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Design And Development Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

SDET Consultant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) Duration: 6-18 months Work Mode: Onsite ... Design, create, and execute comprehensive test plans and test scripts * Analyze test results ...

Contribute to the design, development and physical validation of products * Support the creation ... Familiarity with basic engineering and manufacturing principles * Proficient in basic computer ...

Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Contribute to the design, development and physical validation of products * Support the creation ... Familiarity with basic engineering and manufacturing principles * Proficient in basic computer ...

Mechanical Design Project Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$75K - $101K/yr

Contribute to the design, development and physical validation of products * Support the creation ... Familiarity with basic engineering and manufacturing principles * Proficient in basic computer ...

Responsible for leading all aspects of new product development: design, costing, development, trial ... The Product Development Engineer reports to the Global Rubber Leader. What skills and knowledge do ...

Design and develop innovative mechanical fastening and anchoring products that achieve performance ... product development, design engineering, or new product innovation within a manufacturing ...

Lead R&D Engineer

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$99K - $131K/yr

The Lead R&D Engineer will lead or participate in new product development project teams to drive ... Independently design & execute complex technical assignments and processes supporting functional ...

Design Engineer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$85K - $96K/yr

Overview Filtran is seeking a Design / Project Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced filtration systems for automotive powertrain applications. In this role, you will bring ...

Showing results 41-60

Design And Development Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$50.5K

$99.1K

$158.2K

How much do design and development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for design and development engineer in Chicago, IL is $99,128.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,000.00 and $109,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design and development engineer?

Design and Development Engineers are professionals who create, test, and refine products or systems, often working in fields like manufacturing, electronics, or automotive engineering. They use technical knowledge and creativity to design new products or improve existing ones, ensuring they are functional, cost-effective, and meet safety standards. Their roles often involve collaborating with other engineers, using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and overseeing the development process from concept to production. These engineers play a crucial role in turning ideas into real-world solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design and development engineer?

To thrive as a Design and Development Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, a background in engineering (such as a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or related disciplines), and proficiency in product design principles. Familiarity with CAD software (like SolidWorks or AutoCAD), project management tools, and relevant industry certifications (such as Six Sigma or PMP) is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills that set top professionals apart in this role. These skills ensure the successful design, prototyping, and launch of innovative products that meet both technical and market demands.

How does a design and development engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product lifecycle?

Design and Development Engineers work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including manufacturing, quality assurance, and marketing, throughout a product’s lifecycle. They are often responsible for translating design concepts into prototypes, gathering feedback from stakeholders, and incorporating changes to ensure the final product meets both technical and customer requirements. Regular meetings, design reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions are common, making strong communication skills essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Design And Development Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDesign And Development EngineerMechanical Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and developing new products or systemsApplying principles of mechanics to analyze, design, and improve mechanical systems
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Industrial, or related engineering; often includes CAD certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; licensure may be preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing settingsManufacturing plants, testing labs, design offices
Industry UsageProduct development, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronicsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy sectors

The main difference is that Design And Development Engineers focus on creating and refining new products and systems, while Mechanical Engineers apply mechanical principles to analyze and improve existing mechanical systems. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in overlapping industries, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

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

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Design And Development Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Design And Development Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Design And Development Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,131 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Senior Product Development Engineer - Advanced Development

Koch Industries

Lisle, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design and develop high-speed connectors, cables, and interconnect systems for data center, cloud computing, and telecom industries.

  • Interface with cross-functional teams to generate product specifications, support manufacturing, and present concepts to internal and external stakeholders.

  • Lead the identification, evaluation, and implementation of new technologies and methodologies to enable next-generation products and improve development processes.


Koch Industries rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

138th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

Your Job
Molex is seeking an experienced mechanical Senior Product Development Engineer to design our industry-leading high-speed connector and cable systems for our big data and hyperscale customers. These high-tech, leading-edge components are critical for the data superhighways infrastructure we use every day. Here at Molex, we are leading the industry with our smart data solutions that solve our customers' toughest challenges. In this highly visible engineering position, you will join a team of professionals who are passionate about delivering the best products in the world to the market.
Molex brings together innovation and technology to deliver electronic solutions to customers worldwide. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex offers a full suite of solutions and services for many markets, including data communications, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, commercial vehicle and medical products.
As a Senior Product Development Engineer with the CSBU IO Advanced Development team your primary focus will be the design of next-generation high-speed connectors, cables, and interconnect systems for the exponentially-expanding AI datacenter, cloud computing, and telecom industries. You will be joining a small, agile group of interdisciplinary engineers engaging in innovation-heavy development. Your role will involve research, design, analysis, and prototyping of emerging interconnect technologies, as well as collaborative and advisory activities with diverse groups across Molex.
Successful applicants will exhibit the following characteristics:
  • A sincere drive for continuous learning and application of new knowledge
  • The ability to plan and execute projects with minimal direction
  • A demonstrated capacity for complex problem-solving
  • Competence in communicating technical information to diverse (including non-technical) audiences
  • An eager attitude towards tackling new and unfamiliar challenges

The primary location for this position is the Lisle Design Center.
What You Will Do
  • Be a team member in a global organization designing and developing leading edge new products and components for the high-speed cable and connector industry. These may include high-speed connectors, connector cable assemblies, and other interconnect products.
  • Interface with professional cross-functional team members in our signal integrity, manufacturing integration, program management, sales organization, test laboratory, high tech R&D model shop, and senior leadership teams.
  • Generate novel intellectual property (IP) related to new technology development.
  • Provide guidance and problem-solving skills to related groups within Molex, acting as subject matter expert where appropriate.
  • Develop product and application specification documents for testing that meet our customer requirements and general market expectations
  • Present concepts and detailed requirements internally and to customers to obtain support for development of major new products.
  • Support Manufacturing and Quality Assurance during product launches and have travel opportunities to visit our manufacturing sites and meet the global team
  • Create relationships with senior leadership, cross functional team members and peers through team building activities and growth opportunities operating as One Molex Team
  • Help lead the organization in identification, evaluation, and implementation of new technologies and methodologies to enable next generation products, improve costs and quality, as well as improve New Product Development (NPD) engineering processes.
  • Provide leadership, support, and guide less experienced team members on multiple NPD projects.
  • Work with marketing and external customers to help define new project opportunities and strategize on development roadmaps.
  • Provide application and technical support to consolidate inputs from marketing, customers, and external consultants into product concepts and detailed requirements.
  • Follow all product development steps from concept inception to high-quantity production.
  • Retain responsibility for follow-up, documentation, publishing, and expediting all action items of a new product program.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field
  • 5+ years experience in mechanical product design and development with proven technical leadership
  • Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Experience with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and concepts
  • Expert use of Tolerance Analyses
  • Experience with advanced parametric 3D CAD systems
  • Design experience with products manufactured using some or all of the following processes: progressive die stamping, injection molding, die casting and insert molding
  • Experience with new technology development

What Will Put You Ahead
  • Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering field
  • Siemens NX experience
  • Design experience with high speed, high density connectors, cable assemblies, and interconnect products
  • Good understanding and practical knowledge of Six Sigma quality development tools and principles (DOE, FMEA, etc.)
  • Understanding and application of sound project management techniques managing projects to timelines, due dates and deadlines
  • Experience with formal research and development (in academia or industry)

For this role, we anticipate paying $120,000 - $160,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Who We Are
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).
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