Engineering Team Lead

ITW; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW is seeking an Engineering Team Leader to direct North American Applications and Engineering, coordinating with Sales, Operations and global teams to deliver customer-focused, manufacturable solutions from quote through order completion.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 7+ years in applications/design, including 2+ years in a leadership capacity. CAD proficiency (SolidWorks) and ERP/MRP experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required.
• 7+ years of applications, mechanical or electrical design experience.
• 2+ years in Engineering Team Lead or Senior Mechanical Engineering role.
• Strong project management skills and ability to handle competing priorities.
• Knowledge of custom equipment design and manufacturing methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of engineers to deliver high-quality outputs.
• Manage workload across quoting, design, and order processing.
• Oversee accurate, timely custom quotations and alignment with commercial strategy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and global Engineering teams.
• Drive standardization in quoting tools and documentation; support PCN process.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks CAD

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Job Description:

The Engineering Team Leader is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, coordination, and execution of the North American Applications and Engineering team. This role ensures the timely and accurate delivery application review and custom quotations, engineered solutions through to order completion, aligning closely with Sales, Operations, and global Engineering teams. The position bridges commercial and technical execution, ensuring solutions are customer-focused, manufacturable, and delivered efficiently, while supporting continuous improvement and standardization.

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Execution
  
  
  
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of Applications and Design Engineers to deliver high-quality outputs
  
  
  • Assign and prioritize workload across quoting, design, and order processing activities
  
  
  • Ensure balanced resource allocation to meet fluctuating sales and production demand
  
  
  • Drive accountability through clear expectations, KPIs, and regular performance reviews
  
  
  
  


• Applications (Pre-Sales & Order Processing)
  
  
  
  • Oversee the creation of accurate, competitive, and timely custom quotations
  
  
  • Ensure strong alignment between:
    
    
    
    • Customer requirements
    
    
    • Commercial strategy
    
    
    • Technical feasibility
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Support Regional Sales Managers in complex or strategic opportunities with process like:
    
    
    
    • Bid package/ URS reviews
    
    
    • Customer product performance testing
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Ensure seamless transition from quote → order → execution
  
  
  • Drive consistency and standardization in quoting tools, and documentation
  
  
  • Support Regional Sales Managers in complex, strategic, or highly customized application opportunities, including participation in the Global Technical Enquiries process
  
  
  
  


• Engineering
  
  
  
  • Oversee & contribute to the design of custom equipment for production
  
  
  • Ensure designs are:
    
    
    
    • Fit for purpose
    
    
    • Cost-effective
    
    
    • Aligned with manufacturing capabilities (DFM focus)
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Collaborate closely with:
    
    
    
    • Production
    
    
    • Manufacturing Engineering/ Quality
    
    
    • Supply Chain
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Support resolution of design-related issues during production and installation
  
  
  • Participate in the global Product Change Notification (PCN) process and ensure applicable regional changes are reviewed, communicated, and implemented
  
  
  • Collaborate with global teams (UK/CZ) where required to support alignment on technical solutions, standards, and product changes
  
  
  
  


• Cross-Functional Alignment
  
  
  
  • Act as the primary interface between Engineering, Sales, and Operations
  
  
  • Ensure engineering outputs align with:
    
    
    
    • Production capacity
    
    
    • Lead times
    
    
    • Supply chain constraints
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Support production and service teams in resolving technical challenges
  
  
  • Collaborate with global teams (UK/CZ) where required
  
  
  
  


• Process Improvement & Standardization
  
  
  
  • Identify and implement improvements to:
    
    
    
    • Quoting efficiency
    
    
    • Design processes
    
    
    • Order execution workflows
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Drive standardization and modularization of solutions where possible
  
  
  • Support ITW principles (80/20, Front-to-Back, In-lining)
  
  
  • Develop and track relevant KPIs (e.g., quote turnaround time, engineering cycle time, error rates)
  
  
  
  


• Quality & Compliance
  
  
  
  • Ensure all engineering outputs meet:
    
    
    
    • Internal standards
    
    
    • Regulatory requirements (e.g., CE, UL where applicable)
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Support resolution of non-conformances related to design or application
  
  
  • Promote a right-first-time engineering culture
  
  
  
  

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the position holder is expected to support related business, operational, and continuous improvement activities as reasonably directed by leadership.

Key Interfaces:

• Internal
  
  
  
  • Applied Technology & Engineering, Product Support & Service, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, Customer Relations, Human Resources
  
  
  
  


• External
  
  
  
  • Customers, Vendors, Suppliers
  
  
  
  

Requirements:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field


• Minimum 7 years of relevant applications, mechanical or electrical design experience


• Minimum 2 years of notable experience as an Engineering Team Lead or Senior Mechanical Engineering role.


• Project management


• Strong understanding of:
  
  
  
  • Custom equipment design, mechanically and/or electrically
  
  
  • Manufacturing methods
  
  
  
  


• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks preferable) and ERP/MRP systems


• Proven ability to manage competing priorities


• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills


• Hands‑on, detail oriented, analytical with proven problem‑solving skills

Desirable:

• Experience in the design of capital equipment for the Food and Packaging industry


• Familiarity with ITW principles (80/20, Front-to-Back)


• Experience supporting both sales and production environments

Compensation Information:

$110000-$125000

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.