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Permanent Additive Manufacturing Jobs in Chicago, IL

Tooling Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation and additive ... S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export ...

Permanent Additive Manufacturing information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.4K

$100.5K

$158.1K

How much do permanent additive manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for permanent additive manufacturing in Chicago, IL is $100,497.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,400.00 and $124,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a permanent additive manufacturing specialist?

A Permanent Additive Manufacturing specialist is a professional who works with advanced 3D printing technologies to create durable, long-lasting components and products. They focus on using additive manufacturing processes, such as selective laser sintering or direct metal laser sintering, to produce parts that meet strict performance and quality standards for permanent use. These specialists are often employed in industries like aerospace, automotive, and healthcare, where customized, high-strength parts are required. Their role involves design, material selection, process optimization, and quality control to ensure the final products are reliable and meet industry regulations.

What does a permanent additive manufacturing specialist do?

In a Permanent Additive Manufacturing role, daily responsibilities often include operating and maintaining 3D printing equipment, designing and preparing digital models for production, and performing quality checks on finished parts. Team members regularly collaborate with engineering, quality assurance, and production teams to ensure that components meet specifications and project timelines. Troubleshooting machine issues and keeping detailed records of production runs are also important parts of the job, helping to ensure consistent output and continuous process improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a permanent additive manufacturing specialist?

To thrive as a Permanent Additive Manufacturing Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, materials science, and 3D printing technologies, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, additive manufacturing machines, and industry certifications such as those from ASTM or SME is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork help professionals excel in optimizing designs and troubleshooting production issues. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring innovation, quality, and efficiency in advanced manufacturing environments.

What is the difference between Permanent Additive Manufacturing vs 3D Printing Technician?

AspectPermanent Additive Manufacturing3D Printing Technician
CredentialsCertifications in additive manufacturing, CAD, and materialsCertifications in 3D printing and CAD
Work EnvironmentIndustrial settings, manufacturing plantsLaboratories, workshops, production facilities
Industry UsageHigh-volume production, aerospace, automotivePrototyping, small-scale production, research

Permanent Additive Manufacturing involves designing and producing durable, functional parts using advanced 3D printing technologies in industrial environments. 3D Printing Technicians focus on operating and maintaining 3D printers for prototypes and small-scale projects. While both roles require knowledge of CAD and 3D printing, Permanent Additive Manufacturing emphasizes large-scale, permanent parts production, whereas 3D Printing Technicians typically handle smaller, experimental, or prototype work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Additive Manufacturing jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Additive Manufacturing jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Permanent Additive Manufacturing jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Permanent Additive Manufacturing job openings:

Tooling Engineer

Koch Industries

Naperville, IL • On-site

$105K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Koch Industries rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

Your Job
Molex, LLC is seeking a Tooling Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will drive manufacturing excellence for precision injection molding and tooling across Molex's global network. This role partners closely with Product Development, Quality, and Supply Chain to enable scalable, high-reliability solutions that meet customer and business needs.
Location: This role is ideally based in Lisle, IL, with flexibility to be located in Hudson, WI or Eden Prairie, MN.
Our Team
Molex brings together innovation and technology to deliver electronic solutions to customers worldwide. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex offers a full suite of solutions and services for many markets, including data communications, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, commercial vehicle and medical.
What You Will Do
  • Lead technical development and optimization of injection molding processes for high-precision, high-volume components
  • Partner with Product Development teams to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost, and performance (DFM)
  • Define and implement robust process validation strategies (IQ/OQ/PQ, DOE) to ensure repeatability and capability
  • Drive tooling strategy from prototype through production, including mold design reviews and qualification activities
  • Collaborate with global internal sites and external suppliers to build and improve molding and tooling capabilities
  • Utilize simulation tools (e.g., Moldflow) to predict performance, reduce risk, and accelerate product development cycles
  • Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives to resolve quality or process issues
  • Ensure alignment with Molex quality systems, including PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, and SPC methodologies
  • Evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation and additive manufacturing, to improve speed and cost
  • Influence supplier performance through technical leadership, audits, and capability development

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
  • 7+ years' experience in injection molding and tooling
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams and global suppliers

What Will Put You Ahead
  • Experience in precision or micro-molding applications
  • Strong background with simulation tools (Moldflow or similar)
  • Exposure to automation, digital manufacturing, or Industry 4.0
  • Six Sigma or demonstrated use of statistical methods

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.
For this role, we anticipate paying $105,000 - $145,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Who We Are
As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).

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