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Senior Mechanical Engineer


Job Location:

Downers Grove, IL - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 102500 - 138500
Posted: 11 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 8 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country protect the individual warfighter and send rockets into outer space our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission-critical innovation.


CED is well situated in Downers Grove Illinois - we are located a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.


CEDs current salary range for this role is $102500 to $138500 / year. At CED it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions may vary based upon but not limited to education skills experience proficiency performance shift location and addition to base salary the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus commission or incentive program. CEDs benefit offerings include medical dental and vision coverage paid time off disability insurance 401(k) with company match life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages plus parental leave adoption assistance tuition assistance and employer/partner discounts. CED follows a 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off.


JOB SUMMARY:

CEDs Senior Mechanical Engineer holds technical accountability in developing new products and supporting existing legacy devices for military aerospace pyrotechnic pneumatic or electro-mechanical devices throughout the product lifecycle. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will be the specialist on complex technical and product matters.


Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Create solid models using Creo 4.0 software (with Windchill)
  • Generate detailed drawings per ANSI Y14.5M requirements by applying correct dimensional tolerances and GD&T best practices
  • Perform engineering calculations in support of technical analysis utilizing tools such as Matlab Mathcad Ansys etc.
  • Build test and evaluate prototypes
  • Lead internal and customer driven technical meetings consisting of but not limited to System Requirements Reviews (SRR) Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) Critical Design Reviews (CDR) and Production Readiness Reviews (PRR)
  • Develop technical documentation including assembly and test procedures presentations SOWs and BOMs.
  • Conduct stress and thermal analysis using FEA software and classical methods
  • Manage complex technical programs during all phases of the products life cycle
  • Support legacy production jobs through disposition of nonconforming hardware updating build documentation supporting product improvement initiatives and assisting in failure investigations
  • Maintain customer management with little or no supervision
  • Assist in proposal development by generating and reviewing management technical and cost proposal volumes
  • Provide project status updates both internal and external when required
  • Assist with the identification of project risk (cost schedule technical) for assigned engineering efforts
  • Review customer requests ensuring that they comply with project contractual agreements and dont evolve into scope creep
  • Serve as a resource for less experienced engineers who seek answers to best-practice or program-related questions
  • Perform the above functions in relation to project schedules throughout Concept Design Development Pre-Production and Production

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Follow all company policies and procedures
  • Other duties/responsibilities as assigned
  • Comply with government and corporate laws rules regulations policies and procedures

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

N/A


EDUCATION:

Bachelors degree in engineering; Masters degree in engineering preferred.


EXPERIENCE:

  • Minimum of 7 years related experience; or equivalent combination of postgraduate education and experience.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in solid modeling (preferably Creo 4.0 or higher)
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in generating detailed drawings per ANSI Y14.5M requirements with knowledge of dimensional tolerances tolerance stack-ups and GD&T best practices
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience generating engineering calculations in support of technical analysis using Matlab Mathcad Ansys etc. Strong skillset for stress analysis and FEA (finite element analysis) preferred
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience participating in a test environment including creating test procedures
  • Previous project engineering experience is required

SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Lawful US Person (ITAR restrictions)
  • Must be eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices.
  • Experience and industry knowledge with a background in energetics prime commercial contractors in the U.S. aerospace space and defense industries preferred including DoD NASA the USAF and USN desired; experience with similar devices applicable to missiles and space is preferred
  • Expertise in rigorous engineering principles and processes is a mandatory requirement
  • Familiar with principles of systems engineering
  • Knowledge of procedures in a safety-focused organization and familiarity with HSE fundamentals is required
  • Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Ability to direct and document design and test activities
  • Experience with pyrotechnic devices energetic materials or high-pressure gas systems preferred
  • Expertise in rigorous engineering principles and processes is a mandatory requirement
  • Familiar with principles of systems engineering
  • Ability to make decisions with an analytical approach; a degree of creativity and latitude is expected
  • Technical thinker but also pragmatic; quick learner and agile; willing to get involved in detail
  • Ability to handle many tasks/projects simultaneously
  • Solid interpersonal skills with the ability to easily communicate interact and build relationships with others

PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Lifting carrying pushing pulling or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or a negligible amount of weight frequently. Involves sitting much of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Use of computer.


DISCLAIMER:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and/or required.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race color religion sex age national origin disability veteran status genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.


The Know Your Rights Poster is available here: EEOC Know Your Rights

CEDs EEO Policy Statement is available here: CED EEO Policy Statement

CED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.


If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process please send an e-mail to or call and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.



Required Experience:

Senior IC