Mechanical Engineer III - Custom Development

Focal Point, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

PTO

Disability

Parental Leave

401K with company match

Job summary

A leading lighting solutions provider in Chicago seeks a Mechanical Engineer III to customize luminaire designs and ensure compliance through regulatory testing. The role involves collaborating with manufacturing teams, leading advanced development initiatives, and managing multiple projects. Candidates should have 5-10 years of engineering experience, a Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, and expertise in 3D CAD software like SolidWorks. The position offers a salary range of $85,000 - $105,000 plus bonuses and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of professional engineering work experience, preferably in custom development.
• Experience with sheet metal, casted, and injection-molded part design.
• Lighting industry and optics design experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced custom development initiatives for complex technical applications.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Service, Industrial Engineering, and Regulatory teams.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting established lead times.

Skills

3D CAD software expertise

Ability to interpret and apply GD&T

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem-solving

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Customer-focused

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Focal Point is seeking a Mechanical Engineer III to join our Custom Development team, playing a key role in delivering world-class luminaire designs. This position focuses on customizing existing products to meet customer specifications by leading design and engineering efforts, including prototyping and validation, ensuring compliance through regulatory testing, and collaborating closely with manufacturing teams to confirm production readiness. Additionally, the role involves setting up business systems to ensure operational efficiency and successful implementation. Reporting to the Custom Engineering Development Leader, this role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative lighting solutions in a dynamic, cross‑functional environment.

• Lead advanced custom development initiatives for highly complex technical and architectural applications. Responsibilities include designing and implementing tailored solutions that integrate seamlessly with standard product architectures, while ensuring full compliance with regulatory, photometric, and quality standards.
• Develop scalable custom solutions that enable future customization, streamline operations, and enhance supply chain efficiency.
• Leverage advanced design methodologies and industry best practices to improve first-pass yield and accelerate time-to-market.
• Proactively identify risks and address potential issues early in the design cycle, while driving process improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
• Collaborate closely with Customer Service, Industrial Engineering, and Regulatory teams to ensure designs align with customer requirements and uphold the intended application objectives.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting established lead times.
• Perform peer review of designs to assist teammates and ensure best practices are followed and lessons learned are incorporated.
• Ability to lead custom development projects from concept through design, assembly, and final delivery, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction.
• Tenacious problem-solver, with an energetic approach to raising the bar. Someone the team will wish to seek/engage to solve tough design challenges.
• Self-motivated, self-directed, and able to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills – ability to forge relationships with others and align on the best decision.
• Detail-oriented, with a desire to “roll up your sleeves” to help your team successfully meet project deadlines.
• Customer-focused with a strong sense of urgency.
• Team player – demonstrated history of building rapport and quickly integrating with a new team.
• Business Acumen – the ability to quickly analyze options to formulate the best value plan.

Requirements

• 5-10 years of professional engineering work experience, preferably in custom development.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited program.
• 3D CAD software expertise, SolidWorks preferred.
• Ability to interpret and apply GD&T.
• Experience with sheet metal, casted, and injection‑molded part design.
• Experience in cost reduction related projects.
• Demonstrated success working in cross‑functional teams through projects or organizations.
• Lighting industry and optics design experience preferred but not required.
• Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000 starting base plus bonus.
• Summary of Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Disability, Parental Leave, 401K w/ company match.

Focal Point is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.