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 is responsible for 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:
Drive product differentiation through innovation in design, materials, and performance.
Ensure brand and consumer expectations are incorporated into technical requirements.
Evaluate emerging technologies (coatings, materials, structures) to enhance performance and differentiation.
Drive continuous improvement of product platforms for cost optimization, reduced SKU complexity, and faster market response.
Lead engineering projects across the full product development lifecycle for aftermarket wiper blades.
Guide system-level design of wiper blade assemblies including rubber compounds, coatings, spoilers, adapters, and attachment systems.
Establish and maintain engineering standards for performance, quality, and reliability.
Provide technical leadership in design reviews, validation, and issue resolution.
Lead cross-functional teams through concept, development, launch, and post-launch phases.
Drive project execution against timelines, cost, and quality targets with clear milestones, accountability, and risk management.
Serve as primary escalation point for technical and delivery issues.
Define and oversee validation strategies covering performance, durability, environmental, consumer testing.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for in-field and production issues.
Ensure compliance with industry standards.
Lead supplier technical engagements for new product development, manufacturing readiness, product launch, and post-launch quality.
Support tooling, process validation, and production launch activities.
Ensure consistent product quality across manufacturing sites using data-driven approaches.
Collaborate with supply chain and sourcing on cost optimization via design reviews and VA/VE.
Lead competitive benchmarking and engineering evaluation of aftermarket and OEM products to maintain market leadership.
Provide technical expertise for sales, marketing, customers, packaging, product application and consumer usability as needed.
Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, design engineering or related field.
7+ years in automotive or consumer product manufacturing (OEM or aftermarket preferred).
Experience with automotive wiper systems, automotive aftermarket, or exterior vehicle components preferred.
Direct experience with branded automotive aftermarket products.
Experience managing large SKU portfolios and rapid product refresh cycles.
Strong knowledge of polymers, elastomers, coatings, and mechanical product design.
Experience with CAD tools, tolerance analysis, and design-for-manufacturing.
Experience developing and executing design validation; hands-on lab testing preferred.
Experience with stage-gate process and product commercialization.
Exposure to lean manufacturing and cost-reduction initiatives.
Experience in quality assurance, root cause/failure analysis, and quality control.
Familiarity with global sourcing and manufacturing as well as demonstrated supplier collaboration experience.
Proven ability to work cross-functionally in fast-paced aftermarket environments.
Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional projects from concept to production launch.
Demonstrated leadership in product design and commercialization.
Strong ability to collaborate cross-functionally and build internal/external relationships.
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.
Demonstrated leadership presence with the ability to influence decisions and outcomes.
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.