Senior Engineer

Job Description:

About Us:

ITW Car Care is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), specializing in automotive aftermarket products. The division offers a diverse portfolio of brands such as Rain-X wiper blades, visibility enhancing products, and water repellent treatments, including our 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner. Black Magic to support all your wheel and tire needs including Tire Wet.

Summary:

The Senior Engineer provides technical leadership and innovation across the design, development, validation, and lifecycle management of aftermarket wiper blade products. This role ensures products meet performance, quality, durability, regulatory, and cost targets while supporting rapid aftermarket fitment, competitive differentiation, and global manufacturing scalability.

The Senior Engineer partners closely with technical development team, brand and marketing team, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and sales to deliver high-quality wiper blade solutions that meet consumer expectations, retailer requirements, and brand alignment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead engineering projects across the full product development lifecycle for aftermarket wiper blades and related products, from concept through launch and post-launch support.
• Drive product differentiation and innovation in design, materials, and performance, evaluating emerging technologies to enhance competitiveness.
• Guide design of wiper blade assemblies (rubber compounds, coatings, spoilers, adapters, attachment systems) and translate consumer and brand requirements into technical specifications.
• Define and lead validation covering performance, durability, environmental, and consumer testing
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for in-field and production issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and supplier partners on design, tooling, manufacturing readiness, and launch activities, supporting timelines, cost, and quality targets.
• Partner with supply chain and sourcing to optimize cost and simplify SKU portfolios through design reviews and VA/VE.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking and provide technical expertise to sales, marketing, and packaging teams.
• Share technical knowledge with teammates and contribute to a team culture of accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Design Engineering, or a related field.
• 3–5+ years of engineering experience in automotive engineering, consumer product development, or new product development; experience with wiper blades or automotive aftermarket products strongly preferred.
• Strong mechanical design background, including CAD, tolerance analysis, design-for-manufacturing, and familiarity with materials such as polymers, elastomers, and coatings.
• Experience developing and executing validation plans, with hands-on lab testing, root cause analysis, and quality control experience preferred.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional, fast-paced projects from concept to launch, including supplier collaboration and stage-gate/commercialization experience.
• Comfortable operating within strategic direction, with the ability to independently identify next steps and keep projects moving.
• Creative, driven self-starter with strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and excellent written, verbal, and presentation abilities.
• Proven track record building cross-functional relationships and influencing outcomes across engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Proficiency in all computer-related software packages (Microsoft Office, etc.) and additional technologies as required to move engineering projects forward.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, listening, negotiation, consultative skills and presentation skills are required with the ability to prioritize and follow up
• Must be a creative thinker, adaptable, flexible, and have a sense of urgency along with high level organizational and task planning skills.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.