Industrial Engineer @ Actalent

Job Title: Launch Industrial EngineerJob DescriptionThis role focuses on leading the development and installation of direct and indirect labor standards and methods while preparing a high-volume automotive assembly plant for a major new vehicle program. You will work directly on the plant floor to optimize manpower utilization, balance production lines, and translate new product and manufacturing requirements into efficient, production-ready operations. The position offers the opportunity to drive process improvements, cost savings, and ergonomic enhancements during a significant period of change within the manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and install direct and indirect labor standards and methods to support efficient production operations.
• Track labor performance, monitor manpower utilization, and perform line balancing to ensure optimal staffing and throughput.
• Conduct job ergonomics evaluations to improve safety, comfort, and efficiency at workstations.
• Analyze process constraints and perform equipment cycle time analysis to identify and resolve bottlenecks in production.
• Recommend the most efficient distribution of manpower and review daily employee manpower allocation to align with production needs.
• Analyze plant methods and standards and recommend improvements to enhance productivity and quality.
• Prepare or direct the preparation of cost estimates for new or revised methods and standards.
• Review proposed changes in plant layout, processes, material handling, and routing to ensure they support efficient operations.
• Analyze production and non-production operations to identify those requiring study and develop new or improved methods and standards.
• Conduct time and motion studies and MODAPTS studies to establish accurate and efficient work standards.
• Review and evaluate employee proposals and suggestions related to methods, standards, and process improvements.
• Develop cycle line layouts for current and future models using AutoCAD and lead job methodization and process allocations.
• Coordinate engineering changes and planning activities to ensure smooth implementation on the plant floor.
• Conduct value stream mapping and process audits to identify waste and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop cost-saving project proposals and write project documentation as required.
• Interface with production supervision and union representatives to help settle job disputes related to methods and standards.
• Assist production teams in planning labor allocations for product mix changes and line speed adjustments.
• Serve as the Launch Lead for the Industrial Engineering team, taking ownership of priorities and driving IE-related launch activities.
• Work closely with core Industrial Engineering, Plant Engineering, Program Engineering, and production associates to identify issues, develop solutions, and resolve problems on the plant floor.
• Provide hands-on support in the manufacturing environment, spending significant time at workstations and on the line to address issues where they occur.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience as an Industrial Engineer resolving problems on the plant floor.
• Demonstrated experience applying line balancing activities and cycle time analysis in a production environment.
• Proven experience identifying and resolving bottlenecks in a production facility.
• Hands-on experience conducting time studies and time and motion analysis.
• Experience with workstation setup, capacity analysis, material flow optimization, and layout design.
• Ability to develop and install labor standards and methods for direct and indirect labor.
• Proficiency in developing cycle line layouts using AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate process constraints, equipment performance, and production operations.
• Ability to coordinate engineering changes and planning activities within a manufacturing environment.
• Capability to lead job methodization and process allocations for new and existing models.
• Comfort working independently, taking ownership of priorities, and driving Industrial Engineering activities without extensive day-to-day direction.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with production supervision, engineering teams, and plant associates.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for analysis, documentation, and reporting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering is preferred.
• 35 years of Industrial Engineering experience in a manufacturing or assembly plant environment is preferred.
• MODAPTS certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of GSPAS is preferred.
• Experience conducting value stream mapping and process audits.
• Experience preparing cost estimates for new or revised methods and standards.
• Familiarity with working in a cross-functional launch environment involving core IE, plant engineering, program engineering, and production teams.
• Experience interfacing with union-represented workforces to support job method and standard-related discussions.

Work EnvironmentThis position is based fully on-site in a large automotive assembly plant and operates on a first-shift schedule. The role is highly hands-on and plant-floor focused, requiring significant time spent in the production environment rather than at a desk. You will work directly within manufacturing areas as the plant prepares its people, processes, workstations, material flow, and production systems for a new vehicle program. The environment is cross-functional, with close collaboration alongside core Industrial Engineering, Plant Engineering, Program Engineering, and production associates.

Candidates should expect a minimum of approximately 5 hours of overtime per week during the pre-launch phase, increasing to approximately 10 hours per week as the program moves into active launch. The dress code is business casual, with appropriate personal protective equipment required when working in designated manufacturing areas. The role requires a high degree of independent leadership, ownership of priorities, and direct engagement on the plant floor to identify issues and implement solutions where the work is performed.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Flat Rock, MI.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $37.00 - $45.00/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)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Flat Rock,MI.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 [email protected] 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.