At least 2 years
This role focuses on planning and evaluating automation robots and expansion projects for paint department operations, including process and layout design, equipment specification, and standardization across North American manufacturing centers. The Planning Senior Engineer supports equipment planning for new vehicle projects, refurbishment initiatives, and equipment life cycle management, with a strong emphasis on improving lead times and ensuring consistent standards across plants.
Responsibilities- Evaluate equipment project proposals by assessing process capability, equipment performance, and overall feasibility.
- Develop strategies for North American equipment deployment, including standardization projects across multiple manufacturing centers.
- Lead the implementation of equipment deployment and standardization initiatives, ensuring alignment with plant and corporate objectives.
- Create clear presentations and reports to communicate project status, key performance indicators (KPIs), and recommendations to stakeholders.
- Become an expert in multiple paint shop technologies and systems, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve department and project goals.
- Develop standards and reference documents for new technologies, and improve specifications for equipment to ensure consistency and quality.
- Ensure equipment specifications meet CoHE compliance requirements and support cross-North America standardization.
- Lead the development of equipment specifications and related processes, including technical requirements and acceptance criteria.
- Support conveyor and paint-line projects by planning equipment, defining technical requirements, and coordinating implementation activities.
- Create and review technical documentation and inspection documentation for equipment and systems.
- Participate in on-site inspections and perform quality checks on equipment installations, robotics, and related systems.
- Identify project constraints, risks, and issues, and develop effective countermeasures to keep projects on schedule and within scope.
- Support manufacturing-focused requirements such as materials handling and integration of automation into existing processes.
- Collaborate with maintenance, production, and engineering teams to ensure equipment is designed and installed for long-term reliability and maintainability.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement and capital expenditure (capex) projects by applying engineering, process engineering, and manufacturing engineering principles.
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent experience in an engineering or technical role.
- Experience with CAD or similar modeling software for layout design and equipment planning.
- Experience with specification (spec) development for manufacturing or automation equipment.
- Experience creating A3 or similar documentation for equipment procurement and decision-making.
- Ability to identify project constraints and develop effective countermeasures to address them.
- At least 2 years of project management experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Strong skills in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and manufacturing process improvement.
- Experience with capital expenditure (capex) projects and related justification and planning.
- Knowledge of PLCs and troubleshooting (PLC experience and knowledge – nice to have but strongly valued).
- Experience with robotics, automation, and controls in a production environment.
- Proficiency in layout design and equipment specification using tools such as AutoCAD.
- Mechanical engineering or mechatronics background with experience in mechanical design.
- Proficiency with MS Office tools, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to communicate clearly through presentations and reports, including KPI tracking.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.
- Bilingual skills in English and Spanish and/or Japanese (nice to have).
- Conveyor system experience and knowledge, particularly in paint-line or materials handling applications.
- MSRC and/or Machine Risk Analysis experience.
- Experience with new model introduction processes in an automotive or manufacturing environment.
- Experience with paint shop equipment such as booths, ovens, abatement systems, air houses, and enclosures.
- Experience in equipment maintenance, including inspection and reliability-focused activities.
- Experience in automation and/or robot programming, including Kawasaki and FANUC robots.
- Experience with vision system evaluation, programming, and practical use cases in manufacturing.
- Experience with SEIBI activities or similar production preparation and optimization processes.
- Experience using SolidWorks or similar mechanical design software.
- background in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or related fields.
- Project management training or certifications (formal or informal) related to engineering projects.
- Familiarity with controls engineering concepts and integration of control systems with mechanical equipment.
The role supports the Equipment Planning Group for paint department operations and combines both office and shop-floor activities, with approximately 80% of the time spent in an office setting and 20% on the manufacturing floor. You will work extensively with tools such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and CAD/AutoCAD, and may also use SolidWorks and other modeling or design software. On the shop floor, you will be hands-on with equipment specifications, robotics, conveyors, and paint-line systems, participating in on-site inspections, quality checks, and equipment execution and verification. The environment emphasizes strong collaboration with cross-functional teams, including production, maintenance, and engineering, and offers exposure to advanced paint shop technologies, automation, and robotics. The organization supports flexible schedules and a healthy work/life balance, and provides long-term, stable contract opportunities with projects planned over a 5–10 year horizon. Team members benefit from paid time off, paid holidays, overtime compensation at time and a half for hours worked over 40, and coordinated travel arrangements for contractors. The culture values continuous learning, professional growth, and the opportunity to move into full-time roles, while maintaining strong support relationships through the vendor management program.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Georgetown, KY.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.00 - $65.00/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 TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Georgetown,KY.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 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.
Posting ID: JP-006176972