Manufacturing Engineer - Vactor Manufacturing
Federal Signal · Streator, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Federal Signal (industrial) in Streator, IL. Determine necessary equipment and process design to manufacture products in an economical manner while maintaining fit, form, function and quality standards.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, AutoCAD
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $97k–$134k.
Median of the low and high ends of 40 live postings that list pay, out of 75 manufacturing engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 74 other live manufacturing postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $87k–$112k, from 35 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 40%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 35%
- Tooling 32%
- Automation 32%
- ✓ Lean 31%
- New product launch 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for AutoCAD, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Federal Signal
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Federal SignalAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Determine necessary equipment and process design to manufacture products in an economical manner while maintaining fit, form, function and quality standards.
- ◆Provide proper documentation, training and communication of product/process related information to supervisors and shop personnel.
- ◆Work with Design Engineering to make improvements in the design of the products to reduce cost, improve quality and manufacturability.
- ◆Lead process improvement projects.
- ◆Investigate and make recommendations on the procurement of equipment to improve the manufacturing process.
- ◆Process Engineering Change Notices in a timely manner and communicate those changes to the appropriate shop personnel.
- ◆Process Engineering Change Requests in a timely manner and investigate what is being asked to be changed to make sure it is best for the company.
- ◆Improve safety in manufacturing by analyzing current and proposed manufacturing processes.
Experience and skills required
- ✓1 – 3 years experience in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Experience with AutoCAD is a plus.
- ✓Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles a plus.
- ✓Good interpersonal skills and good written and oral communication skills.
- ✓Good computer skills, with knowledge of word processing and spreadsheets.
EDUCATION REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology or related field is required.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
JOB
Benefits of Employment
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.
About us
Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) builds and delivers equipment of unmatched quality that moves material, cleans infrastructure, and protects the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers. Headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: www.federalsignal.com . Vactor Mfg. is a leading manufacturer of municipal combination catch basin/sewer cleaning vacuum trucks and industrial vacuum loaders that clean up industrial waste or recover and recycle valuable raw materials. Vactor is located in Streator, IL and is a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation.