Design Engineer – Wood / Millwork Focus
Location: Wood Dale, IL (On-site)
Schedule: Monday – Friday, Onsite
Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000
About the Company
Our client is a design and manufacturing organization that develops custom products and engineered solutions for commercial applications. The company combines engineering, product development, and manufacturing expertise to deliver high-quality products that meet customer requirements for performance, cost, and production timelines.
The team operates in a collaborative environment where engineering works closely with production and project teams to develop practical, manufacturable designs.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Design Engineer with experience in wood products, millwork, or cabinetry design to support the development of engineered products and assemblies. This role will focus on the design of wood-based components and structures, translating conceptual designs into detailed documentation that supports efficient manufacturing.
The Design Engineer will collaborate with internal teams to create manufacturable designs, produce engineering documentation, and ensure products meet quality, cost, and production requirements.
The salary range for this position is $70,000 – $90,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Key Responsibilities
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Design and develop wood-based components and assemblies for manufactured products
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Create 3D CAD models and detailed engineering drawings
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Produce assembly and installation drawings for manufacturing and production teams
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Develop and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs)
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Collaborate with production teams to ensure designs support efficient manufacturing and assembly
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Apply design for manufacturability (DFM) principles to improve product quality and efficiency
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Support prototype development and testing when needed
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Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement
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Work with cross-functional teams to support custom product development and engineering projects
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Manage multiple design projects while meeting timelines and quality standards
Preferred Technical Experience
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Cabinetry or architectural millwork design
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Wood materials, panel products, and engineered wood components
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Joinery methods and cabinet construction techniques
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Lamination processes and surface finishing
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Integration of hardware and multi-material components
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, Wood Product Engineering, or related field
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5+ years of engineering or product design experience in a wood manufacturing or millwork environment
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Experience working with wood-based assemblies and multi-material products
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Proficiency in 3D CAD software, preferably Autodesk Inventor or similar tools
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Familiarity with AutoCAD or comparable drafting software
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Experience working with ERP systems and BOM management
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Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
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Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced engineering environment