Design Manager Jobs in DeKalb, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Description We strive to be Your Future, Your Solution to accelerate your career. Contact Andy Birkenholz at abirkenholz@saigepartners.com, you can also schedule an appointment, to learn more about this opportunity. Director of Design Engineering - Medical Thermoformed Packaging Position Summary Reporting to the Vice President/General Manager, the Director of Design Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for the Design Engineering organization supporting thermoformed medical packaging solutions

This role is responsible for building and leading a high-performing engineering team focused on innovative product development, package design, tooling, and successful commercialization. The Director will champion engineering excellence, drive continuous improvement, and ensure customer-focused, cost-effective packaging solutions that meet the demanding quality and regulatory requirements of the medical device and healthcare markets. This position plays a critical role in accelerating new product introductions, advancing technical capabilities, and supporting the company's long-term growth strategy.

This is an onsite position based at our Huntley, Illinois facility. Key Responsibilities Engineering Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Design Engineering team specializing in thermoformed medical packaging. Establish the strategic vision, organizational structure, and technical roadmap for the Design Engineering function.

Foster a culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Drive employee development through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and technical training. Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across engineering, manufacturing, and global business teams.

Product Development & Design Lead the design and development of thermoformed medical packaging products, including trays, blisters, clamshells, and custom packaging systems. Drive innovation while optimizing designs for manufacturability, performance, quality, and cost. Oversee engineering activities utilizing SolidWorks, CAD technologies, 3D modeling, rendering, reverse engineering, and rapid prototyping.

Ensure packaging designs comply with customer specifications, sterilization requirements, material compatibility, and applicable medical device standards. Support design verification activities and engineering documentation throughout the product development lifecycle. Tooling & Supplier Management Direct tooling development, including mold design, qualification, and validation.

Partner with tooling suppliers and internal manufacturing teams to optimize tooling performance, quality, and delivery schedules. Resolve complex technical challenges while improving development efficiency and time-to-market. New Product Commercialization Lead the evolution of the engineering organization toward a project-driven product development model.

Manage new product introduction (NPI) activities from concept through commercial launch. Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure successful commercialization. Translate customer requirements into practical engineering solutions that support business growth and customer satisfaction.

Operational Excellence Drive continuous improvement initiatives across engineering processes, workflows, and communication. Manage departmental resources, engineering software, equipment, and technology investments. Establish and maintain engineering standards, change management processes, and design documentation practices.

Monitor emerging thermoforming technologies, materials, automation, and medical packaging trends to maintain technical leadership. Balance engineering resources to achieve objectives for quality, delivery, cost, and innovation. Lead implementation and continuous improvement initiatives within Toppan's Global Performance System (GPS).

Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Packaging Science, Industrial Design, or a related technical discipline. Minimum of 5 years of progressive engineering leadership experience within thermoforming or plastics manufacturing. Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams in regulated manufacturing environments.

Strong knowledge of thermoforming processes, tooling design, and product development. Experience leading new product commercialization and cross-functional project execution. Proficiency with SolidWorks and other CAD/design software.

Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, leadership, and customer relationship management skills. Preferred Experience designing medical device packaging, including thermoformed trays, blisters, and sterile barrier systems.

Familiarity with ISO 13485, validation requirements, cleanroom manufacturing, and medical device quality systems. Knowledge of sterilization methods, material compatibility, packaging validation, and regulatory requirements. Experience presenting technical solutions directly to OEM customers and leading design reviews.

What Success Looks Like The successful candidate is an engaging engineering leader who combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking and operational excellence. They inspire teams, foster innovation, build collaborative relationships, and consistently deliver customer-focused packaging solutions that meet the highest standards for quality, compliance, and performance. Compensation & Benefits Annual base salary: $140,000 - $160,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Eligible to participate in the Company's annual incentive bonus program. Bonus awards are based on individual and business performance and are determined at the Company's discretion. Saige Partners, one of the fastest growing technology and talent companies in the Midwest, believes in people with a passion to help them succeed.

We are in the business of helping professionals Build Careers, Not Jobs. Saige Partners believes employees are the most valuable asset to building a thriving and successful company culture. Contact us to learn more about the opportunity below or check out other opportunities at https://careers.saigepartners.com/.