Overnight Prototype Build Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Description:

The Truck Equipment Design Engineer is responsible for the design, coordination, and execution of truck equipment application projects. This role ensures equipment compatibility, installation efficiency, and technical accuracy from concept through installation, while driving continuous improvement in design and build processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, direct, and manage truck equipment application projects, including chassis layout, weight distribution analysis, equipment customization, dimensional verification, and development of electrical and hydraulic schematics.
• Lead technical review during order handoff from Sales to Installation to ensure complete compatibility between chassis and specified equipment.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize Drive Works configurators to improve accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in equipment specification and quoting.
• Promote modular design strategies and standardized solutions to improve installation efficiency and reduce complexity.
• Identify and implement process improvements in specifying, quoting, and installation workflows with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Manage custom and prototype design projects within the Applications Department, ensuring feasibility, compliance, and performance standards are met.
• Support installation teams by providing detailed drawings, work instructions, and technical guidance to ensure proper equipment integration.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements related to truck equipment and chassis systems.

Full Time Benefits

· 401K with Company Match

· Profit Sharing

· Dental, Vision, Medical Insurance

· Health Savings Account with Company Match

· Company Provided Life Insurance

· Company Provided Short Term Disability

· Company Provided Long Term Disability

· Referral Program

· Tuition Reimbursement

· Paid Time Off

· Paid Training

· Paid Holidays

· Opportunities for Advancement

· Apparel Allowance

· Safety Boot Allowance

· Prescription Safety Glass Allowance

Requirements:

Competencies

• Technical Capacity.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Customer/Client Focus.
• Communication Proficiency.
• Teamwork Orientation.
• Thoroughness.

Core Values

• Quality.
• Customer Relations.
• Loyal.
• Teamwork.
• Positive.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Work Environment

This job is operated in a professional office environment with frequent visits to the production floor. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Knowledgeable use of common measuring devices such as tape measures, squares, protractors will be used routinely.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to grip, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift to 40 pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out of the area and overnight travel may be expected. All travel must be approved in advance by management. Please refer to the employee handbook for all applicable policies.

Required Education and Experience

• 3+ years of experience in equipment design, truck body integration, mobile equipment, or related applications engineering role.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Extensive knowledge of metal fabrication processes, including material selection, welding, fixturing, finishing and assembly.
• Working knowledge of hydraulic and electrical systems, including the ability to interpret and develop schematics.
• Experience creating or modifying technical drawings and installation documentation.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to collaborate between Sales, Engineering, and Production teams.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability in custom or prototype design environments.
• Understanding of manufacturing and installation processes in a production setting.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in truck equipment, upfitting, vocational vehicles, or heavy equipment industries.
• Knowledge of truck chassis specifications (Ford, GM, RAM, Isuzu, etc.) and body builder guidelines.
• Familiarity with DOT regulations, FMVSS requirements, or industry compliance standards.
• Background in continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization)
• Experience managing prototype or low-volume custom builds.
• Exposure to ERP systems or quoting/configuration workflows.