Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Mechanical design engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand from entry-level drafters through senior design leads across manufacturing, industrial equipment, agricultural machinery, and defense sectors. The heaviest hiring concentrates in the Chicago metro, Rockford, and the Peoria corridor, where established employers like Caterpillar, Deere and Company, and Abbott have long maintained significant engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties include precision machining design, CAD-driven product development, and systems integration for industrial automation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 40+ Mechanical Design Engineer jobs
About Us:
Logisnext Americas Inc. has supported customers for more than 100 years as a technology-driven forklift manufacturer. In addition to being a forklift manufacturer, we are also a total solutions provider offering scalable products and services from material handling and automation to extensive fleet support.
About the role:
The Senior Engineering Design Leader (Mechanical) serves as a technical leader and SME within the CSM department, driving the development and execution of complex customer-specific solutions. This role translates customer requirements into safe, reliable, and manufacturable designs while ensuring compliance with company and industry standards. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the position provides technical leadership across design development, problem resolution, and cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, sales, service, purchasing, and suppliers. The role also strengthens organizational capability through mentoring, technical guidance, and continuous improvement initiatives that support customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and business growth.
What you will do:
Lead development of design:
Lead and guide design activity on products and systems to meet Product spec, in compliance with internal and external spec (ISO, UL, CEN, etc). Review configurations of truck orders and confirm the compatibility of the customization design request with the rest of the systems on the truck.Problem solving:
Troubleshoot assembly issues, advising service about field issues and sales about engineering questions. Monitor the ESR (Engineering Support Request) system to ensure problems are addressed in a timely manner with open lines of communication to our internal stakeholders.Engineering Documentation:
Release documentation including Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings (piece part, sub-assembly and assemblies), and engineering orders (EO). Provide detailed explanations and installation instructions to manufacturing engineering to support the production of custom designs.Talent Development:
Contribute to training new engineers in LNA standards, procedures and systems. Mentor and develop other engineers on the team to support their growth and expand their knowledge base.Project Communication:
Provide answers on the design to purchasing and suppliers, coordination of pilot builds with scheduling and manufacturing, and supporting sales engineering inquiries on feasibility of customized design solutions for quoting to dealers and national accounts customers.
When & Where:
Hybrid Work Schedule in office 3 days a week
What you need to have:
- Must be flexible and adaptive to changing priorities, plus multiple task and results oriented. Advanced 3D CAD (Creo prefered)
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred)
- Advanced Computer skills: MS Office (Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook), BPCS, SAP.
- Hands-on approach and mechanical aptitude to install components
- Advanced Mechanical and hydraulic knowledge with basic of electrical.
- Experience working with consultants and suppliers for component development
- Excellent people skills – team player, communicator both verbally and in writing
- Advanced Experience In: Testing Methodology / Heat Transfer / LNA/LN Drawing Standards / LNA/LN DRBFM Process / LNA/LN BOM System /
- LNA/LN Forklift design and performance standards
What would be nice to have:
- Forklift Truck Operators license (OSHA approved)
- Professional Engineering License or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate
- Working knowledge of ASTM, SAE, CEN and UL standards
- Working knowledge of ITA and ITSDF Recommended Practices
- Worked on LNA, competitive or industry related IC or Electric industrial vehicles
What we offer:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Paid Holidays
- Profit Sharing Opportunities
- Flexible Spending and HSA Accounts
- 401k with automatic company contribution and company match
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Life, Dependent Life, and AD&D Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave (Includes 6-8 weeks of maternity leave and 5 days of paternity leave)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Discounts
- On-site fitness center (Houston)
- On-the-job training and development
. The specific salary for a successful candidate will depend upon, among other legitimate factors, education, training, and/or experience.
To be considered for this role, all applicants must submit a full and complete application through our careers page.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Agency Disclaimer:
Logisnext Americas Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party vendors. Any unsolicited resumes from a third party will become the property of the company to use at the company’s discretion, with the understanding that Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, Inc. will not be billed a fee for any such resumes. If a company is designated as an approved vendor, then said company can only provide assistance on those positions requested via a formal written agreement of support.
About Us:
Logisnext Americas Inc. has supported customers for more than 100 years as a technology-driven forklift manufacturer. In addition to being a forklift manufacturer, we are also a total solutions provider offering scalable products and services from material handling and automation to extensive fleet support.
About the role:
The Senior Engineering Design Leader (Mechanical) serves as a technical leader and SME within the CSM department, driving the development and execution of complex customer-specific solutions. This role translates customer requirements into safe, reliable, and manufacturable designs while ensuring compliance with company and industry standards. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the position provides technical leadership across design development, problem resolution, and cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing, sales, service, purchasing, and suppliers. The role also strengthens organizational capability through mentoring, technical guidance, and continuous improvement initiatives that support customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and business growth.
