Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Industrial Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, concentrated in manufacturing, consumer products, and industrial equipment sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level roles to senior principal engineers. The busiest hiring metros are Chicago, Rockford, and Aurora, where established manufacturers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Illinois Tool Works have long maintained engineering teams. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois include product development, human factors engineering, and CAD-driven prototype design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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See related jobsClinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Associate Professor of Industrial Design (Non-Tenure Track)
School of Art & Design
College of Fine and Applied Arts
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
As part of a world-class research university, faculty in Industrial Design benefit from extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues across engineering, computer science, business, healthcare, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology initiatives. The successful candidate will join a collaborative community committed to advancing the future of industrial design through research, creative practice, education, and public engagement.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
The College of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA) is singular in the nation for its diversity, innovation and breadth. Its mission is dedicated to the advancement, practice, and understanding of the arts, and its central focus is the synergy between research and the preparation of students for professional careers in the creation and interpretation of the environmental, visual, and performing arts. Deeply related to that focus is the commitment to elevate and sustain the study of the arts as both a necessary mode of understanding and a vibrant expression of human experience within the local, national, and international communities.
The college comprises the Schools of Music , Architecture, and Art and Design; Departments of Dance, Landscape Architecture, Theatre, and Urban and Regional Planning; the Sustainable Design program; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Krannert Art Museum; and Japan House. This unique constellation of academic, research, and cultural institutions creates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the arts, design, technology, culture, and the built environment.
FAA employs more than 660 faculty and staff members, including more than 150 tenure- system faculty, and serves more than 1,850 undergraduate students and 635 graduate students enrolled across more than 30 majors and 10 minors. The College provides a vibrant environment for innovative teaching, scholarly inquiry, creative practice, and public engagement, making it an ideal setting for advancing the future of industrial design education, research, and professional practice.
About the School of Art & Design
The School of Art & Design, within the College of Fine and Applied Arts, is home to a diverse community of artists, designers, educators, historians, and researchers. The School supports creative practice, scholarly inquiry, and interdisciplinary collaboration across a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The Industrial Design Program has a long-standing reputation for excellence in design education and is recognized for preparing students to address human, technological, environmental, and societal challenges through design. The program emphasizes human- centered design, critical inquiry, design research, systems thinking, visualization, making, prototyping, sustainability, emerging technologies, and responsible innovation. Faculty and students explore how industrial design can generate new knowledge, create meaningful experiences, and contribute to positive social and economic impact.
About the Position
The School of Art & Design invites applications for clinical faculty positions in Industrial Design at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Areas of Professional Experience and Creative Practice
We seek candidates whose professional experience and creative practice are grounded in the core competencies of industrial design and demonstrate excellence in the development, implementation, and delivery of products, services, systems, and experiences. Candidates should possess significant industry experience and the ability to connect professional practice with innovative teaching and mentorship.
- Industrial and product design practice
- Product development and commercialization
- Color, Material, Finishing (CMF) practices
- Human-centered design and user experience
- Design strategy and innovation
- Design visualization, communication, and storytelling
- Materials, manufacturing, and production processes
- Digital fabrication, prototyping, and model making
- Emerging technologies and AI-enabled design workflows
- Design consulting, entrepreneurship, and business innovation
- Design leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration
Candidates should demonstrate professional impact through products, patents, consulting work, entrepreneurial ventures, design leadership, or other notable professional achievements.
Responsibilities
Faculty members will:
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Industrial Design
- Mentor and advise students
- Contribute to curriculum development and program advancement
- Participate in service activities within the program, School, College, University, and profession
- Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across campus and beyond
- Maintain active engagement with contemporary professional practice
- Strengthen industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities
- Advance professional practice education and career preparation initiatives
Qualifications Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, product design, or a closely related field
- Experience developing products / launching products
- Knowledge of manufacturing
- 3D CAD(SolidWorks) and 3D visualization (Keyshot)
- Visualization by both digital and hand sketching
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree, terminal degree, or equivalent professional credentials in Industrial Design or a closely related field
- Experience teaching in higher education
- Expertise in emerging technologies, sustainability, or innovation-driven design practice
- To be considered Clinical Associate Professor, international professional recognition
- To be considered Clinical Associate Professor, leadership experience in industry, consultancy, or professional organizations
- To be considered Clinical Associate Professor, experience developing partnerships with industry, community, or research organizations
Desired Candidate Profile
The strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in industrial design fundamentals, including human-centered design, design process, visualization, prototyping, communication, critical thinking, and innovation. They will contribute to a collaborative academic culture while advancing a distinguished professional practice and will help prepare students to become leaders in the evolving field of industrial design.
