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Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Argonne National Laboratory

Mechanical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$94K - $147K/yr

B.S. in mechanical, structural, or related engineering required. M.S. in engineering OR experience ... R&D. * Working proficiency with modern engineering analysis tools, including FEA (ANSYS, COMSOL ...

Owens Corning

Process Engineer R & D

West Chicago, IL · On-site

$78K - $100K/yr

Manage process development and capital projects from concept through implementation. Own end to end ... Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or ...

Owens Corning

Process Engineer R & D

West Chicago, IL

$78K - $100K/yr

Manage process development and capital projects from concept through implementation. Own end to end ... Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or ...

Labor Solutions, LLC

R & D Machinist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $75K/yr

This position works closely with engineering, production leadership, and quality teams to improve ... Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability * Ability to work independently and support ...

Abbott

R&D- Project Manager

Lake Forest, IL

$86K - $173K/yr

Bachelor's degree. * 3+ years of project management experience supporting product development, technical, engineering, software, or R&D programs. * Experience developing and managing project plans ...

Abbott

R&D- Project Manager

Lake Forest, IL

$86K - $173K/yr

Bachelor's degree. * 3+ years of project management experience supporting product development, technical, engineering, software, or R&D programs. * Experience developing and managing project plans ...

Abbott & Company

R&D- Project Manager

Lake Forest, IL · On-site

$86K - $173K/yr

Bachelor's degree. * 3+ years of project management experience supporting product development, technical, engineering, software, or R&D programs. * Experience developing and managing project plans ...

New

Abbott

R&D- Project Manager

Lake Forest, IL · On-site

$86K - $173K/yr

Bachelor's degree. * 3+ years of project management experience supporting product development, technical, engineering, software, or R&D programs. * Experience developing and managing project plans ...

Kosmos

Mechanical Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

The design work/scope required by this Senior Mechanical Engineering position encompasses the ... management for approval. • Responsibilities will include a mechanical design for a broad range of ...

Kosmos

Mechanical Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

The design work/scope required by this Senior Mechanical Engineering position encompasses the ... management for approval. • Responsibilities will include a mechanical design for a broad range of ...

Actalent

Mechanical Engineer

Bartlett, IL

$28.84 - $33.65/hr

Mechanical Engineer (Entry level 0 - 3 years experience) We are seeking a hands-on, mechanically ... AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending ...

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All JobsR&D Mechanical Engineer JobsManager R&D Mechanical Engineer JobsManager R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Manager R D Mechanical Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$46.9K

$106K

$171.5K

How much do manager r&d mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for manager r&d mechanical engineer in Chicago, IL is $105,979.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $130,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer do?

A Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer leads teams in designing, developing, and improving mechanical products or systems, often focused on innovation and new technology. They oversee research projects, manage engineering staff, and coordinate cross-functional collaboration to turn ideas into viable prototypes or products. Their responsibilities also include budget planning, project timelines, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. This role requires both technical expertise in mechanical engineering and strong leadership skills.

What are some of the main challenges faced by a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer, and how can candidates prepare to address them?

As a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer, one of the primary challenges is balancing hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, such as guiding multidisciplinary teams and managing project timelines. You will often need to foster innovation while ensuring projects adhere to budget constraints and regulatory standards. Additionally, staying updated on emerging technologies and integrating them into ongoing research can be demanding. Candidates can prepare by developing strong project management skills, cultivating effective communication strategies, and remaining adaptable to evolving technical environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer, and why are they important?

A Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer requires a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and project management tools, as well as certifications like PMP, are often essential. Strong leadership, effective communication, and strategic thinking distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for leading teams, driving innovation, and delivering successful product development projects in a competitive engineering environment.

What is the difference between Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectManager R&D Mechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; often requires experience in R&DBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeads R&D projects, manages teams, collaborates with cross-functional departmentsDesigns, develops, tests mechanical systems, works under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in R&D departments across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive industriesCommon in manufacturing, product design, and engineering firms

The main difference is that a Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer oversees R&D projects and manages teams, while a Mechanical Engineer focuses on designing and developing mechanical systems. The manager role involves leadership and strategic planning, whereas the engineer role emphasizes technical execution.

What are the most commonly searched types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings:
Manager R D Mechanical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Manager R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 94% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,979 per year, or $51 per hour.
Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL • On-site

$94K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

We are searching for a junior engineer to join the engineering team supporting the Medium Energy Physics and Fundamental Symmetry research groups at Argonne National Laboratory. The engineering team supports the full experimental program of both groups, including the design and construction of particle detectors and atomic physics instrumentation.
The main focus over the next five years will be the design and construction of the Barrel Imaging Calorimeter for the future Electron-Ion Collider and the expansion of the Argonne TRACER center, alongside other smaller experimental efforts. The position includes structured overlap with an outgoing senior engineer and is designed to grow toward a long-term lead engineering role supporting both research groups.
Position Requirements
  • B.S. in mechanical, structural, or related engineering required. M.S. in engineering OR experience in an accelerator or physics research laboratory preferred.
  • Ability to carry out mechanical design and hands-on build/assembly for large particle detector systems and other systems for physics experiments.
  • Proficiency with mechanical CAD software (Solidworks, Creo, Inventor, or equivalent).
  • Working knowledge of high- and ultra-high-vacuum systems.
  • Oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact with research scientists, laboratory support staff, and external collaborators or vendors.
  • Experience with a breadth of laboratory equipment.
  • Familiarity with laser and optical systems, and radiation and beam detectors to support detector R&D.
  • Working proficiency with modern engineering analysis tools, including FEA (ANSYS, COMSOL, SolidWorks Simulation, or equivalent).
  • Basic fluency with the physics context of detector and atomic-physics work, enough to communicate design tradeoffs with physicists (specialist physics or data-analysis expertise is not required).
  • Ability to model Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

Other: This position requires mechanical aptitude and demonstrated hands-on work (academic, internship, or professional).
This position can be hired at one of two levels; the selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (RD1 or RD2) dependent upon the depth and breadth of relevant knowledge and skills. The minimum requirements of the two levels are as follows:
  • RD1 (Assistant Mechanical Engineer): Bachelor's and 0 years or Master's and 0 years. The expected pay range for this position is $78,505 - $122,467.
  • RD2 (Mechanical Engineer): Bachelor's and 5+ years, or Master's and 3+ years, or Doctorate and 0 years. The expected pay range for this position is $94,486 - $147,399.

Job Family
Research Development (RD)
Job Profile
Mechanical/Civil Engineering 1
Worker Type
Regular
Time Type
Full time
The expected hiring range for this position is $78,505.00 - $122,467.41.
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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