Job Description

Design / Manufacturing Engineer (Emerging Engineering Leader)

Built for the floor. Built for the future.

We are a well-established, highly respected manufacturing organization in the Chicago Heights area seeking a hands-on Design / Manufacturing Engineer who is ready to step into leadership. This is a rare succession opportunity: you will work side-by-side with a long-standing engineering leader who is retiring. The goal? Absorb decades of institutional knowledge in a matter of months and carry the torch forward.

This is not a desk-only engineering role. We need someone who is as comfortable at a CAD station as they are on the shop floor, collaborating with machinists, troubleshooting processes, and driving improvements in real time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead design for manufacturability and process improvement initiatives

• Support production through hands-on troubleshooting and continuous improvement

• Oversee engineering documentation, projects, and cross-functional coordination

• Begin stepping into leadership and mentoring responsibilities

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience

• Strong CAD background (SolidWorks preferred)

• Experience in machining or metal-based manufacturing

• A natural leader ready to grow into an Engineering Manager role

This is a unique opportunity to learn from a 30-year veteran and step into a long-term leadership position within a stable, established manufacturing environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.