Mechanical Designer Jobs in Illinois
Mechanical designer jobs in Illinois are active and consistent, with steady demand across manufacturing, industrial equipment, and infrastructure sectors at levels from entry-level drafters through senior design engineers. The busiest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities corridor, where established employers like Caterpillar, Illinois Tool Works, and Deere and Company maintain engineering and product development operations. The most in-demand specialties are precision machining design, HVAC and building systems, and sheet metal fabrication. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Stantec’s Buildings team is on a mission to become the world’s leading integrated design practice. Our architects, engineers, interior designers, consultants, sustainability specialists, and technologists are passionate about the power of design. Our collaborative culture and our innovative, sustainable approach to projects help us create buildings that matter to our world.
Together, we are enhancing the quality of life globally through design.
Join us and design your place with Stantec.
Your Opportunity
The Designer will launch his or her career as a Designer in one of the technical teams. This role prepares project deliverables that accord with company standards and performs basic technical tasks.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Works with a team of technical staff to develop project deliverables ranging from design documents to technical reports.
- Applies knowledge of basic engineering concepts, principles, practices, and procedures for structural design, analysis, and investigation.
- Coordinates tasks with other teams across the firm and outside sources.
- Assists project engineer with more advanced technical activities.
- Uses appropriate technology and software (i.e. REVIT and CAD among others) to prepare project deliverables and production tasks assigned by senior project engineer or project manager.
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Experience with applicable software (i.e. REVIT and CAD among others) within your own discipline.
- Aptitude and drive to analyze complex problems and convey solutions in a clear and concise manner.
- Strong organizational skills with ability to effectively shift attention between multiple projects.
- Experience and desire to work in an entrepreneurial and innovative environment.
- Possesses basic knowledge of engineering practices within own discipline.
Education and Experience
- Accredited engineering degree or equivalent education and experience required.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
About Stantec
Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.
Pay Range:
- Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, CT, NJ, VA Areas-$76,800.00 - $107,500.00 Annually
Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | IL | Chicago
Organization: 2401 Buildings-US North Central Engineering-Chicago IL
Employee Status: Regular
Management Level: Individual contributor
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 29/10/2026 02:10:54
Req ID: 1008593
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
See All 27 Mechanical Designer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Designer JobsMechanical Designer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Designer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical designer jobs across Illinois.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo
- Associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology or a related field
- Experience creating detailed engineering drawings and GD&T documentation
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, welding, and sheet metal fabrication
- Ability to collaborate with engineers and production teams throughout the design lifecycle
- Familiarity with product lifecycle management software and revision control systems
Mechanical Designer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical designer in Illinois?
Most mechanical designers in Illinois start with an associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology, drafting and design, or a closely related field from an Illinois community college or four-year university. The role does not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently favor candidates with demonstrated CAD proficiency and a portfolio of technical drawings. Certifications from organizations like the American Design Drafting Association can strengthen an application with larger Illinois manufacturers.
Which companies hire mechanical designers in Illinois?
Employers hiring mechanical designers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, Prairie Engineers, P.C., and Ghafari, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of heavy manufacturing, industrial equipment, and defense contractors means hiring activity tends to be particularly consistent in the Chicago suburbs and the Rockford and Peoria corridors.
Which Illinois cities have the most mechanical designer jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Lisle are the Illinois cities with the most mechanical designer openings. Chicago and its suburbs anchor demand through a dense base of manufacturing headquarters, engineering firms, and industrial suppliers, while Rockford and Peoria generate steady openings tied to long-established heavy equipment and aerospace manufacturing operations in those regions.
Are there remote mechanical designer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 69% of mechanical designer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on coordination the role typically requires with manufacturing floors and engineering teams. The tasks most commonly done remotely are CAD modeling and drawing revisions, while prototype reviews, tooling walkthroughs, and production support almost always require an on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a mechanical designer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op through an Illinois community college or engineering technology program, many of which maintain placement relationships with regional manufacturers in the Chicago metro, Rockford, and the Quad Cities. Caterpillar and Illinois Tool Works both run structured internship pipelines that regularly convert to full-time roles. Candidates without direct experience can also move laterally from drafting technician or CAD operator positions, and a strong portfolio of student or personal projects showing clean technical drawings goes further with Illinois hiring managers than a credential alone.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical designer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to mechanical designer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly.
See All 27 Mechanical Designer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Designer Jobs