Engineering Rotational Development Program

Job Details

Location:

Smalley LZ - Lake Zurich, IL

Position Type:
Full Time

Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Job Shift: Office

Job Category:
Engineering

Smalley is the global manufacturing leader of precision metal formed products known for our Spirolox® retaining rings and Crest-to-Crest® wave springs. Our success is propelled by our inventive spirit, devoted team members, extensive engineering proficiency, and technical ability cultivated by over 100 years of manufacturing excellence. We supply to industries including aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, robotics and industrial machinery supporting over 70% of the Fortune 500 global manufacturers.

We are proud of our commitment to delivering innovative, high‑quality products, relentless pursuit of improvement, and unwavering dedication to providing excellent service to our valued customers.

At Smalley, we take pride in cultivating an inclusive work environment that values creativity, collaboration and diversity. We believe in our associates' unique perspectives that they bring to every challenge, which is why we empower you to push the boundaries of what is possible. We are committed to nurturing an enjoyable work atmosphere demonstrated through Spirit Days, Cancer Awareness events, health and wellness activities and fun sports opportunities.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package:
  Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k match, Life insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, PTO and more.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional growth.
• Ongoing learning and training and development opportunities.
• Company and department led team‑building activities and events.

Smalley's Engineering Rotational Development Program is designed for 2026 graduates or recent graduates with 1 to 2 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering or related disciplines who want accelerated, hands‑on development in a manufacturing environment.

The program is a two‑year, full‑time, multi‑rotation offering planned rotations across five core engineering and operations areas, providing broad exposure to how Smalley designs, manufactures, inspects and delivers its products.

• Build core engineering and manufacturing knowledge.
• Increase understanding of product flow from concept through production.
• Develop cross‑functional communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Prepare participants for long‑term technical or operational roles.
• At the conclusion, participants transition into a permanent engineering role aligned with their strengths, interests and business needs.

• Product Application Design
• Sales Engineering
• Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering and production environments
• Quality Engineering/Quality Systems and inspection operations
• Machine Design, automation and tooling

Throughout the program, participants benefit from hands‑on, on‑site engineering experience, exposure to real manufacturing challenges, continuous improvement initiatives, collaboration with experienced engineers, operations leaders and cross‑functional teams, and ongoing coaching, feedback and professional development support.

The program is intentionally designed to balance technical depth with organizational breadth, enabling participants to understand both the why and the how behind Smalley's engineering and manufacturing decisions.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline, graduating in 2026, or 1–2 years of post‑graduate engineering experience.
• Ability to work onsite and engage directly with engineering teams.
• Strong communication, organizational and prioritization skills for a fast‑paced environment.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis.

• Internship or co‑op experience in manufacturing, quality, operations or industrial engineering.
• Exposure to Lean/continuous improvement and basic data analysis.
• ERP/MRP exposure (nice‑to‑have).

• Curious, hands‑on learner comfortable on the floor and in…