Find & Apply For Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Downers Grove, Illinois

• About the Opportunity
• A well-established precision gear manufacturer with decades of success is seeking a Process Engineer to join its engineering team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys working directly on the manufacturing floor, improving machining processes, launching new products, and collaborating with production to solve complex manufacturing challenges. You'll play a key role in developing efficient manufacturing methods for precision-machined components while driving continuous improvement across CNC machining operations.

• Responsibilities
• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for precision machined gears and mechanical components Create and maintain process routings, work instructions, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation Support new product introductions from engineering release through production launch Design and improve tooling, fixtures, workholding, and manufacturing methods Evaluate machining processes to improve cycle times, quality, throughput, and cost Collaborate with CNC programmers, machinists, quality, production, and engineering teams to troubleshoot manufacturing issues Review engineering drawings, GD&T, and customer specifications to determine manufacturing requirements Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions for process-related issues Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and productivity Support ECNs, process changes, and documentation updates within the ERP/MRP system Participate in PFMEA, process validation, and manufacturing readiness activities Provide technical support to production personnel and assist with complex machining challenges •Qualifications •Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field 2+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience within a CNC machining environment Experience supporting precision machining, metal manufacturing, or gear manufacturing preferred Strong understanding of CNC milling, turning, grinding, or gear cutting processes Ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T Experience developing manufacturing routings, work instructions, and process documentation Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems Excellent troubleshooting and cross-functional communication skills •Preferred Experience •Precision machining or gear manufacturing Aerospace, defense, industrial equipment, or heavy manufacturing Fixture and tooling design Process validation and new product introduction Continuous improvement, Kaizen, or Lean initiatives •What You'll Receive •Competitive salary based on experience Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits 401(k) with company match Paid vacation and holidays Long-term career growth with a financially stable manufacturer Collaborative engineering environment with high visibility and impact Opportunity to work on complex, precision-manufactured products supporting critical industries