Application Materials
Required application materials include:
- Cover letter
Please describe your creative and teaching practices and how they could contribute to industrial design teaching and creative practice within the Industrial Design program.
Please discuss potential connections between your practice and research areas
Candidates may also use the cover letter to describe how their professional or educational background prepares them for either Clinical Assistant or Associate Professor rank.
- Curriculum vitae
- Teaching statement
- Design Philosophy Statement
- Portfolio of creative work
PDF or link to an online portfolio
Please identify your role in collaborative or professionally produced work when appropriate.
- Samples of syllabus, if available
- Samples of student work, if available
- Names and contact information for three references
Name, Title, Email, and Phone Numbers
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time, nine-month Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor appointment (paid over 12 months), with an initial one-year appointment that may be renewed subject to programmatic needs and available resources. The expected start date is August 16, 2027.
The salary range for the position is $65,000-$70,000 for Assistant Professor and $74,000-$82,000 for Associate Professor. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate’s experience and qualifications, and budget
constraints.
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00pm (Central Time) on December 15, 2026.
Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.
For further information about this specific position, please contact Bobbie Clegg at bjclegg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1039067
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
Clinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Associate Professor of Industrial Design (Non-Tenure Track)
School of Art & Design
College of Fine and Applied Arts
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
As part of a world-class research university, faculty in Industrial Design benefit from extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues across engineering, computer science, business, healthcare, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology initiatives. The successful candidate will join a collaborative community committed to advancing the future of industrial design through research, creative practice, education, and public engagement.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
The College of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA) is singular in the nation for its diversity, innovation and breadth. Its mission is dedicated to the advancement, practice, and understanding of the arts, and its central focus is the synergy between research and the preparation of students for professional careers in the creation and interpretation of the environmental, visual, and performing arts. Deeply related to that focus is the commitment to elevate and sustain the study of the arts as both a necessary mode of understanding and a vibrant expression of human experience within the local, national, and international communities.
The college comprises the Schools of Music , Architecture, and Art and Design; Departments of Dance, Landscape Architecture, Theatre, and Urban and Regional Planning; the Sustainable Design program; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Krannert Art Museum; and Japan House. This unique constellation of academic, research, and cultural institutions creates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the arts, design, technology, culture, and the built environment.
FAA employs more than 660 faculty and staff members, including more than 150 tenure- system faculty, and serves more than 1,850 undergraduate students and 635 graduate students enrolled across more than 30 majors and 10 minors. The College provides a vibrant environment for innovative teaching, scholarly inquiry, creative practice, and public engagement, making it an ideal setting for advancing the future of industrial design education, research, and professional practice.
About the School of Art & Design
The School of Art & Design, within the College of Fine and Applied Arts, is home to a diverse community of artists, designers, educators, historians, and researchers. The School supports creative practice, scholarly inquiry, and interdisciplinary collaboration across a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The Industrial Design Program has a long-standing reputation for excellence in design education and is recognized for preparing students to address human, technological, environmental, and societal challenges through design. The program emphasizes human- centered design, critical inquiry, design research, systems thinking, visualization, making, prototyping, sustainability, emerging technologies, and responsible innovation. Faculty and students explore how industrial design can generate new knowledge, create meaningful experiences, and contribute to positive social and economic impact.
About the Position
The School of Art & Design invites applications for clinical faculty positions in Industrial Design at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Areas of Professional Experience and Creative Practice
We seek candidates whose professional experience and creative practice are grounded in the core competencies of industrial design and demonstrate excellence in the development, implementation, and delivery of products, services, systems, and experiences. Candidates should possess significant industry experience and the ability to connect professional practice with innovative teaching and mentorship.
- Industrial and product design practice
- Product development and commercialization
- Color, Material, Finishing (CMF) practices
- Human-centered design and user experience
- Design strategy and innovation
- Design visualization, communication, and storytelling
- Materials, manufacturing, and production processes
- Digital fabrication, prototyping, and model making
- Emerging technologies and AI-enabled design workflows
- Design consulting, entrepreneurship, and business innovation
- Design leadership and multidisciplinary collaboration
Candidates should demonstrate professional impact through products, patents, consulting work, entrepreneurial ventures, design leadership, or other notable professional achievements.
