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Design Engineer Jobs in Naperville, IL (NOW HIRING)

ITW Automotive

Design Engineer

Elmhurst, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY The Design Engineer supports the development, validation, and continuous improvement of flexible printed heater products for automotive and industrial applications. This position ...

Ebco Inc

Design Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

... of dedicated engineers responsible for the review of customer drawings, as well as the creation, review and maintenance of Ebco's manufacturing drawings. In addition to the Design group, the ...

Sterling Engineering

Mechanical Design Engineer

Monee, IL · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Mechanical Design Engineer Location : Near Monee, IL Hire Type : Direct Hire Compensation : $100k/yr. - $130k/yr. Benefits : Insurance (Health, Medical, Dental), PTO, Paid Holidays, and more! Must ...

New Leaf Energy, Inc.

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Design Engineer I to join our growing team Design Engineering team. This position may be filled out of our Lowell or Boston, MA offices. We value in-person collaboration ...

Kelly Services

SolidWorks Design Engineer

Aurora, IL

$80K - $100K/yr

Design Engineer Kelly ® Engineering is seeking a Design Engineer for a direct hire position with an Aurora, IL based client. This is an ideal role for an individual with 2+ years' design engineering ...

The Timken Company

Design Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site +1

$72K - $95K/yr

Lovejoy, a company in the Timken family of brands, is hiring a Design Engineer. Position Summary: Prepare engineering designs for products and components to support customer orders and internal ...

Timken

Design Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site +1

$72K - $95K/yr

Lovejoy, a company in the Timken family of brands, is hiring a Design Engineer. Position Summary: Prepare engineering designs for products and components to support customer orders and internal ...

Timken

Design Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site +1

$72K - $95K/yr

Lovejoy, a company in the Timken family of brands, is hiring a Design Engineer. Position Summary: Prepare engineering designs for products and components to support customer orders and internal ...

The Timken Company

Design Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$72K - $95K/yr

Lovejoy, a company in the Timken family of brands, is hiring a Design Engineer. Position Summary: Prepare engineering designs for products and components to support customer orders and internal ...

New Leaf Energy, Inc.

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

New Leaf Energy is seeking a Design Engineer I to join our growing team Design Engineering team. This position may be filled out of our Lowell or Boston, MA offices. We value in-person collaboration ...

Helm Tool

Be Seen First

Mold Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

In the role of Mold Design Engineer for Helm Tool, you will be an essential member of the team ensuring a smooth transition from design to production. You are responsible for adhering to mold ...

CKL Engineers, LLC

Transportation Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$79K - $98K/yr

TRANSPORTATION DESIGN ENGINEER CKL is currently seeking enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about roadway design, construction, engineering, and entrepreneurship and who aspire to grow their ...

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All JobsDesign Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs in Naperville, IL

Design Engineer information

See Naperville, IL salary details

$40.4K

$88K

$158.3K

How much do design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for design engineer in Naperville, IL is $88,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,900.00 and $98,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and simulation software, along with certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE), are commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with teams and translating ideas into workable designs. These abilities ensure innovative, efficient, and manufacturable solutions that meet both technical and client requirements.

What is the difference between Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDesign EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Design certifications often preferredBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, CAD software, project planningManufacturing plants, labs, fieldwork, CAD and testing
Employer & Industry UsageProduct design firms, automotive, aerospace, consumer goodsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy sectors

Design Engineers focus on creating and developing product designs using CAD tools, while Mechanical Engineers often work on the broader application, testing, and manufacturing of mechanical systems. Both roles require engineering degrees, but Design Engineers typically emphasize design skills and software proficiency, whereas Mechanical Engineers may engage more in analysis and system integration.

What does a Design Engineer do?

A Design Engineer is responsible for creating and developing new products, systems, or structures by combining engineering principles with creative design. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce detailed drawings and specifications, working closely with other engineers and teams to ensure functionality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Design Engineers are involved in every stage of product development, from initial concept through prototyping, testing, and final production. Their work often requires problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly.

How does a Design Engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

Design Engineers regularly work alongside teams such as manufacturing, quality assurance, and product management to ensure that designs are both innovative and feasible for production. Collaboration often involves participating in cross-functional meetings, reviewing prototypes, and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders. This teamwork is essential to address technical and practical challenges early in the design process, which ultimately helps in delivering a successful product to market. Strong communication and adaptability are key skills for thriving in this collaborative environment.

What Is a Design Engineer?

Design engineers develop ideas for new products and determine ways to improve existing products. As a design engineer, you put a creative perspective on your technical engineering knowledge to perform your job duties, which include creating sketches of design ideas and using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to generate plans for prototypes. To ensure the product is viable, you also evaluate other aspects of the product design, such as safety, cost, sustainability, aesthetics, and user experience. You collaborate with a team of technicians and other engineers to run tests, troubleshoot problems, and ultimately produce a newly designed product.

More about Design Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL? The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL? For Design Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Design Engineer jobs in Naperville, IL are:
What cities near Naperville, IL are hiring for Design Engineer jobs? Cities near Naperville, IL with the most Design Engineer job openings:
Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Engineer job openings in Naperville, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,018 per year, or $42.3 per hour.
Machine Design Engineer

Machine Design Engineer

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Itasca, IL

$45/hr

Contractor

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Machine Design Engineer
Location: Itasca, IL (Onsite)
Rate: Up to $45/hr
Position Type: Contract to Hire
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced Machine Design Engineer to join our team for an open-ended contract. This role focuses on designing industrial machinery and heavy equipment—not automation systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in machinery design, excellent SolidWorks skills, and the ability to deliver high-quality solutions for complex equipment.
Responsibilities:
  • Design and develop industrial machinery and heavy equipment using SolidWorks.
  • Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, and 2D drawings for fabrication.
  • Collaborate with engineers and production teams to ensure designs meet functional and manufacturability requirements.
  • Review and improve existing machinery designs.
  • Support project timelines in a company with a large backlog of work.
Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial machinery or heavy equipment design.
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks (modeling, assemblies, and drawing creation).
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is a plus, but not required.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work onsite in Itasca, IL.
Why Join:
  • Long-standing client with a reputation for quality and reliability.
  • Consistent workflow due to large backlog of projects.
  • Competitive pay of up to $45/hr.
  • Opportunity to work on a variety of machinery design projects.