Senior Mechanical Engineer at Federal Signal Corporation in University Park, Illinois

Job Description:

Federal Signal has an immediate opening for a Senior Mechanical Engineer based at our University Park, Illinois facility. This position will assist in making decisions on engineering problems and issues, requiring the use of advanced techniques and the adaption and extension of theories and practices of their own field and related disciplines. Develops innovative solutions to engineering problems and issues of diverse scope. Guides project and coordinates product designs and/or implementations. Work requires the use of the latest design and analysis techniques and practices of own and related disciplines. Work impacts achievement of business unit goals. Has demonstrated track record of consistent and successfully completed assignments.  May represent the business unit on projects and perform in a technical leadership role within a project team. May lead other engineering personnel.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops layouts concepts, parameters and designs for new and existing product re-designs.


• Uses mathematics, statistics, dynamics and other engineering disciplines for calculations and evaluation of alternatives for current product design and their functionality in current product designs.


• Performs analysis as required to insure meeting product performance and reliability requirements.


• Conducts feasibility studies and prepares preliminary cost estimates of designs and redesigns.


• Assists in generating detail specifications of the individual components of the new design and replacement components in end of life and in cost reductions projects.


• Communicates with vendors where engineering is required to develop specifications for components and processes.


• May write rough draft of changes to customer instruction sheet.


• Fabricates mockups and builds working prototypes of new products.


• Works with Quality Control in approving vendor's parts.


• Writes Engineering Change Requests and product structures.


• May assist Purchasing, Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Assurance in vendor selection.


• Perform product evaluations to determine if engineering standards are met


• Works with and assists operations, industrial/test engineering, and other engineering function personnel during the course of design projects to achieve desired outcome.


• Flexibility to perform other duties and assignments as required.


• Summarizes research and development work in a report and specification.


• Provides design guidance and instructions on design principles for Engineer I level engineers.


• Develops engineering specifications for materials or processes through research and/or supervision of tests programs.


• Assist in the development of work instructions that convey design intent to the assembly process.


• Coordinates project progress by monitoring performance of designers, drafters, and other personnel.


• Troubleshoot product systems as required and works directly with technicians and assemblers to resolve issues.


• Provide engineering support to Field Service to assist in resolving warranty and performance issues.


• Understand multi-level product Bill of Material structure to effectively develop options and/ or accessories to support product sales.


• Evaluate product cost reduction proposals to determine feasibility.


• May include travel to the field and/ or trade shows.


• Perform product evaluations to determine if engineering standards are met.


• Reviews and approves Service Publications


• Develop project plan(s) for small-to-medium engineering projects


• Serve as a resource to others in the Engineering Department


• Develop new engineering standards based upon revised product criteria


• Develops, revises, and maintains product specifications for product developments and communicates these requirements to individuals and groups.


• Determines, specifies, and incorporates design requirements into the design specifications to achieve optimum efficiency at consistent quality levels.


• Participates with other departments and functions and/ or leads project teams on a broad range of business unit processes, projects, and coordinates activities on the assigned product lines.


• Conceives, creates, devises, and supervises the design of parts, subassemblies, and final assemblies.


• Initiates and evaluates new product ideas and concepts to determine feasibility with respect to technological availability, life cycle, and cost.


• Develops, revises, and maintains new product development and team guidance plans in terms of product cost estimates, project cost estimates, and schedules.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in related engineering discipline from an accredited university.


• 5 or more years of engineering experience. Advanced degree desired.


• Knowledge of basic principles, theories, and concepts


• Broad application of principles, theories, and concepts in applicable discipline, plus working knowledge of other fields.


• Sufficiently understands customer requirements and delivers results that meet these needs.


• Possesses strong verbal and written communications skills


• Strong solid modeling skills, Solidworks preferred


• Good understanding of sheet metal, injections molding and die cast tool design for automotive components.

Benefits of Employment

In addition to excellent career growth opportunities, Federal Signal Corporation offers a wide array of benefits including: annual bonus potential, insurance (life, medical, dental, vision), paid holidays, paid vacation, 401(k) with matching contributions and tuition reimbursement. We provide our employees with a smoke-free, drug-free workplace.

Company Description

Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) provides products and services to protect people and our planet. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer, manufacturer and supplier of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems.

Federal Signal in University Park is a leading manufacturer and supplier of comprehensive systems and products used to protect people and property. Our products and integrated solutions include systems for campus and community alerting, emergency vehicles, first responder interoperable communications, industrial communications, and command and municipal networked security. Specific products include: lightbars and sirens, public warning sirens and public safety software. We manufacture our safety and security systems in the United States, Europe and South Africa.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category, characteristic, or trait under applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at 630-954-2000. All other applications must be submitted online.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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