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Pre Production Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

AHEAD

Product Engineer 1

Libertyville, IL

$80K - $120K/yr

As a Product Engineer I - Configuration Services, you will be instrumental in implementing ... pre-sales assessments for configuration-heavy opportunities. * Provide production floor support for ...

AHEAD

Product Engineer 1

Libertyville, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Product Engineer I - Configuration Services, you will be instrumental in implementing ... pre-sales assessments for configuration-heavy opportunities. * Provide production floor support for ...

AHEAD

Product Engineer 1

Libertyville, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Product Engineer I - Configuration Services, you will be instrumental in implementing ... pre-sales assessments for configuration-heavy opportunities. * Provide production floor support for ...

JLL

Staff Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Forward Deployed AI Engineer JLL | AI Engineering | Full-Time About the Role JLL is rolling out AI ... Stand up MCP servers and connectors: pre-production first, then through CDR into production.

Argonne National Laboratory

DevOps Engineer

Lemont, IL · Hybrid

$53.25 - $72.75/hr

... pre-production, and production environments. Other L2 science service teams are deploying services ... Engineer. * US citizenship: To perform the essential functions of this position successful ...

Argonne National Laboratory

DevOps Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$53.25 - $72.75/hr

... pre-production, and production environments. Other L2 science service teams are deploying services ... Engineer. * US citizenship: To perform the essential functions of this position successful ...

Argonne National Laboratory

DevOps Engineer

Lemont, IL · Hybrid

$53.25 - $72.75/hr

... pre-production, and production environments. Other L2 science service teams are deploying services ... Engineer. * US citizenship: To perform the essential functions of this position successful ...

TLN Media

Video Producer

Tinley Park, IL · On-site

  • Retirement

This position oversees the complete production processfrom creative concept and pre-production ... Original Programming Provide production and post-production support for TLN Media's original ...

TEKsystems

Platform Engineer

Lincolnshire, IL

$75 - $90/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... pre-production readiness reviews to ensure workloads are Kubernetes-native and production-ready. • Champion developer feedback loops by collecting pain points and translating them into platform ...

Socket.dev

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$103 - $139/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

CED's Senior Mechanical Engineer holds technical accountability in developing new products and ... Pre-Production, and Production OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS: * Follow all company policies and procedures

New

Shure

Senior Engineer, Supplier Quality

Niles, IL · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join Shure as a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) and play a pivotal role in shaping world ... Evaluate parts in a hands-on manner, including participation in pre-production product development ...

Shure

Senior Engineer, Supplier Quality

Niles, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Evaluate parts in a hands-on manner, including participation in pre-production product development ... ASQ certification as a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Certified Supplier Quality ...

Shure

Senior Engineer, Supplier Quality

Niles, IL · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Evaluate parts in a hands-on manner, including participation in pre-production product development ... ASQ certification as a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Certified Supplier Quality ...

Shure

Senior Engineer, Supplier Quality

Niles, IL · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Evaluate parts in a hands-on manner, including participation in pre-production product development ... ASQ certification as a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and/or Certified Supplier Quality ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPre Production Engineer JobsPre Production Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Pre Production Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$52K

$135.6K

$148.3K

How much do pre production engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for pre production engineer in Chicago, IL is $135,636.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $147,300.00 and $147,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pre production engineer?

Pre Production Engineers are professionals who plan, coordinate, and oversee the processes and activities that occur before full-scale manufacturing begins. Their responsibilities often include designing prototypes, testing materials, validating processes, and collaborating with design and production teams to ensure smooth transition from development to manufacturing. They play a critical role in identifying potential issues early, optimizing production workflows, and ensuring that products meet quality and cost standards before mass production starts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pre production engineer?

To excel as a Pre Production Engineer, you need a solid background in manufacturing processes, quality control, and product design, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, ERP systems, and industry standards like ISO 9001 is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating with cross-functional teams and ensuring production readiness. These competencies are crucial for minimizing errors, optimizing workflows, and delivering high-quality products efficiently.

What are some typical challenges a pre production engineer faces during the transition from design to manufacturing?

Pre Production Engineers often encounter challenges such as resolving discrepancies between design intent and manufacturability, ensuring that prototypes meet both quality standards and production deadlines, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to implement design changes efficiently. They must balance tight timelines with the need for thorough testing and validation, all while addressing unforeseen technical issues that arise before mass production. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are crucial as they work closely with design, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to ensure a smooth product launch.

What is the difference between Pre Production Engineer vs Production Engineer?

AspectPre Production EngineerProduction Engineer
Primary FocusPlanning, design, and preparation before manufacturing beginsOverseeing and managing the manufacturing process
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, project planning sitesFactory floors, manufacturing plants
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, CAD skills, project management knowledgeEngineering degree, process optimization skills, technical expertise

Pre Production Engineers focus on planning and designing products before production starts, ensuring readiness and efficiency. Production Engineers manage the manufacturing process, optimizing operations and resolving issues during production. Both roles require engineering backgrounds but differ in their primary responsibilities and work environments.

Are pre production engineers in demand?

