Assistant Project Engineer Jobs in Darien, IL (NOW HIRING)

About The Role:

This Project Engineer position offers a broad engineering seat inside an established, 50+ year metal fabrication organization. They are looking to grow and have plans towards more of an automation approach. The organization has brought in a few new engineers, as well as promoted some current ones in place.

Rather than being limited to CAD work or sitting behind a desk, the role follows projects from the early design stage through manufacturing and implementation on the production floor. It is an opportunity to combine mechanical design, project coordination, manufacturing problem solving, and continuous improvement in one position.

What You Will Work On:

• Own engineering projects from concept and design through release, production support, implementation, and follow-up.
• Create and modify 3D models, manufacturing drawings, layouts, and other engineering documentation using SolidWorks or comparable CAD tools.
• Translate customer requirements and product concepts into designs that can be produced efficiently in a real manufacturing environment.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability principles while considering tooling, fabrication methods, tolerances, material usage, cost, and production capability.
• Support new product introductions and help move projects from prototype or early-stage development into repeatable production.
• Coordinate project details, priorities, timelines, technical requirements, and open action items with manufacturing and cross-functional teams.
• Spend time on the production floor troubleshooting issues and working directly with operators, supervisors, and manufacturing personnel.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, simplify manufacturing steps, improve throughput, and strengthen product consistency.
• Assist with tooling, fixtures, process improvements, equipment-related projects, and other engineering initiatives that improve production performance.
• Maintain drawings, BOMs, specifications, revisions, and project documentation as designs and manufacturing requirements evolve.

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical design, product design, manufacturing engineering, project engineering, or a similar engineering function.
• Experience with 3D CAD; SolidWorks experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to create and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, dimensions, and tolerances.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and a willingness to work directly with production rather than operating solely from an office environment.
• Exposure to metal fabrication, stamping, sheet metal, welding, forming, machining, assembly, or other contract manufacturing processes is valuable.
• Ability to organize multiple engineering projects and communicate effectively with production, operations, vendors, customers, and other stakeholders.
• A continuous-improvement mindset and an interest in making products and processes easier, faster, more consistent, and more cost-effective to manufacture.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Up to $92,000 base salary.
• Broad engineering scope combining design, project management, manufacturing support, and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to follow projects from concept through production rather than owning only one piece of the engineering cycle.
• Direct exposure to the shop floor and the ability to see engineering ideas become physical products.
• Established manufacturer with a long operating history and capabilities spanning precision metal stamping, sheet metal fabrication, welding, assembly, and related manufacturing processes.
• Work across a variety of customer programs and manufacturing challenges instead of being tied to one repetitive product line.
• Strong opportunity for an engineer who wants to expand beyond pure design and build broader project and manufacturing experience.

You should be proficient in:

• GD&T
• Bachelor's Degree
• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• CAD Software
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Metal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)