Senior Mechanical Engineer (Itasca)

Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer

Department: R&D MedTech & Specialty Audio

Location : Itasca, Illinois

Summary Description:

Responsible for the design, development, and delivery of electro‑mechanical components and assemblies used in high‑volume, cost‑sensitive, and high‑reliability products. This role requires strong technical depth, hands‑on design capability, and the ability to lead product development activities from concept through manufacturing. The engineer will work closely with cross‑functional teams to meet schedule, cost, and quality objectives in a lean resource environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering activities for products and subsystems of significant scope and complexity through all phases of development, from concept to production release
• Design and develop electro‑mechanical components and assemblies using appropriate materials and manufacturing processes optimized for cost, quality, and reliability
• Proactively identify technical risks and resolve issues before they escalate, applying structured problem‑solving methods
• Perform and/or review engineering analyses (e.g., FEA, tolerance analysis, thermal or structural analysis) to validate designs
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements, applicable industry standards, and internal quality systems (including ISO 9000 requirements)
• Review and approve mechanical designs, drawings, and GD&T to ensure compliance with engineering and manufacturing standards
• Create, review, and maintain engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and test plans
• Support production and sustaining engineering activities, including:
• Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)
• Root cause analysis and troubleshooting of product issues
• Value creation initiatives such as cost reduction, design optimization, and process improvement
• Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams (manufacturing, quality, supply chain, electronics, and program management) to meet project schedules and target costs
• Serve as a technical mentor and subject matter expert, supporting less‑experienced engineers as needed

Primary Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Proven ability to plan, lead, and manage mechanical engineering projects from concept through manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods (e.g., machining, molding, sheet metal, assembly) and material selection
• Experience with equipment or tooling design (e.g., small‑part handling equipment, automation, or mechatronic systems)
• Minimum of 2 years of hands‑on experience using SolidWorks for mechanical design
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision in a fast‑paced, lean environment

Preferred / Secondary Qualifications

• Background or experience in acoustics
• Experience using Windchill or other PLM systems
• Experience with Creo (Pro/Engineer)
• Familiarity with electronic components, ICs, and PCB assemblies

General Attributes

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and results‑driven
• Proactive, hands‑on problem solver with a continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to balance technical execution with project leadership responsibilities

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Knowles is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic microphones and balanced armature speakers, audio solutions, and high performance capacitors and radio frequency (RF) filtering products, serving the MedTech, defense, consumer electronics, electric vehicle, industrial, and communications markets. Our focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and global operational expertise, enables us to deliver innovative solutions across multiple applications. Knowles, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has approximately 7,000 employees at facilities located in 13 countries around the world. At Knowles, we are committed to engineering a better tomorrow through the actions we take on a daily basis. We believe that our focus on ethical, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable behavior guides our decision-making processes and helps keep us accountable. Visit us at knowles.com

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