Manufacturing Engineer

About the Role

This entry-level Manufacturing Engineer role supports continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced, high-volume food manufacturing environment. You will focus on enhancing production efficiency, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reducing downtime, and optimizing processes across multiple production lines. This position is ideal for a hands-on engineer who enjoys being on the manufacturing floor, analyzing production data, solving problems, and collaborating closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze production data, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and OEE metrics to identify opportunities for improvement across multiple production lines.
• Support continuous improvement projects aimed at increasing throughput, reducing waste, and improving equipment reliability.
• Conduct root cause analysis for production issues, using methods such as 5 Why and Fishbone, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve equipment performance, process stability, and overall line efficiency.
• Assist with line optimization, process standardization, and workflow improvements to support consistent and reliable production.
• Develop, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and other process documentation.
• Monitor production trends and recommend improvements related to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Support and participate in lean manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, kaizen events, and waste reduction projects.
• Participate in capital improvement and equipment installation projects to support new or upgraded manufacturing capabilities.
• Work directly on the manufacturing floor to troubleshoot production challenges and implement practical, data-driven solutions.
• Assist in conducting time studies, capacity analysis, and process mapping activities to understand and improve manufacturing processes.
• Track, report, and communicate KPI performance and the impact of implemented improvements to stakeholders.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Foundational knowledge of manufacturing engineering principles and manufacturing processes.
• Experience or coursework in process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to perform OEE analysis and interpret manufacturing metrics to drive decisions.
• Hands-on experience or training in root cause analysis techniques such as 5 Why and Fishbone diagrams.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing concepts, including 5S, kaizen, and waste reduction.
• Ability to support process optimization efforts to improve throughput, quality, and reliability.
• Skill in KPI tracking and reporting to monitor performance and improvement results.
• Basic equipment troubleshooting skills within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience or ability to develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Strong data analysis skills to evaluate production performance and identify trends.
• Interest or experience in manufacturing operations, including exposure to production floor activities.
• Suitability for recent engineering graduates or candidates with manufacturing engineering internship experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Exposure to continuous improvement projects in an academic, internship, or prior work setting.
• Familiarity with OEE, manufacturing metrics, and KPI dashboards.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with operations, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams.
• Ability to work independently on the manufacturing floor while contributing to cross-functional project teams.
• Motivation to gain significant hands-on engineering experience in a production environment.

Job Details

• Position Type: Permanent
• Location: Burlington, NC
• Workplace Type: Fully onsite
• Pay Range: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00/yr
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance options, Health Savings Account (HSA) eligible medical plans, Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays.
• Application Deadline: Oct 30, 2026

About Actalent

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