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Associate Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Associate

Woodridge, IL · On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

Hendrickson is searching for an Engineer to join their Current Products Team. This individual will be responsible for managing all technical aspects of assigned projects. Responsibilities include but ...

Junior Traffic Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$26.59 - $46.54/hr

Parsons has a career opportunity for an Associate Engineer with an interest in traffic and transportation engineering to join our growing team. This role provides strong opportunities for ...

Associate

Cary, IL

$116K - $140K/yr

Associate Location: Cary, NC Overview DB Global Technology, Inc. seeks an Associate in Cary, NC to ... Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or a related field or equivalent and three (3) ...

Senior Cybersecurity Engineer

Chicago, IL

$118K - $161K/yr

Pair with Mid and Associate engineers, run design reviews, give substantive code/config review, and grow the next tier. Quality of output from less senior engineers is part of your scope.

The Associate Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting the daily quality activities including inspection, testing, ensuring quality system compliance, reduction of waste/non-conforming material ...

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Associate Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$42.8K

$85.1K

$136K

How much do associate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate engineer in Chicago, IL is $85,127.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $97,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate engineer?

Associate Engineers are entry-level engineering professionals who support more experienced engineers in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining various projects in their field. They typically work under supervision and assist with tasks such as drafting technical documents, conducting research, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Associate Engineers often gain practical experience and training to advance to higher-level engineering roles as they develop their skills.

What is the difference between Associate Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAssociate EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; entry-level certificationsBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; professional licensure (optional)
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and support roles in engineering teams; often in office or lab settingsDesign, analysis, and manufacturing in industrial or construction settings
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level position across various industries like manufacturing, construction, and techDesign and development roles primarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

The main difference between an Associate Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on supporting engineering tasks, while Mechanical Engineers have more experience and handle complex design and analysis responsibilities. Both roles require a bachelor's degree, but Mechanical Engineers often pursue licensure for advanced roles. The choice depends on your experience level and career goals within engineering fields.

What are some typical challenges associate engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to industry roles?

Associate Engineers often find the transition from academic projects to industry roles challenging due to differences in project scope, teamwork dynamics, and pace. In industry, you’ll likely work on larger, multi-disciplinary teams where effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Additionally, projects often have stricter deadlines and require adherence to established processes and standards, which may be less emphasized in academic settings. Embracing continuous learning and seeking mentorship from senior engineers can help ease this transition and set you up for success.

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

To thrive as an Associate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and basic project management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate technical solutions and contributing effectively to engineering projects.
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 job categories do people searching Associate Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Associate Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Associate Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 89% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,127 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

2026 Associate Electronics Engineer - Rolling Meadows IL

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

$72K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 537 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
At the heart of Defining Possible is our commitment to missions. In rapidly changing global security environments, Northrop Grumman brings informed insights and software-secure technology to enable strategic planning. We're looking for innovators who can help us keep building on our wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies that fuel those missions. By joining in our shared mission, we'll support yours of expanding your personal network and developing skills, whether you are new to the field or an industry thought-leader. At Northrop Grumman, you'll have the resources, support, and team to do some of the best work of your career.
Northrop Grumman is seeking Associate Electronics Engineers. This position will be located at our Mission Systems Sector in Rolling Meadows, IL.
The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman's Manufacturing Engineering, IRCM Sensor group.
Job specific roles and responsibilities:
  • Perform hands-on troubleshooting of various sensors and associated test equipment
  • Support the production floor and test technicians with timely technical guidance
  • Analyze test failures and failure data to identify trends
  • Support root cause investigations and implement corrective actions
  • Identify continuous improvement opportunities

Basic Qualifications:
A candidate must meet ALL of the below criteria. The candidate must:
  • Be completing or has completed their Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Be majoring in or having majored in an Engineering degree
  • Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
  • The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
  • Experience using test equipment (Oscilloscopes, DMMs, Waveform Generators, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
  • Experience working in a manufacturing environment
  • Familiar with IRCM Sensor product line

Salary Range:
$72,700.00 TO $109,100.00
campusjobs
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939