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

Koch Industries

Sr. Product Design Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

... automotive, commercial vehicle and medical. Molex is seeking an experienced Sr. Product Design ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering * 5+ years of experience in mechanical product design ...

Koch Industries

Sr. Product Design Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

... automotive, commercial vehicle and medical. Molex is seeking an experienced Sr. Product Design ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering * 5+ years of experience in mechanical product design ...

ITW

NPD Senior Engineer - Mechanical Design

Lake Forest, IL

$89K - $122K/yr

... automotive components, consumables, and related service business. ITW businesses serve local ... Proficiency in CAD Design/Modeling Tools (preferred Pro/Engineer CREO-11) * Familiarity with PLM ...

ITW

NPD Senior Engineer - Mechanical Design

Lake Forest, IL

$89K - $122K/yr

... automotive components, consumables, and related service business. ITW businesses serve local ... Proficiency in CAD Design/Modeling Tools (preferred Pro/Engineer CREO-11) * Familiarity with PLM ...

International Motors, LLC

Senior Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$84K - $127K/yr

Execute engineering work with a high degree of independence, operating from general direction on ... Experience in truck and/or automotive design and development processes * Experience within the ...

Navistar International Corp.

Senior Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Execute engineering work with a high degree of independence, operating from general direction on ... Experience in truck and/or automotive design and development processes * Experience within the ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAutomotive Design Engineer JobsAutomotive Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Automotive Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.7K

$90.8K

$163.3K

How much do automotive design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive design engineer in Chicago, IL is $90,807.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $101,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive design engineer do?

An Automotive Design Engineer is responsible for developing and improving vehicle designs, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, and safety. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create blueprints and collaborate with engineers to refine concepts. Their work includes designing body structures, interiors, and aerodynamics while ensuring compliance with industry standards. They also test prototypes and analyze performance to enhance efficiency and durability.

What does a typical day look like for an automotive design engineer?

As an Automotive Design Engineer, your days often involve collaborating with other engineers and designers to create and refine vehicle components using CAD tools, participating in design reviews, and ensuring that your solutions meet safety and regulatory standards. You might analyze prototypes, troubleshoot design challenges, and incorporate feedback from cross-functional partners such as manufacturing or testing teams. It's common to split time between computer-based design work and hands-on activities like inspecting prototypes or components. This role offers a dynamic mix of creative problem-solving, technical analysis, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive design engineer?

To thrive as an Automotive Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, proficiency in CAD software, and a strong understanding of automotive systems and materials. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like CATIA, SolidWorks, and relevant certifications such as FE or PE are highly valued. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork skills help set candidates apart in this field. These skills and qualities enable engineers to develop innovative vehicle designs that meet safety, performance, and manufacturing requirements within cross-functional teams.

How much do automotive design engineers make in the US?

Automotive design engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $75,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Automotive Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Design Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $90,807 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Principal Design Engineer

Cadence Design Systems Inc.

Cary, IL

$136K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Cadence Design Systems rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 245 rated software companies

Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.

Cadenceis a pivotal leader in electronic design, building upon more than 30 years of computational software expertise. The company applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers are the world's most innovative companies, delivering extraordinary electronic products from chips to boards to systems for the most dynamic market applications including consumer, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, aerospace industrial and health.

The Cadence Advantage

  • The opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in an environment that encourages you to be creative, innovative, and to make an impact.
  • Cadence's employee-friendly policies focus on the physical and mental well-being of employees, career development, providing opportunities for learning, and celebrating success in recognition of specific needs of the employees.
  • The unique "One Cadence - One Team" culture promotes collaboration within and across teams to ensure customer success
  • Multiple avenues of learning and development available for employees to explore as per their specific requirement and interests
  • You get to work with a diverse team of passionate, dedicated, and talented individuals who go above and beyond for our customers, our communities, and each other-every day.

Job Responsibility

Palladium and Protium are high-capacitive, high-performance hardware assisted verification for complexed System-On-Chip (SOC). This role is to implement, verify, timing closure to tape out Palladium and Protium SOCs.

  • Lead a team to implement SOCs or sub system chips
  • Work on RTL synthesis and floor planning
  • Build clock trees and perform optimizations
  • Close timing, IR drop and physical verification
  • Review and Document designs for taping out
  • Interface with Front End RTL design teams and Back End Verification teams

Position Requirements/Qualifications:

  • BSdegreeinElectricalEngineeringwithaminimumof7yearsofexperienceORMSwithaminimumof5yearsofexperienceORPhDwithaminimum1yearsofexperience
  • Experience with Cadence tools such as Innovus, Tempus, QRC, Voltus and Pegasus
  • Experience with advanced technologies like 5nm, 3ns and 2nm nodes
  • Experience using Linux servers, Script development using Shell/Perl/TCL
  • Detailed knowledge about industry standard interfaces such as PCI Express, DDR, LPDDR, SRAM, UCIe, etc.

The annual salary range for California is $136,500 to $253,500. You may also be eligible to receive incentive compensation: bonus, equity, and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid vacation and paid holidays, 401(k) plan with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, a variety of medical, dental and vision plan options, and more.

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