Manufacturing Engineer (Contract)
Location: Richton Park, ILJob Requisition: 7699Hourly Pay Range: $50 – $60. Individual rates are based on education, geographic location, and alignment to the market data.
Description for Manufacturing Engineer:
The Manufacturing Engineer will provide hands-on manufacturing engineering support within a fast-paced production environment focused on operational efficiency, manufacturing process improvement, and facility optimization initiatives. This role will support day-to-day manufacturing operations while driving improvements in cycle time reduction, material flow, layout optimization, and continuous improvement activities across the plant.
This position is heavily execution-focused and ideal for an engineer who can quickly integrate into operations, identify improvement opportunities, and deliver practical manufacturing solutions with minimal ramp-up time.
Responsibilities for Manufacturing Engineer:
- Support manufacturing operations through hands-on process improvement and production support activities.
- Analyze and improve manufacturing cycle times, throughput, and operational efficiency.
- Assist with plant layout optimization, racking improvements, material flow, and workstation organization.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, waste reduction, and operational stability.
- Partner closely with production, operations, and engineering teams to resolve manufacturing issues and bottlenecks.
- Assist with WIP flow, material presentation, and floor organization initiatives.
- Help support packaging and material planning activities, including mins/maxes and operational flow improvements.
- Participate in Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing initiatives throughout the facility.
- Troubleshoot day-to-day manufacturing and process-related issues impacting production performance.
- Support process documentation updates and manufacturing best practices as needed.
- Provide engineering support during facility consolidation and operational transition activities.
- Recommend practical solutions that improve safety, efficiency, ergonomics, and production flow.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements for Manufacturing Engineer:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
- 3+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience within a production or plant environment.
- Experience supporting manufacturing process improvements, cycle time reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Hands-on experience working directly with production and operations teams.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and process optimization.
- Ability to work independently and make immediate contributions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills across plant operations teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting facility layout or material flow improvements.
- Exposure to automotive or Tier 1 manufacturing environments preferred but not required.
- Experience working within an IATF 16949 quality system environment.
- Experience with packaging flow, production scheduling, or manufacturing support activities.
- Familiarity with 6S, Kaizen, PFMEA, or continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations during facility consolidation or operational transitions.
- CAD or layout software experience is a plus but not required.
- Experience with AIAG Core Tools.
Benefits for Manufacturing Engineer:
- Health insurance eligibility on 1st day of employment (Medical, Dental)
- 401k after 6 months of employment
- Accrued Paid Time Off