Pre production engineers are in demand in industries such as manufacturing, film, and media, where planning and coordination are essential before production begins. They often require skills in project management, technical knowledge, and familiarity with industry-specific tools. The demand for these engineers depends on industry growth and project complexity.

What are popular job titles related to Pre Production Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Pre Production Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pre Production Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Pre Production Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Pre Production Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Pre Production Engineer job openings:

Pre Production Engineer jobs near you

Product Engineer 1

AHEAD

Libertyville, IL

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.
 
At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD. 
 
We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. 
 
We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD. 

As a Product Engineer I – Configuration Services, you will be instrumental in implementing enterprise-level system configurations for data center and edge hardware. You will own the process from hardware arrival through power-on, configuration, validation, and documentation, ensuring accurate and efficient delivery of configured systems to internal teams and customers. Your responsibilities include creating system configuration plans, defining and executing power-on and burn-in procedures, performing firmware and BIOS/UEFI updates, and implementing OS/hypervisor images and automation. You will collaborate closely with Program Management, Account Coordinators, Production Engineering, Manufacturing, System Verification, Sales Engineering, and clients to provide a high-quality project experience.
Essential Functions  
 

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

  

General Functions 

  • Collaborate on quoting requests with other Product Engineers, Sales Engineers, Project Managers, external client facing teams, and directly with the client as necessary for complete and accurate quotes. 

  • Collaborate on cross training with the Product Engineering Team. 

  • Collaborate with the Sales Engineering team to scope and design Foundry services as necessary. 

  • Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, System Verification engineering, to ensure proper documentation and automation in in place for projects.   

  • Support Production as needed throughout the course of projects by collaborating with Program Management, Account Coordinators and Production Engineering.   

  • Participate in the launch of new solutions, ensuring successful delivery to customers. 

  • Diagnose and resolve hardware, firmware, and software compatibility issues in coordination with customers and vendors. 

  • Conduct research on emerging technologies, including performance evaluations and benchmark testing. 

  • Respond to and resolve advanced customer technical inquiries in a timely manner. 

  • Mentor and provide guidance to other Product Engineers to support team development. 

Configuration Engineering Functions

  • Own the bench-level configuration process for enterprise servers, storage, and networking platforms from incoming inspection through final configuration sign-off. 

  • Develop and maintain system configuration plans and port mapping for single systems and small clusters, including IP addressing, VLAN assignments, and logical connectivity.  

  • Perform initial power-on, firmware/BIOS/UEFI updates, and hardware validation per project standards. 

  • Install and configure Linux and Windows operating systems, hypervisors, and base software images according to customer or internal build standards.  

  • Develop and maintain golden images, automation scripts, and configuration checklists for repeatable, high-quality builds. 

  • Diagnose and resolve hardware, firmware, and software compatibility issues in coordination with customers and vendors, escalating when appropriate.  

  • Capture and maintain configuration documentation (as-built configs, inventories, serials, IP plans, port maps) in the appropriate systems of record. 

  • Provide input to labor estimation and pre-sales assessments for configuration-heavy opportunities.  

  • Provide production floor support for configuration issues and deviations, working closely with Manufacturing and System Verification teams. 

Competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) 

  • Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with customers, technical resources, and team members to deliver successful projects. 

  • Proven ability to understand, gather, and document customer requirements. 

  • Familiarity with engineering disciplines and revision control, including engineering change management, product lifecycle management (PLM), and end-of-life (EOL) processes. 

  • Familiarity with enterprise-grade compute, storage, networking, PDU and rack hardware power, cooling (air and liquid), build methodologies, cabling, connectivity and build standards. 

  • Knowledge of x86 and ARM computer architectures, server hardware components, and computer standards. 

  • Familiarity with enterprise Gen AI use cases and hardware used for core inference and training.   

  • Knowledge of quality control and computer assembly methods. 

  • Familiarity with collaborating effectively with external vendors. 

  • Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to make decisions under pressure.  

  • Adaptability and resilience in dynamic environments. 

  • Familiarity with risk management and new product introduction (NPI). 

  • Excellent attention to detail and documentation skills. 

  • Network+ and Server+ certifications are a plus. 

Required education and experience  

  • 3+ years of experience building and designing computer components into custom built systems. 

  • 3+ years of experience building and designing enterprise level systems including Networking, Compute and Storage hardware. 

  • 3+ years of experience with Linux and Windows operating systems. 

  • 3+ years of experience creating and maintaining bills of materials (BOMs). 

  • 3+ years of experience configuring Dell, Supermicro, HPE, Lenovo, and Whitebox systems. 

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. 

The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.  
 
Why AHEAD:
 
Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.
 
We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.
 
USA Employment Benefits include: 
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
- 401(k) 
- Paid company holidays 
- Paid time off 
- Paid parental and caregiver leave 
- Plus more! See benefits https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for additional details. 
 
Use of AI:
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses, or to capture recordings and create transcriptions or summaries during interviews. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
 
If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please refer to the Candidate Privacy Notice or contact us at privacy@ahead.com. 
 
You may opt-out of the review or analysis of your application and resume by AI tools by using the General Application. Please include the role you wish to apply for in the Additional Information field. You may also choose to opt-out of recording and transcription at any time, including after joining an interview.  Candidates will not be penalized for choosing to opt-out.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.