New Product Development - Project Engineer

Cullerton Group; Romeoville (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a full-time Sr. NPD Project Engineer based in Romeoville, IL. This role involves leading engineering design efforts, developing test strategies, and ensuring compliance with internal standards while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, at least 5 years of design experience, and proficiency in CAD modeling. Strong communication skills are essential. Competitive compensation package offered.

Qualifications

• 5 years of hands-on engineering design and development experience.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling and finite-element simulations.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and material behavior.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering design efforts and projects.
• Develop test strategies and coordinate qualification programs.
• Verify designs against standards and customer specifications.

Skills

Engineering design

CAD modeling

Finite-element simulations

Strong communication skills

Understanding of manufacturing techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

3D parametric CAD software

Job description

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Sr. NPD Project Engineer in Romeoville, IL. The work will be onsite. For the first three months, the schedule will require being onsite five days per week. This is a full‑time, permanent position. Total compensation is $150K per year (base salary + bonus).

We are seeking a Sr. NPD Project Engineer who will play a key role in advancing new product initiatives from concept through release. This position supports product introduction activities by coordinating with cross‑functional partners, guiding segments of the design cycle, and helping ensure technical milestones are met on time and within scope.

What You Will Do

• Lead defined portions of the engineering design effort, completing assigned work, providing support to teammates, and helping keep projects aligned with schedule expectations.
• Build project timelines, organize activities, and independently oversee low‑complexity projects.
• Estimate resource needs and prepare budget inputs for your areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to fulfilling all requirements within the company’s product realization and Stage‑Gate development process.
• Verify that designs comply with internal standards and customer specifications while encouraging mistake‑proof assembly and manufacturability.
• Develop test strategies, coordinate internal and external qualification programs, and ensure all testing follows pre‑test calculations and established plans.
• Assemble and evaluate prototype components or subassemblies as part of validation efforts.
• Analyze test results, perform engineering calculations, and ensure outcomes satisfy technical criteria.
• Conduct engineering analysis on new product designs and on updates to existing components.
• Perform structured root‑cause investigations and support corrective actions for products or processes.
• Produce technical reports, documentation, material requirements, and summaries of engineering activity.
• Work with suppliers and purchasing to review, qualify, and select components and assemblies.
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing, sales, service, and marketing teams.
• Collaborate with customers to clarify requirements or resolve concerns related to design or manufacturability.
• Offer direction and guidance to engineers, drafters, designers, and technicians assigned to your projects.
• Follow established procedures for maintaining CAD models, drawings, and databases.
• Participate in drawing reviews and provide final approval of drawings within your scope.
• Confirm that chosen materials, components, and processes meet reliability and cost objectives.
• Perform other engineering tasks as needed.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• At least 5 years of hands‑on engineering design and/or development experience.
• Background working on complex, highly technical projects where new challenges arise regularly.
• Proficiency with 3D parametric CAD modeling.
• Experience running finite‑element simulations and evaluating designs across mechanical, thermal, or multiphysics conditions.
• Strong knowledge of mechanisms, linkages, springs, dynamics, statics, and material behavior.
• Understanding of manufacturing techniques including molding, machining, casting, stamping, and forming.
• Familiarity with structured product development methodologies such as Stage‑Gate.
• Ability to write clear engineering documentation, test reports, and technical specifications.
• Ability to read and apply industry standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong communication skills across technical.

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Electrical Equipment Manufacturing