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Assistant Design Engineer Jobs in Willowbrook, IL

Senior Highway Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL ยท On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

GFT is seeking a Senior Highway Design Engineer to join our Transportation Team in Downtown Chicago ... The person will be a member of our roadway group and will assist in various tasks including plan ...

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Mechanical Machine Design Engineer

Elgin, IL ยท On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Support customers when needed on technical matters * Assist the service department team with ... Turnkey services include design, engineering, welding, machining, assembly, testing, installation ...

Product Design Engineer

Lisle, IL ยท On-site

$110K/yr

... and assist with product testing, generating models, engineering changes, technical documents etc ... Performs design verification activities to ensure that design meets the specification requirements.

Support quality control processes and assist with project documentation, archiving, and deliverable ... Strong understanding of transportation design principles, standards, and engineering practices.

Engineer, Design & Innovation

Glenview, IL ยท On-site

$134K/yr

Job Purpose As a Design & Innovation Packaging Engineer, you will support innovative and disruptive ... Support prototyping development for consumer testing and assist with pilot line setup and scale-up ...

Showing results 21-40

Assistant Design Engineer information

See Willowbrook, IL salary details

$32.6K

$87.8K

$133K

How much do assistant design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant design engineer in Willowbrook, IL is $87,781.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,700.00 and $103,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant design engineer do?

An Assistant Design Engineer supports senior engineers in creating and developing designs for products, structures, or systems. Their tasks often include preparing technical drawings, conducting research, creating prototypes, and assisting with testing and analysis. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create models and work closely with other team members to ensure designs meet project requirements and safety standards. This role is typically an entry-level position that provides valuable experience in engineering design and project management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Design Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with design tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA and knowledge of industry standards or certifications such as EIT (Engineer-in-Training) are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork and communication skills make candidates stand out in this role. These competencies are essential to ensure precise, innovative design solutions and effective collaboration within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What are some common challenges assistant design engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to professional engineering environments?

Assistant Design Engineers often find that transitioning from academic projects to real-world engineering roles involves adapting to tighter deadlines, larger teams, and stricter compliance with industry standards. Unlike classroom assignments, professional projects require precise documentation, coordination with other departments such as manufacturing and quality assurance, and adherence to budget constraints. Embracing collaborative tools and clear communication is essential, as is being open to feedback from senior engineers to grow technically and professionally.

What is the difference between Assistant Design Engineer vs Design Engineer?

AspectAssistant Design EngineerDesign Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; some certificationsBachelor's or higher in engineering; often more experience
Work EnvironmentSupport role in design teams, assisting senior engineersLead or primary role in designing projects, overseeing technical details
ResponsibilitiesAssist in creating designs, preparing drawings, and conducting researchDevelop and finalize designs, review technical specifications, and coordinate with manufacturing

The main difference between an Assistant Design Engineer and a Design Engineer lies in responsibility level and experience. Assistant Design Engineers support the design process and gain experience, while Design Engineers take on more complex tasks and lead design projects. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Design Engineers typically have more hands-on experience and responsibility.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Willowbrook, IL?

The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Willowbrook, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Willowbrook, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant Design Engineer jobs in Willowbrook, IL are:

What cities near Willowbrook, IL are hiring for Assistant Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Willowbrook, IL with the most Assistant Design Engineer job openings:

Senior Highway Design Engineer

GFT.

Schaumburg, IL โ€ข On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

GFT is seeking a Senior Highway Design Engineer to join our Transportation Team in Downtown Chicago or Schaumburg, IL! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Chicagoย or Schaumburg, IL offices.

GFT's Transportation team offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all.ย Explore some of our signature Transportation projects here.ย ย 

What you'll be challenged to do:

The ideal candidate will be creative and possess the ability to independently solve engineering design issues and take ownership of their work. The ideal candidate will also have strong listening and communication skills and be able to interact with clients and the design team throughout the project lifecycle.ย  This engineer should also have solid writing skills and enjoy being part of a dynamic, growing team of creative professionals.

The person will be a member of our roadway group and will assist in various tasks including plan preparation, quantity calculations, geometric design, pavement marking/signing, drainage design, traffic studies, traffic signal design, public involvement, report writing, specifications, cost estimates and other related tasks. The individual may also be called on to work closely with other teams on multi-disciplinary projects. ย The engineer will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects in a unique and dynamic work environment.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:ย 

  • Assist in various tasks including plan preparation, quantity calculation, geometric design, drainage design, MOT, specifications, cost estimates and other related tasks.
  • OpenRoads Designer, Microstation,ย MS Office and other design software will be used. All work will be in collaboration with other engineers, technicians, planners, and surveyors.
  • Candidates withย someย background in preliminary engineering or development of detailed plans and specifications are preferred; and must possess strong technical skills,ย be able to learn and adapt quickly, haveย excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment on multi-disciplinary projects.ย ย 
  • May be asked to participate in non-design engineering activities such asย occasionalย field data collection.
  • Receives instructions from Project Manager or Senior Project Engineers as to the general results expected.
  • Research design options and document findings for Senior Project Engineer. Keeps Senior Project Manager informed of workload and any changes in project schedule or scope or additional services.
What you will bring to our firm:ย 
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineeringย (or equivalent)ย from an ABET accredited school.
  • 3 - 6 years' professional experience in design or plan production related to transportation engineering.ย 
  • Demonstrated professional experience and fundamental skills with OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation and Geopak.
  • Certified E.I.T. or could obtain licensure in the next six months.
  • Actively engages multiple perspectives when solving problems, seeks to learn from peers, and encourages reciprocal learning among team members.
ย What we prefer you bring:ย 
  • Roadway or Transportation related design and plan production experience within the state of Illinois.
  • Basic 3D modeling skills and familiarity using OpenRoads Designer.
  • Experience with Bluebeam Revu.
  • PE preferred

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $80,000-$100,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

ย Featured Benefits:ย  Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment. Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan. Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual. Tuition reimbursement for continued education. Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

Location: Chicago or Schaumburg, ILCore Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMEmployment Status: Full-Time

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

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Employment Type: FULL_TIME