Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in automotive, aerospace, food and beverage processing, and heavy industrial manufacturing, with openings at every level from entry-level process technician roles through senior and principal engineers. The busiest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria, where established employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Boeing have long-running engineering operations. Process improvement, lean manufacturing, and quality systems are the specialties Illinois employers request most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 18+ Manufacturing Process Engineer jobs
Position Summary
Responsible for optimizing high-speed converting processes and providing technical support to customers manufacturing disposable hygiene products, including diapers. This role involves traveling to customer facilities to troubleshoot cutting performance issues associated with tungsten carbide rotary die stations, identify root causes, improve product quality, and maximize production efficiency and tooling performance.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Include, but not exclusive to the following. Other duties may be assigned:
- Travel to customer manufacturing facilities to troubleshoot cutting issues on high-speed diaper converting lines equipped with tungsten carbide rotary die stations.
- Diagnose cutting defects, including incomplete cuts, hanging chads, fiber pullout, material tearing, and inconsistent cut quality.
- Inspect rotary dies, cutting edges, mating rolls, and related tooling components to identify wear, alignment issues, runout, and other potential causes of cutting problems.
- Evaluate process parameters, including line speed, web tension, nip pressure, material characteristics, and machine setup, to improve cutting performance.
- Collaborate with customer engineering, maintenance, production, and quality teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Conduct onsite trials and validate process adjustments to achieve consistent cutting quality at production speeds.
- Recommend process improvements to reduce downtime, minimize scrap, extend tooling life, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Document troubleshooting activities, technical findings, corrective actions, and customer recommendations.
- Provide technical guidance and training to customers on rotary tooling operation, maintenance, and process optimization.
- Work with internal engineering, tooling, and manufacturing teams to communicate customer feedback and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Follow all applicable machine-safety procedures when inspecting or troubleshooting converting equipment.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Experience with high-speed converting equipment and disposable hygiene product manufacturing preferred.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude and mechanical acumen, with the ability to diagnose equipment and process-related issues in high-speed manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of tungsten carbide rotary dies, precision cutting tools, and rotary die-cutting processes preferred.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of web handling, material properties, machine setup, and process optimization.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively to customers and cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel to customer sites as required, up to 50%. Travel could be domestic and global.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree (B.A) from four-year college or university in engineering preferred.
- Three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for bachelors degree.
Maxcess is an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability, age, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Position Summary
Responsible for optimizing high-speed converting processes and providing technical support to customers manufacturing disposable hygiene products, including diapers. This role involves traveling to customer facilities to troubleshoot cutting performance issues associated with tungsten carbide rotary die stations, identify root causes, improve product quality, and maximize production efficiency and tooling performance.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Include, but not exclusive to the following. Other duties may be assigned:
- Travel to customer manufacturing facilities to troubleshoot cutting issues on high-speed diaper converting lines equipped with tungsten carbide rotary die stations.
- Diagnose cutting defects, including incomplete cuts, hanging chads, fiber pullout, material tearing, and inconsistent cut quality.
- Inspect rotary dies, cutting edges, mating rolls, and related tooling components to identify wear, alignment issues, runout, and other potential causes of cutting problems.
- Evaluate process parameters, including line speed, web tension, nip pressure, material characteristics, and machine setup, to improve cutting performance.
- Collaborate with customer engineering, maintenance, production, and quality teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Conduct onsite trials and validate process adjustments to achieve consistent cutting quality at production speeds.
- Recommend process improvements to reduce downtime, minimize scrap, extend tooling life, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Document troubleshooting activities, technical findings, corrective actions, and customer recommendations.
- Provide technical guidance and training to customers on rotary tooling operation, maintenance, and process optimization.
- Work with internal engineering, tooling, and manufacturing teams to communicate customer feedback and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Follow all applicable machine-safety procedures when inspecting or troubleshooting converting equipment.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Experience with high-speed converting equipment and disposable hygiene product manufacturing preferred.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude and mechanical acumen, with the ability to diagnose equipment and process-related issues in high-speed manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of tungsten carbide rotary dies, precision cutting tools, and rotary die-cutting processes preferred.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of web handling, material properties, machine setup, and process optimization.
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively to customers and cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel to customer sites as required, up to 50%. Travel could be domestic and global.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor's degree (B.A) from four-year college or university in engineering preferred.
- Three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for bachelors degree.
Maxcess is an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability, age, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
See All 18 Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsManufacturing Process Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Process Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing process engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited program
- Hands-on experience applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or kaizen methodologies in a production environment
- Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks for process documentation and tooling design
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T specifications, and process flow diagrams
- Experience conducting root cause analysis and leading corrective action on production quality issues
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100 quality management standards relevant to Illinois industry sectors
Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing process engineer in Illinois?
Most manufacturing process engineers in Illinois enter the field with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited university such as the University of Illinois, Illinois Institute of Technology, or Purdue's regional campuses. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role in most manufacturing settings, though engineers who sign off on public safety designs may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Employers also value Six Sigma and lean certifications.
How much do manufacturing process engineers make in Illinois?
Manufacturing process 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 manufacturing process engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring manufacturing process engineers in Illinois right now include Flextron Circuit Assembly, ITW, and Abbott, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of automotive suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, and food processing companies means demand is distributed across both the Chicago metro and mid-state industrial corridors around Peoria and Rockford.
Which Illinois cities have the most manufacturing process engineer jobs?
Chicago, Wood Dale, and Illinois account for the largest share of manufacturing process engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago's dense base of diversified manufacturers and corporate engineering centers drives the highest volume, while Peoria's concentration of heavy equipment production anchored by Caterpillar and Rockford's strong aerospace and precision machining clusters sustain consistent demand outside the metro.
Are there remote manufacturing process engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing process engineering is a hands-on, plant-floor role, so most positions require on-site presence to observe production, troubleshoot equipment, and work with operators directly. About 67% of manufacturing process engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be process documentation, standards development, or multi-site coordination roles rather than day-to-day production support.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing process engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a process technician, manufacturing engineer in training, or quality engineer role at a large Illinois employer with structured rotational programs, such as those Caterpillar, Abbott, or Illinois Tool Works run for recent graduates. Community colleges like Moraine Valley and Rock Valley offer manufacturing technology certificates that give candidates a practical edge. Internships arranged through Illinois universities and co-op programs are the most direct route to a full-time offer in this field.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing process engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to manufacturing process engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and target location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 18 Manufacturing Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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