Production Engineer - I
North American Lighting · Paris, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $55k–$82k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 24 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level production role at North American Lighting (automotive) in Paris, IL. NAL provides advanced lighting technology, engineering design expertise, and state-of-the-art production capabilities to auto makers based in North America and around the world.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Robotics
- Base pay
- $55k–$82k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $101k–$150k. This one lists $55k–$82k.
Median of the low and high ends of 29 live postings that list pay, out of 50 production 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 49 other live production postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 45% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 7+)
Typical $100k–$147k, from 25 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 48%
- Team leadership 32%
- ✓ Root cause 30%
- EHS / safety 28%
- Six Sigma 26%
- ✓ New product launch 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Robotics, 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 Production team at North American Lighting
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Toni → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- 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.
This plant: North American Lighting in Paris
6 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in production roles at North American Lighting.
- Production Technician - Supervisor 2nd shift · Production · Supervisor
- Process Engineer - Sr · Process
- Manufacturing Engineering Technician - III · Manufacturing · Senior
- Packaging Engineer - I · Manufacturing
- Equipment Engineer - I · Manufacturing
- Supplier Quality Engineer - I · Quality
Full description from North American LightingAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Who We Are
North American Lighting Inc., member of the Koito Group of Companies, is the largest tier one automotive exterior lighting manufacturer in North America. As the market share leader in exterior automotive lighting, NAL provides advanced lighting technology, engineering design expertise, and state-of-the-art production capabilities to auto makers based in North America and around the world.
Our Opportunity
North American Lighting (NAL) is looking for a Production Engineer - I to join our team. The ideal candidate will plan, design, and implement production processes, ensure new product designs can be manufactured, and maintain the molding processes in production.
Your Priorities
- •Provides day-to-day technical support for the molding process in the plant.
- •Supports new launch development activities for assigned departments.
- •Addresses internal and external customer complaints, conducts investigations, develops root cause analysis, determines countermeasures, and documents — using NAL problem solving methods.
- •Supports mold trials prior to molds arriving at NAL including interface with Tool Engineering and outside tool shops, including domestic and international travel to outside tool shops.
- •Leads and/or participates in continuous improvement activities targeted to facilitate improvements in quality, productivity, and safety; and reductions in scrap and machine downtime.
- •Develops and updates/improves check sheets for all production equipment for preventative maintenance and machine condition.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Your Background
- •Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline, plus 0 - 2 years of related manufacturing experience OR
- •Associate’s Degree, plus 2 – 4 years of related manufacturing experience.
Experience in multi-color molding and robotics for an automotive manufacturer is preferred.
At North American Lighting
Team Member Benefits
World class health insurance plans
Award winning 401k plan
Relocation assistance
Paid time off (vacation, sick, holidays, etc)
Supplier discounts (wireless, computer, vehicle, etc.)
Company sponsored wellness program including gym reimbursement
Diversity at NAL
The mission of NAL’s Diversity Committee is to facilitate NAL’s ongoing and continuing efforts to foster a culture and atmosphere of mutual respect, for the benefit of all Team Members from different backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities that represent our communities.
You can learn more about NAL and our opportunities at jobs.nal.com.
Location: Paris Plant