Jobs › Xylem

Mechanical Engineer-Additive Manufacturing & Product Development

Xylem · Morton Grove, IL · $80,000–$100,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a prototype revealed a design flaw. What happened next?

What they are checking: Whether they use prototypes to learn fast and feed results back into design.

Do you prefer design work or hands-on hardware work, and how do you balance the two?

What they are checking: Whether they truly enjoy both sides, which this hybrid role requires.

What would you do

A print keeps failing partway through. How do you troubleshoot it?

What they are checking: Whether they work through settings, material and machine causes in a logical order.

Three design engineers all need prints by Friday and there is not enough printer time. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize openly and set expectations with teammates.

About the work

Tell me about your experience running large-format SLA and FDM printers. What maintenance did you handle yourself?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep printers running, since this role owns the equipment and not just the designs.

How do you decide whether a prototype part should be printed in SLA or FDM?

What they are checking: Whether they understand strength, accuracy, surface finish and speed trade-offs between processes.

How do you design a part differently when you know it will be 3D printed for testing?

What they are checking: Whether they design for print orientation, supports and tolerances so prototypes are useful.

Walk me through your post-processing steps for SLA parts.

What they are checking: Whether they know washing, curing and finishing steps that decide whether a part is accurate and safe to handle.

Which CAD tools have you used, and how do you manage file versions during fast iterations?

What they are checking: Whether they keep design files organized so the right revision gets printed.

How do you test whether a printed prototype is good enough to evaluate a design for water products?

What they are checking: Whether they know the limits of printed parts and avoid drawing false conclusions from them.

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The full job description

As published by Xylem.

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions. Xylem does not provide visa sponsorship for this position The Role: We are seeking a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to support new product development through a combination of engineering design and additive manufacturing. This role is responsible for operating and maintaining large-format SLA and FDM printers, producing high-quality prototype components, and partnering with other design engineers to rapidly develop, evaluate, and improve new products for the Xylem Applied Water product development team. The ideal candidate enjoys both designing mechanical components and working directly with hardware. They are equally comfortable creating CAD models, troubleshooting printers, post-processing prototype parts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams throughout the product development process. Primary Responsibilities • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot large-format SLA and FDM additive manufacturing equipment. • Prepare print files, optimize build orientation, support structures, and process parameters for successful prototype production. • Perform post-processing activities including cleaning, curing, support removal, sanding, machining, assembly, and inspection. • Design and modify mechanical components and assemblies using CAD software. • Support prototype development, engineering testing, and design validation activities. • Collaborate with product development engineers to rapidly iterate designs based on testing and customer feedback. • Maintain additive manufacturing equipment, materials, inventories, and laboratory organization. • Develop and document best practices for additive manufacturing processes. • Participate in design reviews and engineering problem-solving efforts. Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline. • 3 to 6 years of experience preferred • Experience with CAD software with experience in Creo preferred. • Hands-on experience with additive manufacturing and prototyping. • Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills. • Ability to manage multiple prototype requests or projects. Preferred Qualifications • Experience operating industrial SLA and FDM printers. • Knowledge of engineering drawings and GD&T • Familiarity with new product development or manufacturing engineering. • Experience with traditional manufacturing processes for sand casting, injection molding, and CNC machining. • Experience with polymer materials and all major additive manufacturing processes. The estimated salary range for this position is $80k to $100k base plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range.  At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement. #LI-JO2 Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world. At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment. Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation

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