Associate Design Engineer

AHEAD; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Caregiver Leave

Job summary

AHEAD Foundry is an end-to-end integration center delivering design, integration, and deployment of enterprise IT infrastructure—from the data center to the edge—with deep engineering expertise. The LAUNCH program starts with a 3-month training in our Foundry Engineering team, after which you work on client and internal projects based on skill and business needs.

We value curious, proactive engineers and offer a path to grow into technical and consulting expert roles within a

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechatronics Engineering or similar by 1/11/2027.
• Experience with embedded systems.
• Experience with metal enclosure fabrication.
• Interest in hands-on product development, design validation, and manufacturing processes.
• Attention to detail with drawings, measurements, test results, and parts.

Responsibilities

• Support design validation activities, including thermal analysis, airflow evaluation, and electrical compatibility check.
• Assist with research and development by investigating manufacturing methods, materials, and processes.
• Support mechanical design activities by reviewing and creating 2D drawings, assisting with First Article Inspection (FAI), taking physical measurements, and contributing to DFMA reviews.
• Communicate with vendors to obtain part quotes, coordinate samples, and verify that supplied parts meet design requirements.
• Document test results, measurements, design findings, and vendor feedback clearly and accurately.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, manufacturing partners, and other stakeholders to identify and resolve design or production issues.

Skills

Embedded systems

Metal enclosure fabrication

Hands-on product development

Design validation

Excellent documentation

Education

Mechatronics Engineering degree

Job description

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.

At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.

We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.

LAUNCH - Join AHEAD's Associate Development Program

Our Mission: to attract and develop a diverse community of THE top IT consulting talent in the country and build AHEAD's next generation of leaders.

LAUNCH serves as the foundation to develop our talent into high potential leaders at AHEAD. By exposing you to a variety of career paths and building your acumen across different practices in the business, we're accelerating your growth and career trajectory at AHEAD.

Our development program is built on a foundation of technical training, completion of certifications, and shadowing, all supported by an ecosystem of AHEADians that will be part of your Launch journey, every step of the way! You'll grow and develop key skills that will support your development as a technical and consulting expert. If you're ready to begin an exciting career in IT Consulting, LAUNCH is where you should be!

Associate Design Engineer - Foundry

(Internally known as an Associate Technical Consultant)

AHEAD Foundry is an end-to-end integration center delivering design, integration, and deployment of enterprise IT infrastructure-from the data center to the edge-with deep engineering expertise.

Paired with Hatch for lifecycle visibility, Foundry provides pre-deployment configuration, rack integration, warehousing and kitting, and global logistics to reduce risk and accelerate time to value.

As an Associate Design in LAUNCH, you will start out in a 3-month training program within our Foundry Engineering team. Upon completion of LAUNCH, you will have the opportunity to work on client and internal projects based on skillset, personal interest, and business needs.

Who we're looking for: Think Big, Learn, and Be Curious

• Innovative Thinkers
• Enthusiastic Collaborators
• Creative Problem Solvers
• Curious Self - Starters

Responsibilities

• Support design validation activities, including thermal analysis, airflow evaluation, and electrical compatibility check.
• Assistwith research and development by investigating manufacturing methods, materials, and processes.
• Support mechanical design activities by reviewing and creating 2D drawings,assistingwith First Article Inspection (FAI), taking physical measurements, and contributing to Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) reviews.
• Communicate with vendors to obtain part quotes, coordinate samples, and verify that supplied parts meet design requirements.
• Document test results, measurements, design findings, and vendor feedback clearly and accurately.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, manufacturing partners, and other stakeholders toidentifyand resolve design or production issues.

Competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities)

• Degree in Mechatronics Engineering or similar by 1/11/2027.
• Experience with embedded systems.
• Experience with metal enclosure fabrication.
• Interestin hands-on product development, design validation, and manufacturing processes.
• Attention to detail when working with drawings, measurements, test results, and parts.
• Willingness to learn across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and manufacturing disciplines.
• Ability to manage multiple design-support activities in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent documentation and presentation skills.
• Basic understanding of computer architecture and server hardware components.
• Ability to communicate effectively with teams and build positive relationships.
• Demonstrate drive and proactiveness to get things done, manage competing priorities, be solutions-oriented, and enjoy solving complex problems.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness, curiosity, creativity, courage, critical thinking, and a desire to use technology to search for new and innovative solutions to problems.
• Exercise sound reasoning, ingenuity, and inclusive perspectives to analyze issues, solve problems and make recommendations.
• Existing U.S. work authorization is required.

Work environment

The work environment is in mainly an office environment. There are times when the employee must be in a production environment that has a higher noise level, brighter lights, and warm/cold air flow.

Physical demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Position type and expected hours of work

This is a full-time position in office, and hours of work and days are typically 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday - Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel

Willingness to travel to support client projects and shadow opportunities up to 25% of the time

The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings ("OTE") for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

We are unable to consider candidates who require visa sponsorship for this role.

Why AHEAD:

Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.

We fuel growth by stacking our office with top‑notch technologies in a multi-million‑dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.

USA Employment Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid company holidays
• Paid time off
• Paid parental and caregiver leave
• Plus more! See benefits https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for additional details.

Use of AI:

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses, or to capture recordings and create transcriptions or summaries during interviews. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please refer to the Candidate Privacy Notice or contact us at [e-mail].

You may opt‑out of the review or analysis of your application and resume by AI tools by using the General Application. Please include the role you wish to apply for in the Additional Information field. You may also choose to opt‑out of recording and transcription at any time, including after joining an interview. Candidates will not be penalized for choosing to opt‑out.