Principal Design Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Principal design engineer roles in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago's engineering and manufacturing corridor, with major employers like Motorola Solutions, Abbott Laboratories, Caterpillar, and Boeing's Chicago operations actively hiring senior engineering talent. Illinois-based firms across medical devices, aerospace, and industrial technology regularly sponsor H-1B visa and other work visas for qualified principal design engineers.
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AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Within Infrastructure Services and Data Center Engineering, the Electrical Products and Services team is developing resilient electrical distribution products and systems. Our designs are fundamentally changing the data center, providing operational and financial benefits that are critical to the success of the AWS business and its millions of customers. Our engineers solve challenging technology problems and take big bets on new concepts, enabling AWS services to continue to revolutionize the industry.
We're seeking a Senior Product Design Mechanical Engineer to own end to end product design and development of electrical power distribution equipment such as Low Voltage Switchgear and Power Distribution Cabinets. You will directly lead product design and development and be a part of the process from concept to implementation. You must be capable of defining equipment specifications and evaluating the merit of design changes. The ideal candidate brings experience working on end to end electro-mechanical product design and manufacturing.
This position requires approximately 30% travel to AWS offices, data centers, suppliers, vendors, and product validation sites. While most travel is domestic, some international travel may be required.
Open to hiring this position in Austin, Atlanta, Columbus, Northern Virginia or Seattle.
Key job responsibilities
- Work with internal partner teams to solicit customer input and define design requirements for product design.
- Lead new product design, development and qualification of critical electrical power distribution equipment for AWS data centers including LV and MV switchgear, power distribution cabinets and panels.
- Ensure compliance with UL, CSA, IEC and federal, state and municipal requirements and building codes across different countries through appropriate levels of testing.
- Validate design through prototype, pre-production and first-of-kind builds, conducting DFx and value engineering analysis through each step and updating design and documentation.
- Work with field engineering and commissioning teams to properly test and validate installation, operation, and performance of electrical products.
- Ability to provide support for manufacturing activities for the new products on concurrent projects in multiple geographical locations.
- Be a leader within the product development team as well as within internal and external teams that support the data center.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production.
- 10+ years leading new product design, development, testing and manufacturing support of electronic components.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional Engineering or Architectural License
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Experience reading, interpreting, and creating construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, GA, Atlanta - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, OH, COLUMBUS - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Within Infrastructure Services and Data Center Engineering, the Electrical Products and Services team is developing resilient electrical distribution products and systems. Our designs are fundamentally changing the data center, providing operational and financial benefits that are critical to the success of the AWS business and its millions of customers. Our engineers solve challenging technology problems and take big bets on new concepts, enabling AWS services to continue to revolutionize the industry.
We're seeking a Senior Product Design Mechanical Engineer to own end to end product design and development of electrical power distribution equipment such as Low Voltage Switchgear and Power Distribution Cabinets. You will directly lead product design and development and be a part of the process from concept to implementation. You must be capable of defining equipment specifications and evaluating the merit of design changes. The ideal candidate brings experience working on end to end electro-mechanical product design and manufacturing.
This position requires approximately 30% travel to AWS offices, data centers, suppliers, vendors, and product validation sites. While most travel is domestic, some international travel may be required.
Open to hiring this position in Austin, Atlanta, Columbus, Northern Virginia or Seattle.
Key job responsibilities
- Work with internal partner teams to solicit customer input and define design requirements for product design.
- Lead new product design, development and qualification of critical electrical power distribution equipment for AWS data centers including LV and MV switchgear, power distribution cabinets and panels.
- Ensure compliance with UL, CSA, IEC and federal, state and municipal requirements and building codes across different countries through appropriate levels of testing.
- Validate design through prototype, pre-production and first-of-kind builds, conducting DFx and value engineering analysis through each step and updating design and documentation.
- Work with field engineering and commissioning teams to properly test and validate installation, operation, and performance of electrical products.
- Ability to provide support for manufacturing activities for the new products on concurrent projects in multiple geographical locations.
- Be a leader within the product development team as well as within internal and external teams that support the data center.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production.
- 10+ years leading new product design, development, testing and manufacturing support of electronic components.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional Engineering or Architectural License
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Experience reading, interpreting, and creating construction drawings, specifications, and submittal documents
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, GA, Atlanta - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, OH, COLUMBUS - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, TX, Austin - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Seattle - 136,600.00 - 184,800.00 USD annually
Principal Design Engineer Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Principal Design Engineer Jobs in IllinoisPrincipal Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in Illinois sponsor visas for principal design engineers?
Illinois employers with consistent H-1B sponsorship records for senior engineering roles include Motorola Solutions, Abbott Laboratories, Caterpillar, Boeing, Baxter International, and Illinois Tool Works. Chicago-area technology and manufacturing firms also sponsor at this level. Sponsorship patterns vary by company size and project pipeline, so checking an employer's LCA filing history gives a clearer picture than relying on job postings alone.
What visa types are available for principal design engineers seeking sponsorship in Illinois?
The H-1B is the primary path, covering specialty occupations requiring a directly related bachelor's degree or higher. Australian nationals can apply for the E-3 visa, which has no lottery. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa status as engineers under the USMCA profession list. For long-term stays, EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green cards are common follow-on options after initial nonimmigrant visa approval.
How to find principal design engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate lists Illinois employers with verified visa sponsorship history for engineering roles, including principal design engineer positions across Chicago, Peoria, and the broader metro area. Searching by role and location on Migrate Mate surfaces companies that have actively filed for engineering talent, reducing time spent on employers unlikely to sponsor. This is more targeted than general job searches for international candidates.
Which Illinois cities have the most principal design engineer sponsorship jobs?
Chicago and its northern suburbs, particularly Schaumburg, Deerfield, and Downers Grove, account for the highest concentration of principal design engineer sponsorship activity in Illinois. These areas host headquarters and R&D centers for medical device, telecommunications, and industrial engineering firms. Peoria sees sponsorship activity tied to Caterpillar's global engineering operations, making it a secondary hub for this role.
Are there industry-specific considerations for principal design engineers pursuing sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois has a strong medical devices and industrial automation presence, meaning principal design engineers with hardware, embedded systems, or electromechanical backgrounds are well-positioned. The University of Illinois and Northwestern University supply engineering talent pipelines that Illinois employers are accustomed to navigating for OPT and H-1B transitions. Aerospace and defense roles near Chicago may carry security clearance requirements that affect international candidate eligibility.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored principal design engineer jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.