Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Illinois
Senior Product Development Manager jobs in Illinois concentrate heavily in consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, and medical devices, with demand across every level from newly promoted managers through VP-adjacent senior leads. Chicago, the North Shore suburbs, and the Peoria corridor account for the largest share of openings, where employers like Abbott Laboratories, Kraft Heinz, and Caterpillar maintain deep product development teams. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois are stage-gate process ownership, cross-functional NPD leadership, and portfolio lifecycle management within regulated and consumer industries. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Open roles14
Top employerMolex
Top cityNorth Chicago, IL
Cities hiring10
Work type75% Hybrid
Top industryBiotechnology
Showing 5 of 14+ Senior Product Development Manager jobs
Senior Product Development Engineer - Medical Devices
We won't show you this job again
Added 1d ago
Gilero
Senior Product Development Engineer - Medical Devices
Chicago, Illinois
Added 1d ago
Sr Scientist, R&D - Product Development
We won't show you this job again
Added 2d ago
Kraft Heinz
Sr Scientist, R&D - Product Development
Glenview, Illinois
Added 2d ago
Sr. Product Development / Mechanical Design Engineer - High Speed Connectors
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Amphenol
Sr. Product Development / Mechanical Design Engineer - High Speed Connectors
Schaumburg, Illinois
Added 3d ago
Senior Product Manager, Product Strategy and Development
We won't show you this job again
Added 1w ago
AmpliFI Loyalty Solutions
Senior Product Manager, Product Strategy and Development
Naperville, Illinois
Added 1w ago
Senior Engineer, Product Development
We won't show you this job again
Added 1w ago
SIG Group
Senior Engineer, Product Development
Northlake, Illinois
Added 1w ago
Added 1d ago
Senior Product Development Engineer - Medical Devices
Gilero·Chicago, Illinois
Job functions:
$110k - $140k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor of Science
51-200 employees
Job Description
Do you have a passion for designing and developing innovative medical and drug delivery devices that help improve lives? At Gilero/Sanner's Chicago, IL office, we are looking for a Senior Product Development Engineer to join our mission-driven team driving innovative solutions for patients and customers. In this role you will champion the design, development, and production of medical devices and combination devices, focusing on idea generation, verification, validation, and DHF development to state-of-the-art requirements.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and like ensuing high-quality outcomes working with customers, vendors, and internal teams, this is the opportunity for you. Join us and be part of a company that values innovation, integrity, and excellence!
Responsibilities
- Act as a technical lead, increasing the rigor of technical product development, with project oversight of products, accessories, and cross-functional initiatives.
- Manage product development deliverables of high complexity through the entire development lifecycle, concept through manufacturing transfer (Phase 0 – 5).
- Track technical risk and provide engineering guidance.
- Provide feedback and mentorship to junior engineers.
- Lead the development team through technical risk retirement. Guide the team on technical risks through step-by-step simplification to discover root cause.
- Create, review, and release documents according to Gilero’s QMS and the lifecycle of the project and develop test methods and protocols to fulfill state of the art requirements.
- Inform project managers and business development on technical projects variables in order to build accurate project budgets that include feasibility, prototyping, verification and validation.
- Act as project manager for smaller, technically oriented projects.
Skills/Qualifications:
- Able to work in the office 4 days a week
- BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree
- 5+ years of product development experience in medical device, combination product or similar space preferred
- Skilled at transforming complex situations into well-defined project deliverables
- Able to lead team to achieve difficult goals through step-by-step simplification
- Able to convert complex questions into tasks to further drive simplification and clarification
- Understanding of good GDP
- Understand the Phase Gate System
- Have deep ISO 14971, 13485 and CFR 21 Knowledge base; Experience with ISO 10993 a plus
- Translate VOC (Voice of Customer) feedback into engineering design inputs and outputs
- Create/draft clinically relevant User Requirements with minimal oversight
- Ability to translate User Needs/Requirements into measurable technical/product requirements and set appropriate specification though thought experiments and empirical testing.
- Ability to discern and document appropriate scenarios for rationale-based decisions versus testing-based approaches
- Ability to author scientific/logic-based rationale
- Prepare documentation to support design history files and regulatory submissions
- Analyze test data, interpret results, formulate conclusions, and apply statistical techniques (t-test, ANOVA, UCL/LCL, Tolerance Intervals)
- Draft Risk documentation through understanding of Risk, Risk analysis, & Risk Burn Down
- Support chartering and maintaining project objectives and milestones.
- Develop testing campaigns, test flows, sample size analysis, and justification, based on sound judgment, Risk analysis, and QMS requirements.
