Design Engineering Manager

Sterling Engineering; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 3% Match

Medical

HSA

AD&D Insurance

Disability Insurance

Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Program

Relocation Assistance

PTO

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a cross‑functional team focused on product optimization, manufacturability, and delivering projects on time and within budget. You will mentor design engineers, estimators, and project managers, driving cost targets and BOM accuracy across the lifecycle.

Collaborate with Sales, Production, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure successful execution from concept through production, support New Product Introduction, and advance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of engineering experience in wood, metal, or mixed-material manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading engineers, estimators, project managers, or technical teams.
• Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD software, preferably Autodesk Inventor and Vault.
• Experience developing and maintaining Bills of Materials (BOMs) and ERP/PDM systems.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes involving wood, metal, plastics, glass, and composite materials.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to travel up to 25% as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a cross-functional engineering team including Design Engineers, Estimators, and Project Managers.
• Drive optimization of custom and standard fixture designs to meet customer requirements, manufacturability goals, and cost targets.
• Oversee product development and continuous improvement efforts for proprietary product lines.
• Translate customer requirements and specifications into manufacturable, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Maintain BOM accuracy and ensure CAD and Vault data integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with Sales, Production, Quality, and Purchasing teams to ensure successful project execution from concept through production.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) efforts and transition projects into manufacturing.
• Conduct project reviews with leadership teams, providing updates on progress, risks, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Ensure designs meet fit, form, and function requirements while considering tolerances, manufacturability, material selection, safety, and cost.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering processes, efficiency, and profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Vault

ERP/PDM systems

Job description

Salary: $120,000 - $145,000/year + Bonus Potential

Benefits: 401(k) with 3% Match, Medical, HSA, AD&D Insurance, Disability Insurance, Parental Leave, Tuition Reimbursement, Referral Program, Relocation Assistance, PTO

Our client is a growing manufacturer specializing in custom and standard fixture solutions for a variety of industries. They are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a cross-functional engineering team focused on product optimization, manufacturability, and delivering projects on time and within budget. This individual will play a key leadership role in driving collaboration between Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Sales while supporting continued innovation and company growth.

Job Duties

• Lead and mentor a cross-functional engineering team including Design Engineers, Estimators, and Project Managers.
• Drive optimization of custom and standard fixture designs to meet customer requirements, manufacturability goals, and cost targets.
• Oversee product development and continuous improvement efforts for proprietary product lines.
• Translate customer requirements and specifications into manufacturable, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Maintain BOM accuracy and ensure CAD and Vault data integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with Sales, Production, Quality, and Purchasing teams to ensure successful project execution from concept through production.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) efforts and transition projects into manufacturing.
• Conduct project reviews with leadership teams, providing updates on progress, risks, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Ensure designs meet fit, form, and function requirements while considering tolerances, manufacturability, material selection, safety, and cost.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering processes, efficiency, and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design, or a related technical field required.
• 8+ years of engineering experience within wood, metal, or mixed-material manufacturing environments.
• Previous leadership experience managing engineers, estimators, project managers, or technical teams.
• Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD software, preferably Autodesk Inventor and Vault.
• Experience developing and maintaining Bills of Material (BOMs) and ERP/PDM systems.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes involving wood, metal, plastics, glass, and composite materials.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to travel up to 25% as needed.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.