Product Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Product Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with demand concentrated in advanced manufacturing, medical devices, and consumer electronics across seniority levels from entry-level to principal engineer. Chicago, Rockford, and the North Shore suburbs anchor most of the hiring, where established employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Motorola Solutions maintain significant engineering footprints. The most sought-after specializations in Illinois include CAD-driven mechanical design, design for manufacturability, and new product introduction within regulated industries. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Product Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Product Design Engineer jobs
About the Role:
We have a current opening for a FSQ Product Design NAM and are actively reviewing applications.
The Food Safety & Quality Product Design (FSQPD) manager is responsible for defining and governing product Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) specifications across product categories in North America. It establishes consistent rules, methodologies, and performance standards to ensure product compliance, food safety, and quality excellence throughout the full value chain.
This role plays a critical link between Food Safety & Quality sister functions, R&D, and Global Brand teams—supporting innovation, product development, and continuous improvement. The FSQPD manager helps ensure FSQ requirements are embedded from concept through launch while driving performance monitoring and continuous improvement initiatives.
Main Responsibilities:
- Define and maintain Food Safety & Quality product specifications, guidelines, and methodologies across product categories
- Ensure consistency and standardization of FSQ rules (e.g., shelf-life, sensorial evaluation, compliance criteria)
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives based on plant feedback, inspections, and consumer insights, non-conformance and out-of-specification data
- Collaborate with R&D, Product Groups, and cross-functional teams to embed FSQ requirements into new product development and product modifications
- Support product innovation by identifying FSQ risks and ensuring mitigation strategies during development and industrial trials
- Monitor and analyze FSQ product performance through KPIs and dashboards; provide insights and recommendations
- Support and contribute to management of non-conformities, incidents, and specification deviations
- Provide FSQ expertise and guidance for decision-making
- Ensure alignment with Global FSQ, Industrial, and Supply Chain stakeholders
- Contribute to FSQ-related investment decisions and product development processes
About You:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Micro, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field is required, Master’s degree is preferred.
- 7+ years of experience in Food Safety, Quality, R&D, or Product Development within food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of Food Safety & Microbiology, Quality standards, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other regulations, and product specification systems
- Experience supporting product innovation and new product development processes
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data, manage KPIs, and translate insights into actionable improvements
- Proven experience working cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
- Familiarity with non-conformity management, incident investigation, and root cause analysis
- Ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively in a global, matrix organization
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.
The base compensation range for this position is $113,026.00 - $150,701.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.
In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.
About Ferrero:
Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.
DE&I at Ferrero:
Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.
Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.
Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
Our Application Process
We’re constantly looking for talented individuals who are ready to be part of our dynamic and growing organization. Ferrero is a company with a global presence and family values. Join us!
1. Apply
Complete your online application, upload your CV and include brief cover letter to help us understand your experience and interests
2. Assess
Our HR team will arrange a phone or video interview if we feel your qualifications are a good match for the job
3. Interview
If the first interview goes well, you’ll be invited to speak with a Ferrero manager to assess your competencies, technical aptitude and fit within our dynamic organization
About the Role:
We have a current opening for a FSQ Product Design NAM and are actively reviewing applications.
The Food Safety & Quality Product Design (FSQPD) manager is responsible for defining and governing product Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) specifications across product categories in North America. It establishes consistent rules, methodologies, and performance standards to ensure product compliance, food safety, and quality excellence throughout the full value chain.
This role plays a critical link between Food Safety & Quality sister functions, R&D, and Global Brand teams—supporting innovation, product development, and continuous improvement. The FSQPD manager helps ensure FSQ requirements are embedded from concept through launch while driving performance monitoring and continuous improvement initiatives.
