Mechanical Design Engineer (Chicago)

Position Overview

We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design, testing, and prototyping of innovative industrial machine tools within the field of additive manufacturing (AM) . This role focuses on developing unique components and systems that support advanced manufacturing processes. The engineer will contribute to CAD modeling, prototyping, and validation while helping develop cost-effective manufacturing solutions.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with mechanical design, strong familiarity with fabrication and machining processes, and a solid understanding of additive manufacturing principles. Responsibilities include developing CAD models and engineering drawings, creating test plans and test fixtures, and supporting the validation of new designs.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform development engineering work under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Research, design, develop, and test equipment used in additive manufacturing systems.
• Design and develop mechanical solutions related to powder conveyance, optical calibration, laser control, and gas flow.
• Estimate component manufacturing time and analyze the impact of design changes on production.
• Determine optimal machine parameters for part processing.
• Apply statistical process control methods and conduct machine reliability analysis.
• Inspect finished components to ensure quality and dimensional accuracy.
• Prepare engineering documentation, reports, and technical records.
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to product development efforts, including Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) initiatives.
• Develop CAD models and detailed engineering drawings.
• Create and execute test plans and build test fixtures to validate mechanical designs.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and cost-effective.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited university.
• 2–5 years of hands-on experience in mechanical design , preferably with a focus on mechanism design.
• Proficiency with Creo and Windchill .
• Experience with parametric CAD modeling and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.
• Familiarity with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) , GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) , and related analysis tools.
• Experience with metal cutting, CNC programming, machine setup, and part processing .
• Basic knowledge of metallurgy .
• Experience with additive manufacturing is a plus.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.