Design Engineer

Job Description:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a diversified manufacturing company that delivers specialized expertise, innovative thinking and value-added products to meet critical customer needs in a variety of industries. ITW, with approximately 15.9 billion dollars in global revenues, operates 7 major segments with businesses in 51 countries that employ approximately 44,000 women and men. These talented individuals, many of whom have specialized engineering or scientific expertise, contribute to our global leadership in innovation. We are proud of our broad portfolio of more than 20,000 granted and pending patents.

Division Description:

ITW Deltar Fasteners serves all the major OEMs and their tier suppliers with plastic fasteners totaling approximately $280M in revenues. Locations include Frankfort, IL, Chippewa Falls, WI, and our Commercial Sales and Engineering in Troy, MI.

The division drives profitability by leveraging its innovative solutions and application engineering. In addition to ITW’s industry leading research and development capabilities, ITW Deltar Fasteners enhance our customers’ competitive advantage by:

• Maintaining advanced engineering and manufacturing facilities in NA.

• Exchanging product, process and benchmarking information with sister units worldwide.

• Continually improving processes, material and designs to ensure every product exceeds customer specifications while providing unparalleled value.

The Design Engineer will report to the Lead Project Engineer and will be responsible for leading and independently executing engineering projects, ensuring timely completion, while focused on the design and development of new automotive fasteners and fastener assemblies. Utilizing our Customer-Back Innovation process, this role emphasizes delivering high-performance, cost-effective solutions that meet customer and industry requirements. This position involves direct collaboration with customers and suppliers throughout the product development lifecycle. The Design Engineer will also be responsible for effectively transferring project knowledge and solutions across all relevant OEM accounts to ensure consistency and alignment. Key responsibilities include the application of engineering principles to the design and development of plastic fasteners, test fixtures, and custom test machines used in automotive applications.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as project manager for assigned projects, coordinating efforts with the sales team and customers to meet specific technical and performance requirements.

• Create preliminary concepts, detailed engineering drawings, and supporting technical documentation.

• Develop innovative and patentable design concepts and configurations for automotive fasteners and assemblies.

• Evaluate designs for feasibility, manufacturability, and functional performance.

• Conduct research and evaluate alternative engineering approaches to enhance product performance and meet evolving customer needs.

• Compare and analyze design alternatives to identify optimal solutions, collaborating with the Innovation team as needed to support product development initiatives.

• Perform functional and validation testing to ensure product reliability and compliance.

• Communicate with suppliers regarding material specifications and technical requirements.

• Prepare and submit patent applications for novel product designs.

• Benchmark competitive products to identify opportunities for differentiation and improvement.

• Support broader engineering and business objectives through additional tasks as assigned.

Position Skills and Experience Requirements:

To perform this role successfully, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the following areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related scientific discipline.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver effective presentations.

• Self-motivated with a strong drive for results; able to inspire and motivate others.

• In-depth knowledge of plastic products and their applications in automotive environments.

• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks and/or NX preferred).

• Experience with or ability to learn Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools.

• Strong engineering judgment and problem-solving capabilities.

• Capable of working efficiently with minimal supervision.

• Comfortable working with global teams, including flexibility to accommodate different time zones.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and cloud-based collaboration tools.

• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally, as required.

Compensation Information:

$90,000-$110,000

We offer a comprehensive benefits program that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.