Main Responsibilities:
- Define and maintain Food Safety & Quality product specifications, guidelines, and methodologies across product categories
- Ensure consistency and standardization of FSQ rules (e.g., shelf-life, sensorial evaluation, compliance criteria)
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives based on plant feedback, inspections, and consumer insights, non-conformance and out-of-specification data
- Collaborate with R&D, Product Groups, and cross-functional teams to embed FSQ requirements into new product development and product modifications
- Support product innovation by identifying FSQ risks and ensuring mitigation strategies during development and industrial trials
- Monitor and analyze FSQ product performance through KPIs and dashboards; provide insights and recommendations
- Support and contribute to management of non-conformities, incidents, and specification deviations
- Provide FSQ expertise and guidance for decision-making
- Ensure alignment with Global FSQ, Industrial, and Supply Chain stakeholders
- Contribute to FSQ-related investment decisions and product development processes
About You:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Micro, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field is required, Master’s degree is preferred.
- 7+ years of experience in Food Safety, Quality, R&D, or Product Development within food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of Food Safety & Microbiology, Quality standards, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other regulations, and product specification systems
- Experience supporting product innovation and new product development processes
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data, manage KPIs, and translate insights into actionable improvements
- Proven experience working cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
- Familiarity with non-conformity management, incident investigation, and root cause analysis
- Ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively in a global, matrix organization
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.
The base compensation range for this position is $113,026.00 - $150,701.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.
In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.
About Ferrero:
Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.
DE&I at Ferrero:
Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.
Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.
Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
Our Application Process
We’re constantly looking for talented individuals who are ready to be part of our dynamic and growing organization. Ferrero is a company with a global presence and family values. Join us!
1. Apply
Complete your online application, upload your CV and include brief cover letter to help us understand your experience and interests
2. Assess
Our HR team will arrange a phone or video interview if we feel your qualifications are a good match for the job
3. Interview
If the first interview goes well, you’ll be invited to speak with a Ferrero manager to assess your competencies, technical aptitude and fit within our dynamic organization
See All 16 Product Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Design Engineer JobsProduct Design Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Design Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product design engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a closely related engineering discipline
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo for part and assembly modeling
- Experience with design for manufacturability and tolerance analysis in production environments
- Familiarity with product development lifecycle processes from concept through production release
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and program management
- Knowledge of relevant industry standards such as GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and applicable regulatory requirements
Product Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product design engineer in Illinois?
Most employers in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program. Product design engineers in Illinois are not required to hold a Professional Engineer license for most private-sector roles, but earning an Illinois PE license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation strengthens competitiveness for senior positions. Building a portfolio of CAD work and design projects is equally important for getting hired.
Which companies hire product design engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring product design engineers in Illinois right now include Molex, Amphenol, and Amphenol High Speed IO, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of medical device manufacturers, defense contractors, and industrial equipment companies means demand for product design engineers is distributed across both the Chicago metro and manufacturing-heavy downstate regions.
Which Illinois cities have the most product design engineer jobs?
Schaumburg, Lisle, and Chicago have the most product design engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago and its northern suburbs drive the largest share of listings because of the dense cluster of medical device, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment companies headquartered there, while Rockford's long-established precision manufacturing base accounts for strong demand outside the metro.
Are there remote product design engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are rare. Product design engineers typically work with physical prototypes, lab equipment, and manufacturing floors, which limits fully remote arrangements. About 67% of product design engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings tend to cover the requirements-writing, CAD modeling, and design-review phases of development rather than hands-on build and test work.
How can I get hired as a product design engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate or rotational engineering program at a large Illinois manufacturer. Companies like Caterpillar and Abbott run structured new-grad programs that place candidates in design and product development rotations without requiring prior industry experience. Applying as a design intern or mechanical engineering associate, building a SolidWorks or CATIA portfolio through coursework or personal projects, and targeting smaller contract manufacturers in the Chicago suburbs or Rockford area for first roles are all concrete starting points.
Where can I find and apply to product design engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to product design engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search by city or region to see roles in Chicago, Rockford, and surrounding areas. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employer through each listing.
See All 16 Product Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Design Engineer Jobs