Production Engineer

Job Title: Production EngineerJob Description Join a leading forklift manufacturing facility, responsible for producing custom forklifts ranging from 1 ton to 8 tons. This OEM plant completes the entire assembly process, manufacturing an average of 100 forklifts per day. We have two openings in the Paint department and the Material Handling/Assembly department, both sharing the same responsibilities. Responsibilities + Lead investigations of new equipment to enhance productivity through technological advancements. + Project leader in planning, procuring, integrating, and installing production equipment in Assembly areas. + Drive technical improvements, including implementing automatic guided vehicles, controlled torque tools, automated conveyors, and fail-safe devices. + Identify continuous improvement activities to enhance safety and quality in manufacturing. + Engage with stakeholders to increase operational productivity and deliver best value to customers. + Support initiatives to reduce environmental impact and support community engagement. + Investigate and eliminate downtime within assigned areas. + Develop a vision for new technology and automation to increase productivity and capacity. + Facilitate lean manufacturing practices to improve material flow, inventory levels, and safety. + Strive to become the technical expert in assigned areas and proactively address issues. + Interact with equipment suppliers and vendors to maintain project timelines. + Perform other related duties as assigned. Essential Skills + Bachelor's degree in Engineering. + 2+ years of relevant experience in an industrial manufacturing setting. + Experience in managing capital projects, including scheduling, contractor management, installation, troubleshooting, and run-offs. + Experience in tooling/fixture design for manufacturing. + Mechanical aptitude. Additional Skills & Qualifications + Familiarity with PLCs and automated equipment is a plus. Work Environment Candidates will divide their time between floor and office support. Core hours are from 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Overtime is paid during the contract period but not once converted to a full-time position. Upon conversion, employees receive comp time equivalent to PTO for non-production days, with the ability to roll over 40 hours and receive payout for remaining balance. Benefits include virtually free gym access, a new engineering center, and numerous advancement opportunities. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, IN. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $36.06 - $48.08/hr. 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 Columbus,IN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Dec 9, 2025. 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. 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 due to a disability, please email [email protected] (%[email protected]) for other accommodation options.