Industrial Designer Jobs in Illinois

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing / Station Design Engineer to design, optimize, and implement high-efficiency workstations for our assembly operations. In this role, you will own the physical footprint of the line—developing 2D and 3D layouts, specifying critical tooling and fixtures, and ensuring every station is engineered for peak ergonomics, safety, and productivity. You will work closely with cross-functional launch teams to turn engineering concepts into functional, waste-free manufacturing realities.

Key Responsibilities

Layout Design & Physical Integration

• 2D & 3D Station Layouts: Develop and maintain detailed 2D and 3D workstation layouts using AutoCAD, ensuring alignment with overall production flow and plant constraints.
• Tooling & Equipment Integration: Ensure the integration of tooling, fixtures, and equipment within each station perfectly aligns with the broader line layout and material flow strategy.
• Field Validation: Perform hands-on field checks to guarantee layout accuracy on the plant floor and proactively resolve any mechanical or spatial interference issues.

Process, Ergonomics & Quality Engineering

• Tooling & Fixture Specification: Specify fixtures, jigs, tooling, and assembly aids that optimize product quality, operator ergonomics, and general manufacturability.
• Launch Collaboration: Partner closely with Launch Industrial Engineers to balance line workloads and validate that station cycle times meet target takt times.
• Validation & Documentation: Participate in pilot builds and process validation to verify layout accuracy. Support ongoing updates to PFMEA documentation, work instructions, and layout revisions.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead or support continuous improvement (Kaizen) initiatives focused on ergonomics, floor space utilization, and waste reduction using Lean principles.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience), or a degree in Manufacturing Technology.
• Experience: 3–5 years of proven experience in automotive, heavy equipment, or high-volume manufacturing environments. Direct experience supporting vehicle assembly line design or new model launch programs is highly preferred.

Technical Skills & Tools

• CAD Proficiency: Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD for creating detailed industrial layouts.
• Engineering Core: Strong understanding of PFMEA, DFMEA, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Modern Manufacturing: Solid understanding of automation, robotics, or material handling systems used in modern, high-volume assembly operations.

Methodologies & Soft Skills

• Robust working knowledge of station design, ergonomics, lean manufacturing, and tooling integration.
• Familiarity with standardized work practices and waste-reduction methodologies.
• Project & Team Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced launch environment. Strong communication skills for seamless collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams.