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

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Description

The Mechanical Design Engineer designs and supports precision workholding solutions and industrial equipment, with a strong focus on chucking systems and machined components. This role works closely with manufacturing, machining, and project teams to ensure that all designs are feasible, manufacturable, and thoroughly documented. The position emphasizes hands-on experience, practical knowledge, and the ability to respond quickly to feedback in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical components, assemblies, and detailed drawings using SolidWorks.
• Develop and modify workholding and chuck designs for industrial and manufacturing applications.
• Revise and update drawings based on machining feasibility feedback from the machining team.
• Collaborate closely with machinists, manufacturing personnel, and project teams throughout the design process.
• Create precise and complete documentation with extreme attention to detail.
• Interpret and apply GD&T appropriately on engineering drawings.
• Manage and organize design data using PDM systems.
• Support projects through concept, design, and production phases, ensuring smooth handoffs to manufacturing.
• Perform basic FEA analysis as needed to validate designs.
• Maintain accurate records and design information within ERP systems.
• Support multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Incorporate design-for-manufacturing principles and a strong understanding of machining processes into all designs.
• Adjust and improve designs based on practical, hands-on feedback from the shop floor.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of experience in mechanical design engineering.
• Hands-on mechanical design experience gained through work, trade, apprenticeship, or similar practical paths; no formal degree required.
• Experience designing industrial equipment, specifically workholding or chucking systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for parts, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment with a solid understanding of machining processes and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Ability to react quickly and revise blueprints based on feasibility feedback from machining teams.
• Strong mechanical engineering and mechanical design experience.
• Ability to interpret and apply GD&T on drawings.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints accurately.
• Experience using ERP systems to maintain design and project records.
• Extreme attention to detail and thorough documentation skills.
• Ability to support multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Direct experience in a machine shop or manufacturing floor environment.
• Knowledge of lathes, mills, and CNC machining, including CNC lathes and CNC mills.
• Previous experience designing workholding solutions and tooling.
• Familiarity with Cad-Link or similar CAD-related tools.
• Experience working with PDM systems for design data management.
• Project management experience in a machining or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with new product development processes.
• Advanced FEA experience for more complex analysis.
• Exposure to tooling design and industrial equipment design.

Work Environment

The role operates in a fast-paced manufacturing and machining environment where the engineer collaborates closely with machinists and shop personnel. You will regularly interact with mills, lathes, CNC machines, and other industrial equipment, applying design-for-manufacturing principles to ensure that concepts translate effectively to the shop floor. The position relies heavily on SolidWorks for 3D modeling and detailed drawings, PDM systems for managing design data, and ERP systems for maintaining accurate project and production records. The environment values practical, hands-on problem solving, clear communication with cross-functional teams, and meticulous documentation to support the full lifecycle of industrial and workholding equipment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Prospect Heights, IL.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Prospect Heights,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.