Industrial Engineer

Job Title: Industrial Automation EngineerJob Description

This Industrial Automation Engineer role supports the Autonomous Manufacturing & Deployment organization by planning, developing, and deploying automation solutions that enhance material flow, labor efficiency, safety, and overall operational performance within a high-volume assembly manufacturing environment. You will focus heavily on front-end analysis, material flow optimization, and solution development, while remaining engaged throughout implementation, launch, and stabilization of automation systems. The position requires a blend of strong analytical and problem-solving skills with practical experience in manufacturing operations and automation initiatives, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable and effective automation solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support facility, process, and material flow planning activities for manufacturing automation projects, ensuring that layouts and flows align with operational goals.
• Develop and review layouts, route concepts, operational requirements, and material delivery strategies that optimize throughput, efficiency, and safety.
• Participate in simulation, modeling, and analysis activities to evaluate proposed automation solutions and assess their impact on operational performance.
• Determine operational requirements such as throughput targets, staffing impacts, fleet sizing, route capacities, and system utilization to ensure robust and scalable designs.
• Partner with internal engineering teams and external suppliers to develop practical, scalable automation solutions that integrate effectively with existing operations.
• Support implementation, commissioning, startup, and stabilization activities for automation systems and material handling technologies on the plant floor.
• Collaborate with deployment engineers, controls engineers, suppliers, and plant personnel during project execution to ensure smooth integration and launch.
• Assist with troubleshooting material flow issues, process integration challenges, and system performance problems during launch and early operation.
• Validate operational performance of automation systems after deployment and identify opportunities to improve system effectiveness and reliability.
• Support achievement of project timing, safety, quality, and operational objectives by actively monitoring progress and addressing issues as they arise.
• Work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, materials, logistics, supply chain, safety, IT, and external suppliers to align on requirements and solutions.
• Facilitate discussions and workshops to align stakeholders on future-state processes, automation strategies, and material flow concepts.
• Communicate project progress, recommendations, risks, and improvement opportunities to project teams and leadership in a clear and structured manner.
• Support supplier evaluations, solution reviews, and implementation activities to ensure selected technologies meet technical and operational needs.
• Develop and maintain project documentation, process documentation, implementation plans, training materials, and operational work instructions as required.
• Capture lessons learned from projects and support continuous improvement of automation standards, methodologies, and deployment processes.
• Share best practices and support knowledge transfer across project teams to build organizational capability in automation and industrial engineering.
• Contribute to feasibility studies, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, ROI models, and project justifications to support informed decision-making.
• Use data analysis and reporting tools to provide insights that guide operational decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Robotics, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, material flow engineering, logistics engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience conducting labor, productivity, process, staffing, work-measurement, or operational-planning analyses in a manufacturing or logistics environment.
• Experience analyzing material flow, inventory management, logistics optimization, line-side delivery strategies, replenishment systems, or PFEP (Plan for Every Part) methodologies.
• Experience developing future-state manufacturing processes, automation concepts, or operational improvement initiatives that enhance throughput and efficiency.
• Experience supporting automation implementation, commissioning, startup, stabilization, or continuous-improvement activities in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to develop or review layouts, facility plans, route concepts, operational requirements, and material delivery strategies.
• Ability to analyze operational requirements, including throughput targets, staffing impacts, fleet sizing, route capacities, and system utilization, to guide system design.
• Experience preparing or supporting feasibility studies, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, ROI models, or project justifications for automation or process improvements.
• Experience using data analysis and reporting tools to support operational decision-making and performance tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, engineering, supply chain, materials, logistics, and equipment suppliers.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and develop practical, data-driven solutions.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organization and project-execution skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a dynamic environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with advanced manufacturing technologies such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
• Exposure to simulation and modeling tools used for evaluating automation concepts and material flow strategies.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies and standards for automation deployment.
• Interest in working on cutting-edge automation equipment and innovative material handling solutions.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily within a plant-floor manufacturing environment, supporting an assembly facility that leverages advanced automation and material handling technologies. You will spend significant time in production areas working directly with automation equipment, including cutting-edge AMR and AGV systems, alongside operations, maintenance, and engineering teams. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with frequent interaction across functions such as logistics, supply chain, safety, and IT. Work may involve navigating active production lines, material handling routes, and industrial equipment, with appropriate adherence to plant safety protocols and standard industrial attire.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Warren, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Warren,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.