Industrial Designer Jobs in Illinois
Industrial Designer jobs in Illinois are active and concentrated in consumer products, transportation equipment, furniture, and packaging design, with openings available from entry-level to senior and principal roles. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most competitive hiring metros in the Midwest, while Rockford and the broader Chicagoland suburbs also draw demand, particularly in manufacturing-linked design. Firms with a lasting Illinois presence that hire industrial designers include Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions, and Steelcase's regional clients and partners. The most consistent openings are in product development, user experience design, and manufacturing-integrated design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Designer 1 independently develops mechanical physical design deliverables and coordinates with multidisciplinary teams to produce integrated 3D layouts and related mechanical design documents for Oil & Gas and Power projects.
- Develop mechanical physical layout drawings in a 3D model environment as part of integrated engineering and design project teams.
- Perform challenging design assignments involving mechanical systems and resolve a wide variety of mechanical design issues through investigation and troubleshooting.
- Use 3D modeling tools to generate mechanical design schematics and support coordination of all phases of the mechanical design model.
- Plan and execute detailed mechanical design deliverables, including general arrangements, piping isometrics, piping composites, pipe support drawings, and equipment location drawings.
- Review mechanical equipment outlines and interface points and coordinate the associated design deliverables with engineering and other disciplines.
- Support junior drafters and designers through day-to-day guidance and mentoring in drafting tools and design development practices.
- Participate in or support field walkdowns and client site data gathering when required.
Essential skills and experience:
- Associate degree in drafting, or a high school diploma with drafting coursework or equivalent technical experience.
- Four or more years of detailed physical design experience in mechanical general arrangements, piping systems, and support design.
- Proficiency with 3D plant layout tools, including platforms such as CADWorx Plant, CADWorx PID, AutoCAD Plant 3D, or similar systems.
- Ability to interface effectively with engineering and design teams from other disciplines in an integrated plant design environment.
Valued but not required experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology or a related discipline.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, CADWorx, MicroStation, or similar design platforms used for plant layout and drafting.
- Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, site visits, and field data gathering.
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
The Designer 1 independently develops mechanical physical design deliverables and coordinates with multidisciplinary teams to produce integrated 3D layouts and related mechanical design documents for Oil & Gas and Power projects.
- Develop mechanical physical layout drawings in a 3D model environment as part of integrated engineering and design project teams.
- Perform challenging design assignments involving mechanical systems and resolve a wide variety of mechanical design issues through investigation and troubleshooting.
- Use 3D modeling tools to generate mechanical design schematics and support coordination of all phases of the mechanical design model.
- Plan and execute detailed mechanical design deliverables, including general arrangements, piping isometrics, piping composites, pipe support drawings, and equipment location drawings.
- Review mechanical equipment outlines and interface points and coordinate the associated design deliverables with engineering and other disciplines.
- Support junior drafters and designers through day-to-day guidance and mentoring in drafting tools and design development practices.
- Participate in or support field walkdowns and client site data gathering when required.
Essential skills and experience:
- Associate degree in drafting, or a high school diploma with drafting coursework or equivalent technical experience.
- Four or more years of detailed physical design experience in mechanical general arrangements, piping systems, and support design.
- Proficiency with 3D plant layout tools, including platforms such as CADWorx Plant, CADWorx PID, AutoCAD Plant 3D, or similar systems.
- Ability to interface effectively with engineering and design teams from other disciplines in an integrated plant design environment.
Valued but not required experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology or a related discipline.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, CADWorx, MicroStation, or similar design platforms used for plant layout and drafting.
- Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, site visits, and field data gathering.
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 11 Industrial Designer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Industrial Designer JobsIndustrial Designer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Designer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial designer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, product design, or a closely related field required
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, or CATIA expected
- Portfolio demonstrating completed product or design concepts from concept through production
- Experience collaborating with engineering and manufacturing teams on production-ready designs
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacturability principles
- Strong visual communication skills including sketching, rendering, and presentation to stakeholders
Industrial Designer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an industrial designer in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to practice as an industrial designer. The standard path is a bachelor's degree in industrial design or product design from an accredited program, followed by building a portfolio that demonstrates work from concept through production. Illinois employers, particularly those in manufacturing and consumer goods, place significant weight on internship experience and proficiency with CAD and prototyping tools when evaluating candidates at all levels.
Which companies hire industrial designers in Illinois?
Employers hiring industrial designers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, Spectrum Brands, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base, combined with its concentration of consumer goods and transportation equipment companies in the Chicago metro and Rockford corridor, supports consistent demand across company sizes and design specialties.
Which Illinois cities have the most industrial designer jobs?
Chicago have the most industrial designer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of demand, anchored by its concentration of consumer products companies, design consultancies, and large corporate headquarters, while Rockford's manufacturing sector generates openings tied to product and equipment design for industrial clients.
Are there remote industrial designer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely digital fields, since industrial design typically involves physical prototyping, hands-on model reviews, and close collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams. About 91% of industrial designer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements most likely for roles focused on concept development, CAD modeling, or early-stage design research rather than production-phase or lab-based work.
How can I get hired as an industrial designer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a strong portfolio from academic or personal projects, submitted alongside applications to junior designer or design associate roles at Illinois-based manufacturers and product companies. Large Illinois employers in consumer goods and industrial equipment occasionally run internship-to-hire pipelines for recent graduates. Adjacent roles such as CAD drafter, model maker, or product development coordinator at Illinois manufacturing firms are also common stepping stones, and candidates who add SolidWorks certification or equivalent credentialing improve their competitiveness significantly.
Where can I find and apply to industrial designer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to industrial designer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find a role that fits your experience and specialization and apply directly.
See All 11 Industrial Designer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Industrial Designer Jobs