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Assistant Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

CNA

Principal AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... This role operates at the intersection of AI systems engineering, developer experience, and ...

CNA

Principal AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... This role operates at the intersection of AI systems engineering, developer experience, and ...

Cna

Principal AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... This role operates at the intersection of AI systems engineering, developer experience, and ...

Cna

Principal AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... This role operates at the intersection of AI systems engineering, developer experience, and ...

Orvix Engineering

Administrative Assistant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21 - $26/hr

Experience within an engineering or technical setting is preferred, but not mandatory. Key ... * Assist in maintaining and organizing physical and electronic filing systems for projects ...

blueStone

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

Our client, located in River North, is hiring a Systems Engineer to assist with the administration and maintenance of our Linux hosting environments. In this role, you will work closely with our ...

Cna

Principal Data Engineer

Chicago, IL

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Hands-on principal engineer and distinguished technology leader responsible for the strategic ...

Zachry Group

Engineer II Projects

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$75K - $92K/yr

Review engineered drawings for consistency with work scope and address input from disciplines. * Assist engineering discipline leads to coordinate engineering and design efforts, activities, and ...

CNA

Principal Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Hands-on principal engineer and distinguished technology leader responsible for the strategic ...

Zachry Group

Engineer II Projects

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$75K - $92K/yr

Review engineered drawings for consistency with work scope and address input from disciplines. * Assist engineering discipline leads to coordinate engineering and design efforts, activities, and ...

CNA

Senior AI Engineer - Guidewire

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Lead and mentor engineering teams in using AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude, Developer ...

Cna

Senior AI Engineer - Guidewire

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Lead and mentor engineering teams in using AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude, Developer ...

InterSources Inc

Web Application Security

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60.50 - $81/hr

They are seeking a Web Application Security professional to conduct security testing, provide documentation on security policies, and assist developers with best practices. Responsibilities : • ...

CNA

Senior AI Engineer - Java

Chicago, IL · On-site

$128K - $169K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... We are looking for a Senior AI Engineer to drive adoption of AI-first software delivery practices ...

Cna

Senior AI Engineer - Java

Chicago, IL · On-site

$128K - $169K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... We are looking for a Senior AI Engineer to drive adoption of AI-first software delivery practices ...

Cna

Senior AI Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Senior individual contributor on the Developer Experience (DevX) platform team, responsible for ...

Cna

Senior AI Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$72K - $141K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... This role combines hands-on engineering, architecture, and governance, ensuring AI solutions are ...

Cna

Senior Software Engineer - Guidewire Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$56.25 - $74.25/hr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Provides technical guidance, mentors developers, supports production stability, and leverages Agile ...

CNA

Senior Software Engineer - Guidewire Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$56.25 - $74.25/hr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Provides technical guidance, mentors developers, supports production stability, and leverages Agile ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsEngineer JobsAssistant Engineer JobsAssistant Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Assistant Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$34K

$91.4K

$138.6K

How much do assistant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant engineer in Chicago, IL is $91,430.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,600.00 and $107,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant engineer?

Assistant Engineers are entry-level professionals who support senior engineers in the planning, design, development, and maintenance of projects across various engineering fields such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or software. Their responsibilities often include assisting with technical tasks, preparing reports, conducting research, and ensuring compliance with project specifications and safety standards. Assistant Engineers gain practical experience and skills under the supervision of more experienced engineers, which helps them advance in their engineering careers.

How does an assistant engineer typically collaborate with senior engineers and other team members on projects?

Assistant Engineers work closely with senior engineers, designers, and other technical staff by supporting project planning, conducting site visits, and preparing technical documentation. They often assist in problem-solving sessions and help implement design solutions under supervision. Regular communication and teamwork are essential, as Assistant Engineers frequently coordinate tasks, share updates, and seek feedback to ensure project objectives are met efficiently. This collaborative environment provides valuable learning opportunities and helps build a strong foundation for career advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Engineer, you need a solid grounding in engineering principles, analytical thinking, and a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as CAD software, project management systems, and industry-specific standards or certifications (like EIT or FE) is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication help you collaborate on complex projects and interact with stakeholders. These skills and qualifications are essential for delivering accurate technical support, ensuring project efficiency, and contributing to successful engineering outcomes.

What is the difference between Assistant Engineer vs Junior Engineer?

AspectAssistant EngineerJunior Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, often with some certificationsBachelor's degree in engineering, entry-level certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentSupports senior engineers, involved in project planning and executionPerforms basic engineering tasks, supervised by senior staff
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in construction, manufacturing, civil, and mechanical sectorsUsed interchangeably in similar industries, often as entry-level role

Assistant Engineers typically have more responsibilities in supporting project management and planning, while Junior Engineers focus on executing specific technical tasks under supervision. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Assistant Engineers often have additional certifications or experience. The roles are used across various engineering sectors and serve as stepping stones for career advancement.

How much is the salary of an assistant engineer?