- Lead product and process risk assessments, including hazard analysis, FMEAs and residual risk analysis in conjunction with Quality Engineering
- Write and execute protocols for design verification and validation
- Lead test method development and validation, have strong knowledge of measurement system analysis (e.g. calibration, accuracy, gage R&R, etc)
- Oversee and perform testing and inspection of prototypes and pre-production products including assisting assembly for DV&V builds and clinical builds
- Lead investigation of device failures, coordinate resources, determine root cause, identify corrective actions, and document in conjunction with Quality Engineering
- Investigate, evaluate, and research competitive devices and product materials/designs
- Understanding of Pre-clinical validation and GLP
- Ability to review and understand technical drawings and GD&T to support development lifecycle
- Ability to review, understand, and distill technical standards (ISO, ASTM, IEC, etc)
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
Personal Attributes:
- Meets Gilero Core Values: Collaboration - embracing teamwork and transparency in our organization, partnering with our customers and vendors; Integrity - doing the right thing at all times; fair and trustworthy; always keeping the patient in mind; Innovation - open to new ideas, processes, and solutions; leveraging technology to creatively solve problems; Excellence - delivering exceptional products and services with passion and pride
- Comfortable and productive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- A self-starter seeking a career opportunity with potential for internal advancement, seeking responsibility for core activities and providing high-quality service to internal and to external clients
- Commitment to excellence and quality service to external and internal customers
- Follows established policies and procedures, while contributing to continuous improvements
Eligibility To Work
- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check
- Applicants must be permanently authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
- Gilero does not offer sponsorship for employment authorizations (work visas).
- We are an E-Verify employer and confirm work authorization for all new hires
Why work at Gilero?
Founded in 2002, Gilero, a Sanner Group company, is an international contract engineering firm that specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of novel medical devices and drug delivery products. At Gilero we are proud of the culture we have built that directly reflects our values of excellence, integrity, innovation, and collaboration. Motivated by our purpose to benefit people and improve patient outcomes, our team continues to grow at a rapid pace. US locations include Carlsbad, CA; Chicago, IL; as well as NC locations in Durham, Greensboro, and Pittsboro.
You will enjoy an annual bonus plan, Medical (3 BCBS plans to choose from), dental and vision, company provided life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with a match the first month after you start with a zero-vesting period, and access to LinkedIn learning for personal and professional development.
Gilero
Senior Product Development Engineer - Medical Devices
Chicago, Illinois
Added 1d ago51-200 employees
Job functions:
$110k - $140k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor of Science
Job Description
Do you have a passion for designing and developing innovative medical and drug delivery devices that help improve lives? At Gilero/Sanner's Chicago, IL office, we are looking for a Senior Product Development Engineer to join our mission-driven team driving innovative solutions for patients and customers. In this role you will champion the design, development, and production of medical devices and combination devices, focusing on idea generation, verification, validation, and DHF development to state-of-the-art requirements.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and like ensuing high-quality outcomes working with customers, vendors, and internal teams, this is the opportunity for you. Join us and be part of a company that values innovation, integrity, and excellence!
Responsibilities
- Act as a technical lead, increasing the rigor of technical product development, with project oversight of products, accessories, and cross-functional initiatives.
- Manage product development deliverables of high complexity through the entire development lifecycle, concept through manufacturing transfer (Phase 0 – 5).
- Track technical risk and provide engineering guidance.
- Provide feedback and mentorship to junior engineers.
- Lead the development team through technical risk retirement. Guide the team on technical risks through step-by-step simplification to discover root cause.
- Create, review, and release documents according to Gilero’s QMS and the lifecycle of the project and develop test methods and protocols to fulfill state of the art requirements.
- Inform project managers and business development on technical projects variables in order to build accurate project budgets that include feasibility, prototyping, verification and validation.
- Act as project manager for smaller, technically oriented projects.
Skills/Qualifications:
- Able to work in the office 4 days a week
- BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree
- 5+ years of product development experience in medical device, combination product or similar space preferred
- Skilled at transforming complex situations into well-defined project deliverables
- Able to lead team to achieve difficult goals through step-by-step simplification
- Able to convert complex questions into tasks to further drive simplification and clarification
- Understanding of good GDP
- Understand the Phase Gate System
- Have deep ISO 14971, 13485 and CFR 21 Knowledge base; Experience with ISO 10993 a plus
- Translate VOC (Voice of Customer) feedback into engineering design inputs and outputs
- Create/draft clinically relevant User Requirements with minimal oversight
- Ability to translate User Needs/Requirements into measurable technical/product requirements and set appropriate specification though thought experiments and empirical testing.
- Ability to discern and document appropriate scenarios for rationale-based decisions versus testing-based approaches
- Ability to author scientific/logic-based rationale
- Prepare documentation to support design history files and regulatory submissions
- Analyze test data, interpret results, formulate conclusions, and apply statistical techniques (t-test, ANOVA, UCL/LCL, Tolerance Intervals)
- Draft Risk documentation through understanding of Risk, Risk analysis, & Risk Burn Down
- Support chartering and maintaining project objectives and milestones.
- Develop testing campaigns, test flows, sample size analysis, and justification, based on sound judgment, Risk analysis, and QMS requirements.
