Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Product Development

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer - New Product Development

Reports To: Mechanical Engineering Manager

Location: Aurora, IL

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer within the New Product Development (NPD) team, you will lead the design, development, prototyping, and deployment of innovative packaging systems. This role is critical in transitioning early-stage concepts into scalable, manufacturable solutions, working closely with cross‑functional teams from category manager, manufacturing, procurement, and electrical engineering. Responsibilities and projects include technology development and application to machine and system design from concept through commercialization.

The candidate will work in a dynamic and collaborative environment as part of a team and will be held directly accountable for delivering results quickly and continually. The position requires a self‑motivated and enthusiastic individual that is driven to directly contribute to beating the competition. This role focuses on early‑stage development encompassing rapid concept generation, prototyping, and analysis at our Aurora, IL location and close collaboration with engineering teams across sites.

• Design and develop advanced packaging machinery using Solid Works and ePDM, ensuring safety, performance, reliability, and cost‑efficiency.
• Generate unique concepts that solve customer challenges followed by execution of prototyping and field testing to validate customer needs.
• Develop proof of concept prototypes to quickly assess design feasibility.
• Engage directly with customers and internal teams to uncover challenges and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Generate and review detailed drawings, assemblies, and BOMs, and manage data within ERP systems.
• Apply first principles of engineering including heat transfer, material selection, and force/load analysis.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers on system integration, component selection (motors, sensors), and sequencing.
• Work with engineering directors and category managers to translate customer needs into measurable design requirements based on critical to success factors.
• Design for relevant safety and compliance standards (CE).
• Present and release design documentation, analysis, and layouts for internal and external stakeholder review.
• Work with machinery in the field, troubleshoot, and implement long‑term design solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement by analyzing field feedback, competitive equipment, and emerging technologies.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in machine design; packaging machinery preferred.
• Electro‑mechanical machine design experience required.
• Pneumatics machine design experience preferred.
• Hands‑on prototyping in R&D lab/manufacturing environment required.

• Advanced 3‑D CAD modelling skills for part design, assemblies, and tolerance analysis. Solid Works preferred.
• High proficiency with engineering drawing creation and standard best practices, including GD&T.
• Experience with rapid prototyping methods (3D print, quick‑turn metal fab, internal shop fab) and proof‑of‑concept model creation.
• Ability to work hands‑on with projects in a research and development environment.
• Problem‑solving mentality with ability to think creatively to troubleshoot machine issues, design constraints, and other roadblocks.
• Detail orientated, strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize.
• Self‑starter with excellent communication skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to partner with internal customers.
• Prior experience with tools, fixtures and data acquisition devices is a plus.
• Experience with firmware, software is a plus.
• Experience with packaging consumables such as poly and paper is a plus.

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one…