Application Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

Lippert is a leading, global manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered products and customized solutions, dedicated to shaping, growing and bettering the RV, marine, automotive, bus, railway, commercial vehicle and building products industries.  We combine our strategic manufacturing capabilities with the power of our winning team culture to deliver unrivaled customer service, award-winning innovation and premium products to all of our customers.

Why We are Different:

At Lippert, Everyone Matters. This is not just a tagline or empty promise; it is who we are.  We have intentionally created a culture that values and celebrates our team members’ unique and varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.  We strive to give our team members a deeper sense of purpose at work, and we continue to build a better work environment by aligning our cultural and business strategies with the needs of our team members.

What You will Get:

1. A unique, inclusive and supportive company culture.
2. Comprehensive benefit offerings including medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match, vacation, and more!
3. Fair and competitive compensation.
4. Career development and mentoring and opportunities to grow.
5. Holiday, personal and vacation days.

Summary/Objective:

The Sr. Design Engineer is responsible for solving day-to-day design challenges of existing products as well as developing new products from concept through production.  They will support existing production products through VAVE and Continuous Improvement efforts as well as creation of new derivative systems.  The SR. Design Engineer is also responsible for researching new product opportunities, analyzing customer design proposals, defining specifications, benchmarking competitor products, and reviewing warranty data to determine feasibility of new product designs or applications. The Senior Design Engineer will report directly to the Engineering Manager based in the Goshen/Elkhart, Indiana office. However, this position will primarily operate out of the Chicago plant.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

1. Design and/or modify electromechanical/mechanical products or systems such as rack and pinion drive systems, linear motion control, water management systems, load distribution, etc. to fit application requirements
2. Ensure design documentation and specifications are complete and accurate for all levels of components and assemblies. 
3. Create and maintain DFMEA as needed
4. Write design validation plans and testing procedures; Assist testing personnel in specifying equipment, methods and procedures for testing mechanical products or systems
5. Create conceptual and prototype designs, images, and physical samples
6. Work with manufacturing engineering and suppliers to ensure the most efficient methods of manufacturing and assembly are developed and meet appropriate specifications.
7. Track and communicate design changes to a cross-functional team
8. Provide technical details for engineering documents including test reports, product specifications, manuals, etc.
9. Support manufacturing/assembly areas through first runs of products
10. Evaluate field installations/use and translate that information into technical design goals and improvements
11. Lead establishment and/or upgrading of internal engineering standards and practices
12. Demonstrate a strong commitment to Lippert’s safety and personnel policies including core values
13. Ensure designs comply with applicable standards, codes, and regulations
14. Mentor less experienced team members in technical and non-technical functions

Working Conditions:

• Primarily working indoors, office environment.
• May sit for several hours at a time.
• Prolonged exposure to computer screens.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a similar technical field required
2. 6+ years of relevant work experience required
3. Knowledge of 3D modeling best practices required; SolidWorks experience preferred
4. Familiarity with RV products and applications preferred
5. Excellent communication skills required
6. Knowledge of Six Sigma and Lean principles preferred
7. Experience with high volume manufacturing processes and methods
8. Must be self-motivated and possess a high level of personal initiative

Competencies:

1. Solid mechanical engineering proficiency; can design complex electromechanical systems and sub-components. 
2. Experience utilizing FEA to enhance and optimize product design.  Able to define assumptions and build/constrain models so as to maximize the integrity of the model’s results.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Can concisely articulate engineering conclusions to leadership and other disciplines within the organization.  Communicates appropriately both internally and externally.
4. Understanding and use of mathematical concepts relating to mechanical drive systems, basic electronics and static/dynamic loading analysis.
5. Analysis of highly complex engineering issues and problems, drawing valid conclusions based on robust data collection and fact-based review.
6. Understanding of materials, mechanical properties and manufacturing processes such that initial concept designs are feasible and meet agreed upon design requirements
7. DFM/DFA
8. Strong problem-solving experience with a high level of creativity
9. Strong working knowledge of drawing detailing and GD&T practices
10. Capable of performing complex tolerance stack-ups and evaluating first article inspection reports to ensure a robust design
11. Use of D/PFMEA and other risk analysis tools
12. Able to execute multiple projects in parallel while balancing competing requests and needs.  Gives attention to detail and quality.
13. Able to identify, interpret, and apply applicable industry standards to design concepts and procedures.
14. Comfortable working in a team environment and effective at brainstorming/concepting individually and in a group

Salary Range:

Pay Range: $102,000 - $106,000 per year

Lippert determines pay based on several factors, including but not limited to the position being offered, education, skills, work experience, and other factors permitted by law. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range.

Lippert offers Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401K with employer match, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, Paid Family Leave, Paid Time Off and Sick Time. For a more comprehensive list please see Human Resources. 

Lippert is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This role does not have any supervisory responsibility upon hiring.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time salary position, and hours/days of work are decided by production schedules and your reporting manager. 

Travel:

Travel will be required to Goshen/Elkhart as needed.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the Team Member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Lippert provides equal employment opportunity to all team members and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, citizen status, protected veteran status, military service, marital status or any other legally protected category as established by federal, state, or local law.  This policy governs all employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, job assignment, compensation, training, promotion, discipline, transfer, leave-of-absence, access to benefits, layoff, recall, termination and other personnel matters.  All employment and personnel-related decisions are based solely upon legitimate, job-related factors, such as skill, ability, past performance, and length of service with Lippert.

Lippert’s strong commitment to equal employment opportunity requires a commitment by each individual team member.  Compliance with the letter and spirit of this policy is required of all team members.  Violations of this policy should be immediately reported to your leader or to any member of leadership.  Team members who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

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