Product Design Engineer

Location: Greater Chicago, IL Area (Addison, IL)

A pioneering leader in safety-centric product manufacturing is seeking a Product Design Engineer to spearhead innovation and product development across their expanding plastic solutions portfolio. With significant investment backing and rapid growth underway, this is a high-impact role at the intersection of engineering excellence and manufacturing innovation. Join a nimble, growth-focused engineering team that is directly influencing new product launches and technology upgrades across the organization.

This position is ideal for a hands-on product design engineer who thrives in fast-paced environments and wants to own the entire product lifecycle - from ideation and CAD to prototyping and production support. If you’re passionate about blow molding design and want to be involved in building something from the ground up, this is the perfect opportunity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the creation and manufacturing of molded plastic and rubber products using advanced techniques like extrusion blowing, injection forming, and elastomer molding.
• Generate 3D CAD models and detailed 2D drawings to support product design and tooling creation.
• Identify and assess optimal materials (such as high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and glass-filled polypropylene) based on functional performance, longevity, and producibility.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles to ensure parts are optimized for production and cost.
• Conduct FEA simulations and produce functional prototypes for testing and validation.
• Evaluate current products for opportunities to improve performance, reliability, and cost.
• Troubleshoot molding and production issues and implement effective solutions.
• Perform failure analysis and initiate corrective actions based on root cause findings.
• Partner with quality teams to resolve internal or field quality concerns.
• Partner with tooling suppliers to introduce new mold designs, evaluate prototype parts, and implement refinements based on test results.
• Evaluate new process equipment and identify automation opportunities.
• Develop jigs, fixtures, and inspection tools to improve part quality and assembly efficiency.
• Perform ROI calculations on tooling or process upgrades.
• Partner with internal teams in quality, purchasing, manufacturing, and automation to bring new products to market.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including inspection plans and SOPs.
• Participate in supplier qualification efforts for sourced components and materials.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field (or equivalent experience in plastics manufacturing).
• 3–5 years of experience designing plastic products, including hands-on exposure to blow molding.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Familiarity with FEA tools and plastic material properties.
• Experience with process technologies including injection molding and extrusion preferred.
• Strong communication skills and collaborative mindset.
• Self-motivated, curious, and driven by continuous improvement.

Why Apply:

• Work directly with leadership in a tight-knit team that values innovation and autonomy.
• Join a business in transformation, backed by major investment and scaling its operations significantly.
• Contribute to the full product lifecycle with clear visibility into your impact.
• Competitive compensation package plus discretionary bonus plus full benefits.
• Flexible work environment with opportunity for limited remote work for strong performers.

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