The salary of an assistant engineer typically ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages.
More about Assistant Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Assistant Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Assistant Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Assistant Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Assistant Engineer job openings:

Assistant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $91,430 per year, or $44 per hour.

Principal AI Engineer

CNA

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
Individual contributor providing the highest level of technical leadership in the design, development, and scaling of CNA's AI-native agentic engineering platform. This role operates at the intersection of AI systems engineering, developer experience, and software delivery - building the foundational platform capabilities that enable the broad engineering organization to build, ship, and run high-quality, secure AI-native systems at the speed of AI. The focus is on designing and delivering agentic workflows, AI-augmented CI/CD pipelines, reusable skills and agent frameworks, and quality/security guardrails that make AI-accelerated delivery safe and scalable across the enterprise.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:
  • Acts as one of principal engineers for CNA's AI-native engineering platform, designing the end-to-end system spanning agentic coding workflows, skills and agent marketplaces, AI-augmented CI/CD pipelines, automated quality gates, and rapid environment provisioning. Leads integration of AI tooling (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot) into the software delivery lifecycle, ensuring these capabilities compose into a coherent, governed platform.

  • Designs and builds the agentic infrastructure layer - including multi-agent orchestration patterns, sub-agent frameworks, skill authoring standards, and context engineering best practices - that enables engineering teams to operate at AI-native speed without sacrificing architectural integrity or security posture.

  • Provides expert technical consultation to engineering leadership, portfolio teams, and architecture on how to adopt AI-native development practices, evaluate AI-generated code quality, and integrate agentic tooling into existing workflows. Advises on trade-offs between speed and quality, human-in-the-loop requirements, and appropriate levels of AI autonomy for different risk profiles (e.g., Sox-classified systems vs. rapid prototyping).

  • Leads the technical strategy and implementation for engineering metrics platform. Consult with senior tech leadership stakeholders to provide insights in data-driven decision making.

  • Acts as the senior technical resource mentoring engineers across the organization in AI-native engineering practices - including agentic coding patterns, context engineering, prompt-to-code workflows, and AI-assisted testing - raising the floor of capability so teams become self-sustaining without ongoing coaching dependency.

  • Researches, evaluates, and recommends AI engineering tools, frameworks, and infrastructure (e.g., eval platforms, agent orchestration systems, environment provisioning automation) aligned with CNA's strategic direction. Leads build-vs-buy analysis for platform capabilities such as CI/CD tooling, sandbox provisioning, and LLM evaluation infrastructure.

  • Partners closely with Architecture, Security, Cloud Engineering, and Data teams to ensure the AI engineering platform integrates with enterprise infrastructure (GCP/GKE, GitHub, JFrog Artifactory), meets regulatory and compliance requirements (AI model tracking, Sox controls), and scales to support hundreds of engineers and AI pod teams across all portfolios.

May perform additional duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationship
Typically Director or above
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
  • Expert knowledge in AI-native software engineering practices including agentic coding workflows (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot), prompt and context engineering, multi-agent orchestration, MCP protocol, and skill/agent authoring patterns.

  • Deep understanding of the modern software delivery lifecycle with specific expertise in how AI transforms each phase - from AI-assisted requirements and design through agentic code generation, automated testing, AI-augmented code review, and continuous deployment.

  • Proficient in building and operating CI/CD platforms (GitHub Actions or equivalent), infrastructure-as-code (Terraform), container orchestration (GKE/Kubernetes), and cloud platforms (GCP), with the ability to design pipelines that enforce quality and security gates without creating delivery bottlenecks.

  • Strong knowledge of application security engineering including supply chain security, artifact management and curation, static/dynamic analysis, secret management, and the specific attack vectors introduced by AI-generated code (dependency hallucination, model drift, prompt injection).

  • Demonstrated ability to design developer platforms and tooling that serve hundreds of engineers at varying skill levels - balancing power-user capability with guardrails that prevent misuse and maintain code quality at scale.

  • Proven ability to evaluate and integrate emerging AI technologies rapidly, with the judgment to distinguish between hype and production-ready capability. Comfortable operating in a fast-moving domain where the tooling landscape changes weekly.

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex AI engineering concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences. Able to influence engineering culture and drive adoption of new practices across a large, diverse organization including internal teams and managed service providers.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an outcomes-oriented mindset - focused on measurable improvements in delivery speed, code quality, and engineering productivity rather than tooling adoption metrics.

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's Degree with Master's preferred in Computer Science, AI/ML, or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.

  • Minimum of 9 years of solid, diverse work experience in software engineering with a minimum of 6 years in application development, including significant recent experience (2+ years) building or operating AI-augmented development tools, agentic systems, or developer platforms.

  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with LLM-based engineering tools (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or equivalent) in production engineering workflows, not just experimental use.

  • Experience in designing and scaling inner-source or platform engineering programs across large engineering organizations preferred.

  • Applicable certifications in cloud platforms (GCP, AWS), AI/ML, or security preferred.

#LI-KJ1 #LI-HYBRID
In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $97,000 to $189,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.
CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.
CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com

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