Responsibilities
Faculty members will:
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Industrial Design
- Mentor and advise students
- Contribute to curriculum development and program advancement
- Participate in service activities within the program, School, College, University, and profession
- Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across campus and beyond
- Maintain active engagement with contemporary professional practice
- Strengthen industry partnerships and experiential learning opportunities
- Advance professional practice education and career preparation initiatives
Qualifications Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, product design, or a closely related field
- Experience developing products / launching products
- Knowledge of manufacturing
- 3D CAD(SolidWorks) and 3D visualization (Keyshot)
- Visualization by both digital and hand sketching
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree, terminal degree, or equivalent professional credentials in Industrial Design or a closely related field
- Experience teaching in higher education
- Expertise in emerging technologies, sustainability, or innovation-driven design practice
- To be considered Clinical Associate Professor, international professional recognition
- To be considered Clinical Associate Professor, leadership experience in industry, consultancy, or professional organizations
- To be considered Clinical Associate Professor, experience developing partnerships with industry, community, or research organizations
Desired Candidate Profile
The strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in industrial design fundamentals, including human-centered design, design process, visualization, prototyping, communication, critical thinking, and innovation. They will contribute to a collaborative academic culture while advancing a distinguished professional practice and will help prepare students to become leaders in the evolving field of industrial design.
Application Materials
Required application materials include:
- Cover letter
Please describe your creative and teaching practices and how they could contribute to industrial design teaching and creative practice within the Industrial Design program.
Please discuss potential connections between your practice and research areas
Candidates may also use the cover letter to describe how their professional or educational background prepares them for either Clinical Assistant or Associate Professor rank.
- Curriculum vitae
- Teaching statement
- Design Philosophy Statement
- Portfolio of creative work
PDF or link to an online portfolio
Please identify your role in collaborative or professionally produced work when appropriate.
- Samples of syllabus, if available
- Samples of student work, if available
- Names and contact information for three references
Name, Title, Email, and Phone Numbers
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time, nine-month Clinical Assistant/Associate Professor appointment (paid over 12 months), with an initial one-year appointment that may be renewed subject to programmatic needs and available resources. The expected start date is August 16, 2027.
The salary range for the position is $65,000-$70,000 for Assistant Professor and $74,000-$82,000 for Associate Professor. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate’s experience and qualifications, and budget
constraints.
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00pm (Central Time) on December 15, 2026.
Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.
For further information about this specific position, please contact Bobbie Clegg at bjclegg@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1039067
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
See All 5 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsIndustrial Design Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Design Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial design engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo
- Experience with product development cycles from concept through manufacturing handoff
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacturability principles
- Strong portfolio demonstrating completed product or industrial design projects
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, marketing, and production
Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a industrial design engineer in Illinois?
Industrial design engineering in Illinois does not require a state-issued license for most private-sector roles, but employers consistently expect a bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or product design from an accredited program. Graduates who pursue roles touching structural or public-safety systems may need a Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Building a strong portfolio of completed design projects is the most direct path to landing interviews with Illinois manufacturers.
How much do industrial design engineers make in Illinois?
Industrial design engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $100,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,780 for the lowest 10% to over $155,650 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire industrial design engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring industrial design engineers in Illinois right now include Gotion, University of Illinois, and Shure, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base, anchored by large industrial and consumer-goods companies in the Chicago metro and Rockford corridor, keeps demand for this role consistent throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most industrial design engineer jobs?
Urbana, Manteno, and Niles have the most industrial design engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share because it concentrates corporate headquarters, consumer-products companies, and design consultancies, while Rockford and Aurora draw openings from the region's heavy manufacturing and precision equipment employers that maintain dedicated in-house product development teams.
Are there remote industrial design engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since industrial design engineering frequently involves physical prototyping, lab work, and collaboration with production teams. About 33% of industrial design engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements more typical for early-stage concept work, CAD modeling, and client-facing design review than for hands-on prototype or manufacturing-floor phases.
How can I get hired as a industrial design engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an internship or co-op completed during your degree program, since Illinois manufacturers such as Illinois Tool Works and Caterpillar run structured intern pipelines that frequently convert to full-time offers. Candidates coming from adjacent roles like mechanical design drafting or product technician work can also transition in by emphasizing CAD skills and any portfolio pieces they have built independently. A clean portfolio, even of academic or personal projects, consistently outweighs an entry candidate's work history in Illinois hiring decisions.
Where can I find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to each position that fits.
See All 5 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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