- Lead product and process risk assessments, including hazard analysis, FMEAs and residual risk analysis in conjunction with Quality Engineering
- Write and execute protocols for design verification and validation
- Lead test method development and validation, have strong knowledge of measurement system analysis (e.g. calibration, accuracy, gage R&R, etc)
- Oversee and perform testing and inspection of prototypes and pre-production products including assisting assembly for DV&V builds and clinical builds
- Lead investigation of device failures, coordinate resources, determine root cause, identify corrective actions, and document in conjunction with Quality Engineering
- Investigate, evaluate, and research competitive devices and product materials/designs
- Understanding of Pre-clinical validation and GLP
- Ability to review and understand technical drawings and GD&T to support development lifecycle
- Ability to review, understand, and distill technical standards (ISO, ASTM, IEC, etc)
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
Personal Attributes:
- Meets Gilero Core Values: Collaboration - embracing teamwork and transparency in our organization, partnering with our customers and vendors; Integrity - doing the right thing at all times; fair and trustworthy; always keeping the patient in mind; Innovation - open to new ideas, processes, and solutions; leveraging technology to creatively solve problems; Excellence - delivering exceptional products and services with passion and pride
- Comfortable and productive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- A self-starter seeking a career opportunity with potential for internal advancement, seeking responsibility for core activities and providing high-quality service to internal and to external clients
- Commitment to excellence and quality service to external and internal customers
- Follows established policies and procedures, while contributing to continuous improvements
Eligibility To Work
- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check
- Applicants must be permanently authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
- Gilero does not offer sponsorship for employment authorizations (work visas).
- We are an E-Verify employer and confirm work authorization for all new hires
Why work at Gilero?
Founded in 2002, Gilero, a Sanner Group company, is an international contract engineering firm that specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of novel medical devices and drug delivery products. At Gilero we are proud of the culture we have built that directly reflects our values of excellence, integrity, innovation, and collaboration. Motivated by our purpose to benefit people and improve patient outcomes, our team continues to grow at a rapid pace. US locations include Carlsbad, CA; Chicago, IL; as well as NC locations in Durham, Greensboro, and Pittsboro.
You will enjoy an annual bonus plan, Medical (3 BCBS plans to choose from), dental and vision, company provided life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with a match the first month after you start with a zero-vesting period, and access to LinkedIn learning for personal and professional development.
See All 14 Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Product Development Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
North Chicago
3 jobsLisle
2 jobsSchaumburg
2 jobsMonee
1 jobChicago
1 jobGlenview
1 jobChampaign
1 jobNorthlake
1 jobNaperville
1 jobDowners Grove
1 jobSenior Product Development Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Manufacturing
- Fashion & Apparel
- Chemicals & Materials
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior product development manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related technical or scientific discipline
- Seven or more years of product development experience with at least three in a leadership role
- Demonstrated ownership of full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization
- Experience managing cross-functional teams across R&D, marketing, operations, and supply chain
- Proficiency with stage-gate or agile product development frameworks in a manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with FDA, EPA, or other regulatory requirements relevant to Illinois industry sectors
Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior product development manager in Illinois?
Most senior product development managers in Illinois reach the role by combining a bachelor's degree in engineering, food science, business, or a related technical field with years of progressive NPD or R&D experience in Illinois's dominant industries. No state-issued license is required, but credentials like a Project Management Professional certification or an APICS supply chain designation strengthen candidacy significantly. Employers in the Chicago metro and suburban collar counties typically promote from within, so building cross-functional depth in operations, marketing, or regulatory affairs is the most reliable internal path.
Which companies hire senior product development managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring senior product development managers in Illinois right now include Molex, AbbVie, and Amphenol, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of CPG headquarters, medical device firms, and industrial manufacturers means senior-level openings appear consistently year-round rather than seasonally.
Which Illinois cities have the most senior product development manager jobs?
North Chicago, Lisle, and Schaumburg have the most senior product development manager openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors the majority of listings through its dense cluster of CPG, biotech, and manufacturing headquarters, while suburban hubs like Deerfield, North Chicago, and Schaumburg contribute heavily because major employers such as Abbott, Baxter, and Motorola Solutions are headquartered or have major operations there.
Are there remote senior product development manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, though they're less common than in purely digital roles because senior product development work often requires lab access, plant visits, and cross-functional in-person collaboration. About 100% of senior product development manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. The parts of the role most likely to be performed remotely are stakeholder reporting, roadmap planning, and vendor coordination rather than hands-on formulation or manufacturing oversight.
How can I get hired as a senior product development manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into an associate or junior product manager role within an Illinois manufacturing, food science, or medical device company and building cross-functional project ownership over time. Large Illinois employers like Kraft Heinz and Baxter run structured rotational and development programs that place candidates from adjacent roles such as process engineer, quality assurance specialist, or brand manager onto NPD tracks. A PMP certification or an MBA from an Illinois university like Northwestern or University of Illinois strengthens a transition candidate's profile considerably.
Where can I find and apply to senior product development manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to senior product development manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 14 Senior Product Development Manager Jobs in Illinois
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