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Robotics Design Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer

Crete, IL ยท On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

TrackRunner Robot * Industries * Automotive & Stamping * Fossil Fuel Plants * Foundries and Hot ... Design Engineer ID: 71420316 Department: Rail Maintenance Equipment Location: Crete, IL Description ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Rolling Meadows, IL ยท On-site

$76K - $103K/yr

... robotics, or comparable electromechanical systems. โ€ข Proficiency with Onshape or another ... design reuse, platform thinking, value engineering, DFM, or DFA to improve equipment cost ...

Senior Robotics Engineer

Northbrook, IL ยท On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Position Overview As a Senior Robotics Engineer, you will design, develop, and deploy the core robotic control systems powering LightSpeed's construction automation platforms. You will work ...

Engineering Manager Position Purpose: We are seeking an experienced Senior Machine Design Engineer ... Experience designing packaging machinery such as Cartoners, Case packers, Palletizers, and Robotic ...

Robotics Tutor

Oak Lawn, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Naperville, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Chicago, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Wheaton, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Lake Forest, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Skokie, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Evanston, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

Robotics Tutor

Schaumburg, IL ยท Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Skilled at teaching robot design, sensor programming, and autonomous behavior development. Guides students through building mechanical structures, wiring electronic circuits, programming ...

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Robotics Design Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$29.9K

$108.8K

$174.1K

How much do robotics design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for robotics design engineer in Chicago, IL is $108,788.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $130,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a robotics design engineer do?

A Robotics Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing robotic systems and components. They use principles from mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to create robots that can perform specific tasks or functions. Their work involves creating blueprints, modeling designs, selecting appropriate materials, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the robots meet performance and safety standards. Robotics Design Engineers also troubleshoot and refine prototypes, ensuring their reliability and efficiency before deployment. This role is crucial in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and automation.

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

To thrive as a Robotics Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering, usually with a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Proficiency in CAD software, programming languages like Python or C++, and experience with robotics platforms such as ROS are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork skills help set candidates apart in this field. These skills ensure the effective design, integration, and troubleshooting of advanced robotic systems for diverse applications.

What are some common challenges faced by robotics design engineers when transitioning prototypes to mass production?

Robotics Design Engineers often encounter challenges when moving from prototype development to mass production, such as ensuring component reliability, optimizing designs for manufacturability, and maintaining cost efficiency without sacrificing performance. They must collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to refine product designs, address supply chain constraints, and ensure that regulatory standards are met. Effective communication and iterative testing are essential to identify and resolve issues early, facilitating a smoother transition to large-scale manufacturing.

What is the difference between Robotics Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectRobotics Design EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Robotics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; often certifications in robotics or automationBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional engineering license (PE) optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, robotics development facilities, manufacturing settingsManufacturing plants, design offices, research labs
Industry UsageRobotics companies, automation firms, research institutionsManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, product design
Common Search/ComparisonRobotics Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer

Robotics Design Engineers focus on creating robotic systems, integrating sensors, actuators, and control systems, often requiring knowledge of electronics and programming. Mechanical Engineers design and analyze mechanical components and systems, with a broader scope across various industries. While both roles require engineering degrees, Robotics Design Engineers typically have specialized skills in robotics and automation, making them distinct yet overlapping with Mechanical Engineers in certain projects.

Do robotics design engineers get paid well?

Robotics design engineers typically earn competitive salaries due to the specialized skills required, such as knowledge of mechanical systems, programming, and CAD tools. Salaries vary based on experience, education, and location but generally align with engineering industry standards for technical roles.

What do robotics design engineers design?

Robotics design engineers develop and create robotic systems, including mechanical components, electrical circuits, and control software. They use CAD software and simulation tools to design robots for applications such as manufacturing, healthcare, or exploration, ensuring functionality, safety, and efficiency.

What are popular job titles related to Robotics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Robotics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Robotics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Robotics Design Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Robotics Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Robotics Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Robotics Design Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,788 per year, or $52.3 per hour.

Associate Mechanical Design Engineer

Feather Robotics

Mundelein, IL โ€ข On-site

$77K - $105K/yr

Other

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

About the job

We're looking for an Associate Mechanical Design Engineer with experience designing and manufacturing robots at scale. You will create a novel, top-secret product for our humanoid platform, taking it from CAD to deployed reality within a tight-knit team that has been shipping units for the past year.


About Feather

Feather is a VC-backed startup assembling a world-class team to build general-purpose robots. While competitors pursue end-to-end integration, we are focused on creating the best labor platform on which others will build, monetize, and scale, fostering an ecosystem of solutions akin to Appleโ€™s or Nvidiaโ€™s.


Weโ€™ve moved through the hardware lifecycle at lightspeed -- building our first prototype in two months, fulfilling our first order in nine months (vs. 31 months for Figure), and working with a $4B revenue manufacturer. Our units are deployed across several fields today, including cooking, retail, manufacturing, and more.


Responsibilities

  • Design mechanical components and assemblies for humanoid robots, from concept through production
  • Own design for manufacturability, prototyping quickly with 3D printing and machining before developing long-term processes and materials that scale
  • Write and integrate control software for the mechanisms you design
  • Build, test, iterate, and debug on real hardware


What we're looking for

  • Hands-on robotics experience โ€“ you have built a robot or other complex electromechanical system before
  • Industry manufacturing experience (e.g., injection molding, DFM at volume) preferred
  • Fluency with CAD and rapid prototyping
  • Software fluency is a plus
  • 3D printing proficiency
  • GD&T
  • Documentation and technical writing
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field


Why Join Us

  • Be the architect of a novel humanoid platform instead of working on only one small fragment
  • Shape the future of robotics and physical AI in a talented, driven team that values ownership, speed, and creativity
  • We have the capital, the hardware ownership, and the generational upside to make this your life's work