Remote Optical Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Michigan

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled Manufacturing Engineer to lead the launch, commissioning, and ramp-up of new equipment at supplier locations both domestically and internationally. The successful candidate will be integral in product development, from concept through design release, providing manufacturing feasibility input and DFM/DFMA recommendations while partnering with suppliers to incorporate external feedback and constraints.

Responsibilities

• Participate in product development from concept through design release, providing manufacturing feasibility input and DFM/DFMA recommendations.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and design revisions to identify manufacturability risks and propose engineering solutions.
• Lead and drive innovation in manufacturing technologies for complex roll forming of steel products, incorporating technologies such as stamping, casting, linear welding, laser cutting, machining, coating/finishing, assembly, testing, and automation.
• Plan and execute prototype builds, supplier trials, and on-site validations to verify functional intent and critical dimensions.
• Lead technical value engineering and cost-reduction initiatives, developing engineering solutions to validate savings while maintaining product performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturability.
• Define and validate manufacturing readiness deliverables, including process flows, risk assessments, inspection approaches, work instructions, packaging requirements, and ramp-readiness checklists.
• Conduct supplier factory readiness audits, support supplier ramp execution, and drive corrective action plans.
• Identify and deploy manufacturing technologies and best practices across the supplier footprint, including automation and inspection equipment.
• Define technical requirements for tooling/equipment, develop and execute FAT/SAT acceptance criteria, and support installation, commissioning, and training with suppliers.
• Serve as a Manufacturing Engineering reviewer/approver for engineering changes in the company PLM system and drive controlled implementation at suppliers.
• Provide rapid technical escalation support and lead structured root-cause and corrective actions when issues impact customers.
• Document best practices and deploy standardized solutions across the supplier base.
• Participate in NPI readiness reviews and cross-functional meetings to track technical readiness, prototype status, validation outcomes, and risk closure.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline with at least 10+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering for complex roll-formed steel components and assemblies.
• Experience in design for manufacturing, steel manufacturing processes, or steel machinery.
• 5+ years of experience serving large OEM customers in sectors such as renewable energy, automotive, consumer electronics, or industrial manufacturing.
• Proven experience in DFM/DFMA influence on design releases and factory validation.
• Strong experience with roll forming complex steel shapes and fabrication processes.
• Experience leading supplier-facing engineering activities including process readiness, tooling readiness, validation builds, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with engineering change management in a PLM system.
• CAD collaboration capability for manufacturability reviews and the ability to interpret engineering drawings.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma concepts and structured problem solving.
• Ability to accommodate flexible schedules for global work teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Metallurgical Engineering preferred.
• Experience with additional manufacturing processes is a plus.
• Solar tracker experience is a plus.

Work Environment

This position involves travel around 75% of the time to supplier locations both internationally and domestically. When not traveling, remote work is possible. The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, offering the opportunity to work with a rapidly growing company in an exciting industry.

This is a Permanent position based out of Detroit, MI.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $120000.00/yr.

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 jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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 hybrid position in Detroit,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 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.