowledge of engineering drawings and design concepts.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes in a production environment.
• Familiarity with fabrication techniques such as casting, molding, and machining.
• Experience with production processes, including monitoring and improving throughput and yield.
• Hands-on experience with root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and project management.
• Ability to interpret SOPs and translate them into practical production workflows.
• Capability to perform hands-on setup and troubleshooting of manufacturing workflows.
• Ability to lift up to approximately 50 pounds and move equipment or workstations as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with manufacturing transfers and site consolidation projects.
• Experience as a machinist or in maintenance with 2–5 years of hands-on experience.
• Experience as a more senior engineer with full process implementation responsibilities.
• Degree in an engineering discipline is preferred, but relevant hands-on experience is considered.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement visual management tools.
• Experience tracking and improving KPIs such as first pass yield, throughput, and on-time delivery.
• Comfort working in cross-functional teams, including Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering.
• Strong communication skills for documenting processes, training, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to work within a defined project timeline and adapt to evolving project needs.

Work Environment

The role is fully on-site within a light manufacturing and assembly environment rather than heavy production. The work focuses on the assembly of hardware and components, including marking and coding products. You will regularly work with manufacturing equipment, fixtures, tooling, and production workstations, and you will be involved in hands-on setup, adjustment, and troubleshooting of workflows. The environment emphasizes safety, ergonomics, and efficient material flow, with standard work, SOPs, and visual management tools guiding daily operations. Some physical activity is required, including moving equipment and workstations and lifting up to approximately 50 pounds. The position is project-focused and timeline-driven, supporting a site consolidation effort with a target completion by Q2 2027. It begins as a contract/temp-based role with potential for full-time conversion at the new site. The culture promotes collaboration across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering, and encourages continuous improvement in quality, delivery, safety, and productivity.

This is a Contract position based out of Itasca, IL.

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $57.69/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 Itasca,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 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.