What you will do:
Lead development of design:
Lead and guide design activity on products and systems to meet Product spec, in compliance with internal and external spec (ISO, UL, CEN, etc). Review configurations of truck orders and confirm the compatibility of the customization design request with the rest of the systems on the truck.Problem solving:
Troubleshoot assembly issues, advising service about field issues and sales about engineering questions. Monitor the ESR (Engineering Support Request) system to ensure problems are addressed in a timely manner with open lines of communication to our internal stakeholders.Engineering Documentation:
Release documentation including Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings (piece part, sub-assembly and assemblies), and engineering orders (EO). Provide detailed explanations and installation instructions to manufacturing engineering to support the production of custom designs.Talent Development:
Contribute to training new engineers in LNA standards, procedures and systems. Mentor and develop other engineers on the team to support their growth and expand their knowledge base.Project Communication:
Provide answers on the design to purchasing and suppliers, coordination of pilot builds with scheduling and manufacturing, and supporting sales engineering inquiries on feasibility of customized design solutions for quoting to dealers and national accounts customers.
When & Where:
Hybrid Work Schedule in office 3 days a week
What you need to have:
- Must be flexible and adaptive to changing priorities, plus multiple task and results oriented. Advanced 3D CAD (Creo prefered)
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred)
- Advanced Computer skills: MS Office (Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook), BPCS, SAP.
- Hands-on approach and mechanical aptitude to install components
- Advanced Mechanical and hydraulic knowledge with basic of electrical.
- Experience working with consultants and suppliers for component development
- Excellent people skills – team player, communicator both verbally and in writing
- Advanced Experience In: Testing Methodology / Heat Transfer / LNA/LN Drawing Standards / LNA/LN DRBFM Process / LNA/LN BOM System /
- LNA/LN Forklift design and performance standards
What would be nice to have:
- Forklift Truck Operators license (OSHA approved)
- Professional Engineering License or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate
- Working knowledge of ASTM, SAE, CEN and UL standards
- Working knowledge of ITA and ITSDF Recommended Practices
- Worked on LNA, competitive or industry related IC or Electric industrial vehicles
What we offer:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Paid Holidays
- Profit Sharing Opportunities
- Flexible Spending and HSA Accounts
- 401k with automatic company contribution and company match
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Life, Dependent Life, and AD&D Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave (Includes 6-8 weeks of maternity leave and 5 days of paternity leave)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Discounts
- On-site fitness center (Houston)
- On-the-job training and development
. The specific salary for a successful candidate will depend upon, among other legitimate factors, education, training, and/or experience.
To be considered for this role, all applicants must submit a full and complete application through our careers page.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Agency Disclaimer:
Logisnext Americas Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party vendors. Any unsolicited resumes from a third party will become the property of the company to use at the company’s discretion, with the understanding that Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, Inc. will not be billed a fee for any such resumes. If a company is designated as an approved vendor, then said company can only provide assistance on those positions requested via a formal written agreement of support.
See All 40 Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMechanical Design Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Design Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical design engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA for design work
- Experience with GD&T principles and engineering drawing standards for manufacturing
- Familiarity with FEA tools and simulation software for structural and thermal analysis
- Knowledge of Illinois manufacturing environments including tolerancing and materials selection
- Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional teams in product development cycles
Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical design engineer in Illinois?
The standard path begins with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited program. Illinois does not require mechanical design engineers in private industry to hold a Professional Engineer license, but earning a PE license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation strengthens advancement prospects, particularly for roles involving public safety or consulting. Most Illinois employers expect CAD proficiency and relevant internship or co-op experience before hiring at the full design engineer level.
How much do mechanical design engineers make in Illinois?
Mechanical design engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $102,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $72,150 for the lowest 10% to over $160,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical design engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring mechanical design engineers in Illinois right now include Generac Power Systems, Collins Aerospace, and INTEGRIS Engineering, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base, particularly in heavy equipment, medical devices, and industrial automation, means hiring activity tends to be steady across both large corporations and mid-size suppliers throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most mechanical design engineer jobs?
Chicago, East Peoria, and Decatur have the most mechanical design engineer openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro drives the largest share through its concentration of manufacturing headquarters, medical device firms, and defense contractors, while Rockford's long-standing precision machining industry and Peoria's ties to Caterpillar's global equipment operations sustain consistent demand in those markets as well.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Mechanical design engineering is heavily hands-on, with most roles requiring access to labs, shop floors, prototypes, or CAD workstations tied to secure networks. About 38% of mechanical design engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically cover design review, documentation, or CAD modeling tasks that don't require physical presence.
How can I get hired as a mechanical design engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an engineering co-op or internship completed before graduation, since major Illinois employers like Caterpillar, Deere and Company, and Baxter International run structured programs that regularly convert participants to full-time roles. New graduates without internship experience often enter through manufacturing engineer associate or design technician positions, using that exposure to move into design roles within one to two years. A strong SolidWorks or AutoCAD portfolio and an EIT designation from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation improve competitiveness considerably.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical design engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to mechanical design engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, location preference, and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 40 Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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