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Research And Development Design Engineer Jobs in Decatur, IL

Hydro-Gear

Mechanical Engineer

Sullivan, IL

Want to see your engineering ideas come to life at an industry-leading company? Join Hydro-Gear as ... New Product Development - Design, develop, test, and validate new products and components.

TCCI MANUFACTURING LLC

CAD Designer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$45K - $55K/yr

Role Overview The CAD Designer is responsible for creating, maintaining, and revising 3D models and engineering drawings to support product development and document maintenance. This role ensures ...

T/CCI Manufacturing LLC

CAD Designer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$45K - $55K/yr

Role Overview The CAD Designer is responsible for creating, maintaining, and revising 3D models and engineering drawings to support product development and document maintenance. This role ensures ...

RFA Engineering

Mechanical Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$65K - $95K/yr

Participate in the design, development, build, and validation of mechanical systems and components ... Research and analyze engineering requirements, specifications, test results, and field issues to ...

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All JobsResearch And Development Design Engineer JobsResearch And Development Design Engineer Jobs in Decatur, IL

Research And Development Design Engineer information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$19.4K

$93.7K

$146.5K

How much do research and development design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development design engineer in Decatur, IL is $93,671.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,200.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research and development design engineer do?

A Research and Development (R&D) Design Engineer is responsible for creating and improving products, processes, or technologies through innovative design and engineering practices. They conduct research, develop prototypes, test new concepts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring ideas from concept to production. Their work often involves problem-solving, technical analysis, and staying updated on industry trends to ensure products meet both market demands and regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research and development design engineer?

To thrive as a Research And Development Design Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, proficiency in engineering principles, and a relevant degree in engineering or a related field. Experience with CAD software, prototyping tools, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications such as Six Sigma are commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills for generating innovative solutions and working within multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are crucial for driving product innovation, ensuring technical feasibility, and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

How does a research and development design engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

A Research and Development Design Engineer often works closely with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality assurance, and marketing, to ensure that new products meet both technical specifications and market needs. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to discuss project progress, address challenges, and integrate feedback from different departments. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as the engineer must balance innovative design ideas with practical considerations such as cost, manufacturability, and regulatory compliance.

What is the difference between Research And Development Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectResearch And Development Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related engineering; often requires experience in R&DBachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering; focus on design skills
Work EnvironmentInnovative labs, R&D departments, testing facilitiesDesign offices, manufacturing plants, testing labs
Industry UsagePrimarily in R&D-focused companies, tech firms, aerospace, automotiveManufacturing, product design, engineering firms

Research And Development Design Engineers focus on creating new products and improving existing ones through innovative research, often working in labs. Mechanical Design Engineers concentrate on designing mechanical components and systems for production, working mainly in design offices and manufacturing settings. Both roles require strong engineering credentials but differ in their primary focus and work environment.

What is a research and development design engineer?

A research and development (R&D) design engineer develops new products, processes, or technologies by applying engineering principles and innovative thinking. They often use CAD software, prototype testing, and scientific methods to create and improve designs, working closely with cross-functional teams to bring concepts to production readiness.

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Design Engineer jobs in Decatur, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Design Engineer jobs in Decatur, IL are:

What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Research And Development Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Research And Development Design Engineer job openings:

Research And Development Design Engineer jobs near you

MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER

Decatur, IL • On-site

Align Production Systems
See more jobs at Align Production Systemsexternal

$73K - $99K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

ALIGN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Design Engineer II

Decatur, IL | Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION

Decatur, IL

DEPARTMENT

Engineering

REPORTS TO

Customer Program Manager

TYPE

Full-Time, Exempt


ABOUT ALIGN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Align Production Systems (APS) is an engineer-to-order capital equipment manufacturer specializing in automated guided vehicles, welding positioners, turntables, transporters, and custom material handling solutions for Fortune 500 manufacturers. Our Decatur, Illinois facility is our manufacturing hub. We run Monday through Friday, first shift only — no weekends, no holidays, no rotating schedules.

THE ROLE

The Design Engineer II owns the design and release of custom material handling equipment from concept through manufacturing handoff. This role also carries specific technical accountability for hydraulic system design and laser nesting operations, and serves as the primary on-site engineering presence for the Decatur manufacturing floor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design Engineering & Release

  • Mechanical design on ETO projects through release to manufacturing
  • Develop complete engineering packages: 3D models, fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, and BOMs
  • Manage detail and drafting; own the release process for all assigned projects
  • Coordinate with the Decatur manufacturing team to ensure a clean handoff

Hydraulic System Design

  • Design hydraulic systems including circuit layout, component selection, and schematic development
  • Select and specify valves, cylinders, pumps, manifolds, and hose assemblies
  • Serve as the engineering team's hydraulics resource for new design and post-delivery field support

On-Site Manufacturing Support

  • Serve as the primary on-site engineering presence for the Decatur floor in partnership with Manufacturing Engineer and Plant Leadership
  • Resolve floor-level technical questions, in-process decisions, and build clarifications in real time
  • Host factory acceptance testing with customer interface

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • Design engineering experience in an engineer-to-order or custom manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated hydraulic system design experience: circuit design, component selection, and troubleshooting
  • Proficiency in SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD platform
  • Experience with engineering release processes — drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing-ready documentation
  • Working knowledge of fabrication processes: laser cutting, forming, welding, and machining

Preferred

  • Familiarity with AGVs, transporters, positioners, or heavy material handling equipment
  • Experience with Acumatica ERP or similar manufacturing platforms

Apply