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Senior Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Caterpillar

Senior Design Engineer - Cabs

Peoria, IL · On-site

Caterpillar's Earth Moving division is hiring for Sr. Design Engineer in Peoria, IL! Role Summary: This position will design, analyze, and test components and systems used in Caterpillar machine ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

The Senior Design Engineer provides technical expertise, mentors junior engineers, and drives design excellence throughout the product development lifecycle, contributing to successful product ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

The Senior Design Engineer provides technical expertise, mentors junior engineers, and drives design excellence throughout the product development lifecycle, contributing to successful product ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

The Senior Design Engineer provides technical expertise, mentors junior engineers, and drives design excellence throughout the product development lifecycle, contributing to successful product ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

The Senior Design Engineer provides technical expertise, mentors junior engineers, and drives design excellence throughout the product development lifecycle, contributing to successful product ...

NEOTech

Sr. Design Engineer (25905)

Naperville, IL · On-site

$125K - $135K/yr

This position is accountable to plan, design, develop and implement major plant engineering projects in order to create and maintain efficient and safe utilization of plant facilities to affect the ...

NEOTECH

Sr. Design Engineer (25905)

Naperville, IL · On-site

$104K - $143K/yr

This position is accountable to plan, design, develop and implement major plant engineering projects in order to create and maintain efficient and safe utilization of plant facilities to affect the ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design Electrical

Northfield, IL

$101K - $152K/yr

Job Summary The Senior Design Engineer researches, designs, develops, and supports complex medical devices with a focus on electrical and system design. This role provides technical leadership and ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design Electrical

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

Job Summary The Senior Design Engineer researches, designs, develops, and supports complex medical devices with a focus on electrical and system design. This role provides technical leadership and ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design Electrical

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

Job Summary The Senior Design Engineer researches, designs, develops, and supports complex medical devices with a focus on electrical and system design. This role provides technical leadership and ...

Medline

Sr Engineer Design Electrical

Northfield, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

Job Summary The Senior Design Engineer researches, designs, develops, and supports complex medical devices with a focus on electrical and system design. This role provides technical leadership and ...

GFT.

Senior Highway Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

GFT is seeking a Senior Highway Design Engineer to join our Transportation Team in Downtown Chicago or Schaumburg, IL ! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our ...

GFT.

Senior Highway Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

GFT is seeking a Senior Highway Design Engineer to join our Transportation Team in Downtown Chicago or Schaumburg, IL ! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDesign Engineer JobsSenior Design Engineer JobsSenior Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Senior Design Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$61K

$117.7K

$185.6K

How much do senior design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior design engineer in Illinois is $117,703.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,100.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior design engineer do?

A Senior Design Engineer is responsible for leading the design and development of products, systems, or components, often within engineering or manufacturing industries. They create detailed technical drawings and specifications, oversee project timelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet safety, quality, and efficiency standards. Additionally, they mentor junior engineers, troubleshoot design challenges, and may interact with clients or stakeholders to clarify requirements and present solutions. Their role combines technical expertise, project management, and leadership skills.

How does a senior design engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product development cycle?

Senior Design Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from manufacturing, quality assurance, project management, and marketing to ensure the successful development and launch of products. They lead design reviews, gather input from other departments, and address technical challenges collaboratively. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to balance design intent with practical constraints such as cost, manufacturability, and regulatory requirements. Regular meetings and iterative feedback loops are a standard part of the process, making teamwork and adaptability essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Design Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, advanced problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree in engineering. Proficiency with CAD software, simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications such as PE (Professional Engineer) are typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and project management skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure the delivery of innovative, reliable designs while leading teams and projects to successful outcomes.

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

AspectSenior Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, experience in design, possibly professional engineering licenseBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field, design experience
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, project management, cross-disciplinary collaborationDesign and development of mechanical components, CAD work, prototype testing
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, manufacturing, aerospace, automotiveManufacturing, product design, machinery development

The main difference is that a Senior Design Engineer typically has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and may oversee projects, while a Mechanical Design Engineer focuses on creating and testing mechanical components. Both roles require similar technical skills and work in related environments, but the senior position involves more oversight and strategic input.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Design Engineer jobs in Illinois?

For Senior Design Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Design Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Senior Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Senior Design Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Design Engineer jobs in IL?

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

Senior Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Design Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,703 per year, or $56.6 per hour.

Senior Design Engineer - Cabs

Caterpillar

Peoria, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, analyze, and test components and systems used in Caterpillar machine operator stations and cabs.

  • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) programs by designing products and releasing prints, and support product quality initiatives and design maintenance needs.

  • Design ROPS systems, cab non-metallic components, and collaborate with manufacturing partners in product and process design.

Caterpillar Inc. rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 489 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

273rd of 496 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

Career Area:
Engineering
Job Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
Caterpillar's Earth Moving division is hiring for Sr. Design Engineer in Peoria, IL!
Role Summary: This position will design, analyze, and test components and systems used in Caterpillar machine operator stations and cabs. Primary systems and components of focus will be steel fabrications, rollover protective structures (ROPS,) and cabin non-metallics. The candidate must effectively communicate with design counterparts, customers/clients, suppliers, and manufacturers of diverse technical backgrounds located in global locations.
What You'll Do (Job Duties)
The individual's key areas of responsibility will include, but are not limited to:
  • Provide support for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs by designing product and releasing prints
  • Provide support for product quality initiatives and design maintenance needs
  • Design ROPS systems and other cab related fabrications
  • Design cab non-metallic components such as ducts, trim and headliners
  • Support senior team member in lab-based testing and certification of ROPS and other operator protective structures (OPS)
  • Conduct structural finite element analysis (FEA) for ROPS and other components
  • Collaborate with manufacturing partners and suppliers in a continuous product and process design (CPPD) environment

What You Have (Core Skills)
  • Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
  • Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
  • Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
  • Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.
  • Computer-Aided Design & Engineering: Knowledge of tools and techniques of specialized graphics programs; ability to produce, analyze, simulate and test product design drafts.
  • Product Design and Development: Knowledge of product features; ability to design, build, and develop a new product, technology, or service from concept through to production.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, or similar, from an accredited engineering curriculum
  • CREO or other parametric modeling software experience
  • Familiarity in fabrications and/or non-metallics manufacturing processes

Top Candidates Will Also Have
  • Operator station, non-metallics, or ROPS design experience
  • Surface 3D modelling experience for non-metallics, stampings or other similar product
  • ROPS or other nonlinear FEA experience
  • Structural and dynamic linear FEA experience
  • Testing/development engineering experience

Additional Details
  • Work location: IL-Peoria-Building AH Office
  • Domestic relocation assistance IS available for this role
  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
  • Travel: Up to 10% domestic and international
  • This position requires 5 days per week in the office (M-F)

Summary Pay Range:
$112,710.00 - $169,060.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
  • 401(k) savings plans*
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
  • Health Lifestyle Programs*
  • Employee Assistance Program*
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
  • Career Development*
  • Incentive bonus*
  • Disability benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Adoption benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Relocation is available for this position.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
August 27, 2026 - September 10, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

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