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Circuit Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

Decatur, IL ยท On-site

$73K - $99K/yr

Design hydraulic systems including circuit layout, component selection, and schematic development ... Serve as the engineering team's hydraulics resource for new design and post-delivery field support ...

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

Decatur, IL ยท On-site

$73K - $99K/yr

Design hydraulic systems including circuit layout, component selection, and schematic development ... Serve as the engineering team's hydraulics resource for new design and post-delivery field support ...

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Circuit Design Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$57.7K

$107.4K

$144.9K

How much do circuit design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for circuit design engineer in Illinois is $107,363.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,900.00 and $128,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a circuit design engineer do?

A circuit design engineer develops electronic circuitry found in analog devices such as a computer, smartphone, or television. As a circuit design engineer, your job duties include designing the latest advances in circuits, developing circuit equipment, and troubleshooting after installation. You may also supervise the manufacturing process in plants and factories, as well as perform safety and cost assessments.

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

To thrive as a Circuit Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, circuit analysis, and experience with schematic design, usually backed by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with EDA tools like Cadence, OrCAD, or Altium Designer, and knowledge of simulation software such as SPICE, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and troubleshoot complex circuits. These skills are crucial for ensuring reliable, efficient circuit designs that meet industry standards and project requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by circuit design engineers when working on new product development?

Circuit Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as meeting stringent performance specifications while minimizing power consumption and cost. They must also ensure their designs are manufacturable and meet industry standards for reliability and safety. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including PCB layout, firmware, and testing engineers, is essential to address integration issues and ensure the final product functions as intended. Staying updated with rapidly evolving technology and component availability is another key aspect of the role.

What is the difference between Circuit Design Engineer vs Electronics Engineer?

AspectCircuit Design EngineerElectronics Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing electronic circuits and systemsDesigning, testing, and troubleshooting electronic devices and systems
Skills & CertificationsCircuit simulation, PCB design, CAD tools, often requires electrical engineering degreeElectronics theory, circuit analysis, testing, often requires electrical engineering degree
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesResearch labs, manufacturing, field testing, product development
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, telecommunications, aerospaceConsumer electronics, industrial equipment, automotive

While both roles involve working with electronic systems, a Circuit Design Engineer primarily focuses on creating and optimizing electronic circuits, whereas an Electronics Engineer has a broader scope, including testing and troubleshooting entire electronic devices. The roles often overlap, especially in design and development phases, but their specific responsibilities differ based on project needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Circuit Design Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Circuit Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What job categories do people searching Circuit Design Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Circuit Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Circuit Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Circuit Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Circuit Design Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,363 per year, or $51.6 per hour.

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

Decatur, IL โ€ข On-site

$73K - $99K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

ALIGN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Design Engineer II

Decatur, IL | Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION

Decatur, IL

DEPARTMENT

Engineering

REPORTS TO

Customer Program Manager

TYPE

Full-Time, Exempt


ABOUT ALIGN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Align Production Systems (APS) is an engineer-to-order capital equipment manufacturer specializing in automated guided vehicles, welding positioners, turntables, transporters, and custom material handling solutions for Fortune 500 manufacturers. Our Decatur, Illinois facility is our manufacturing hub. We run Monday through Friday, first shift only — no weekends, no holidays, no rotating schedules.

THE ROLE

The Design Engineer II owns the design and release of custom material handling equipment from concept through manufacturing handoff. This role also carries specific technical accountability for hydraulic system design and laser nesting operations, and serves as the primary on-site engineering presence for the Decatur manufacturing floor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design Engineering & Release

  • Mechanical design on ETO projects through release to manufacturing
  • Develop complete engineering packages: 3D models, fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, and BOMs
  • Manage detail and drafting; own the release process for all assigned projects
  • Coordinate with the Decatur manufacturing team to ensure a clean handoff

Hydraulic System Design

  • Design hydraulic systems including circuit layout, component selection, and schematic development
  • Select and specify valves, cylinders, pumps, manifolds, and hose assemblies
  • Serve as the engineering team's hydraulics resource for new design and post-delivery field support

On-Site Manufacturing Support

  • Serve as the primary on-site engineering presence for the Decatur floor in partnership with Manufacturing Engineer and Plant Leadership
  • Resolve floor-level technical questions, in-process decisions, and build clarifications in real time
  • Host factory acceptance testing with customer interface

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • Design engineering experience in an engineer-to-order or custom manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated hydraulic system design experience: circuit design, component selection, and troubleshooting
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD platform
  • Experience with engineering release processes — drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing-ready documentation
  • Working knowledge of fabrication processes: laser cutting, forming, welding, and machining

Preferred

  • Familiarity with AGVs, transporters, positioners, or heavy material handling equipment
  • Experience with Acumatica ERP or similar manufacturing platforms