Design Engineer

ITW Automotive Group; Frankfort (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is seeking a Design Engineer for its Deltar Fasteners division in Frankfort, IL. The role focuses on leading engineering projects, designing plastic fasteners, and collaborating with customers and suppliers throughout the product lifecycle.

You will develop high-performance, cost-effective solutions, transfer knowledge across OEM accounts, and ensure designs meet specifications. Strong CAD and FEA skills, plus travel willingness, are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related scientific discipline.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with strong drive for results.
• Knowledge of plastic products in automotive environments.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks and/or NX).
• Experience with or ability to learn FEA tools.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager for assigned projects, coordinating efforts with the sales team and customers.
• Create preliminary concepts and detailed engineering drawings.
• Develop innovative design concepts for automotive fasteners and assemblies.
• Evaluate designs for feasibility and manufacturability.
• Conduct research to enhance product performance.
• Benchmark competitive products for differentiation.
• Prepare and submit patent applications for novel designs.
• Collaborate with global teams and suppliers.

Skills

Project management

Engineering design

3D CAD

FEA tools

Patent applications

Customer collaboration

Manufacturing knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

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.

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

• 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.