Senior Design Engineer

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people's lives.


We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.


Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at


Work location: This position requires on-site presence in Des Plaines, IL, following a hybrid work model.

Job Summary

This role is responsible for product development from concept through production, which includes new product development, sustaining engineering support, and resolution of field problems. The individual will lead mechanical product design and/or redesign, create part assemblies, and detailed part drawings. You will lead prototyping, assembly of samples, and management of complex product test and evaluation programs. The role leads various product design/development projects and teams, collaborates with, and influences all cross functional members of the design team. You will present and communicate project status updates to management, participate in daily management meetings with the cross-functional team, and aid in mentoring / developing other engineers. In everything the Lead Design Engineer does, both in projects and daily tasks, LEAN Process methodology is applied to drive impact, streamline workflows, and improve processes.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
• Teaches and leads various aspects of the product design process including, but not limited to the development of part geometry, assembly designs and drawing generation. Design work varies from new product development to product enhancements and cost reduction activities. Develops, distributes, and/or approves engineering data in the form of Engineering Change Notices, bills of material and parts tracking. Manages collaboration with vendor partners.
• Designs parts, identifies finishing requirements for, and works with tooling vendors for the following manufacturing methods: progressive die sheet metal tooling, fabricated sheet metal and brake forming, aluminum and zinc die casting, aluminum and plastic extrusions, plastic injection molding, and spinning. Generates and tracks capital expenditure plans along with tooling vendor timelines to meet project schedules.
• Manages relationships with internal manufacturing facilities and external vendors to resolve part or assembly issues, deviation requests and bill of material corrections. Schedules and conducts pilot/preproduction runs, first article inspections, tool run-offs and plans for production release.
• Leads team meetings using the product delivery system (stage gate product development) for each major product.
• Champions concept development by initiating and developing concepts for new products from Project Charters and Specification Matrices provided by the Product Manager(s) and other avenues such as evaluation of competitive samples, documentation, and free design techniques. Ensures all concepts are manufacturable with corresponding methods utilized in the appropriate manufacturing facility.
• Continuously looks for, and actively implements process improvements related to productivity, quality, purchasing, engineering, and manufacturing; to include sourcing new or alternate processes, equipment, and/or training of manpower. Looks for advancements or changes in technology via tradeshows, technology councils, vendors or other methods.
• Develops certification and validation test plans. Submits test requests and works directly with testing groups as necessary for product evaluation. Submits prototyping requests and works directly with internal and external prototype suppliers for production of prototype components and assemblies. Reviews functional specifications, project charters and competitor's samples

Skills and Minimum Experience Required
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or a related discipline. Proven track record of success in engineering of lighting products, appliances, consumer products, or a related manufacturing field of electro-mechanical products
• Proficiency of 3D CAD and Microsoft Office programs required; SolidWorks software proficiency and CAD data management experience preferred.
• Proficiency in numerous manufacturing methods (such as stamping, fabricating, drawing, casting, injection molding, spinning, extruding of metals and plastics) and finishing techniques (such as painting, plating, anodizing, and vacuum metaling).
• Thorough understanding of applicable standards and test processes for UL/CSA, DLC, and/or Energy Star. Familiar with national and local electric codes and building construction methods.
• Proficiency in thermal testing and test methods of recessed luminaires.
• Leadership to influence and enlist the cooperation of other team members to work towards the goal of completing and implementing new product development on time, and in budget.
• Communicate verbally, in written form, and through sketches, engineering drawings, presentations, renderings, and prototypes.
• Able to work proficiently in a cross-functional team environment.
• Able to work from the Des Plaines, IL facility minimum 50% of the time.
• Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time, as needed for the role.
• Able to lift up to 75 lbs.

Travel Requirements

• 1-20%

The range for this position is $91,400.00 to $122,000. Placement within this range may vary, depending on the applicant's experience and geographic location. Acuity offers generous benefits including health care, dental coverage, vision plans, 401K benefits, and commissions/incentive compensation depending on the role. For a list of our benefits, click here.

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.


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Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io, select option 4. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.


Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.


Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor, but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.


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