Senior Mechanical Engineer

A growing, employee-owned manufacturer in Mokena is seeking a high-level Engineering Manager to lead and oversee R&D-focused operations. This organization designs and produces specialized search and rescue equipment used worldwide. This role is part of a planned succession, as the current engineering leader is expected to retire within the next year, offering a unique opportunity for long-term growth and leadership impact.

• Lead and manage day-to-day engineering and R&D activities
• Drive new product development and continuous improvement initiatives
• Oversee design, testing, and validation of products
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, production, and leadership teams
• Mentor and develop engineering team members
• Maintain a hands‑on presence in both development and production environments

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or related preferred)
• 7+ years of engineering experience, with leadership or management responsibilities
• Strong background in R&D and product development
• Experience in a manufacturing environment
• Proven ability to lead projects and teams effectively
• Hands‑on, solutions-oriented mindset

• Employee‑owned company with strong culture and stability
• Clear path to senior leadership through succession planning
• Opportunity to work on impactful, real‑world products used globally