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Computational Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

This role sits at the intersection of engineering fundamentals, computational modeling, and real-world manufacturing impact. As a senior individual contributor, you'll lead the development of process ...

Senior Bioinformatics Engineer Compensation: $125K - $200K base + 0.25% - 0.5% equity stock options ... Statistical Analysis - Lead design, execution & documentation of reproducible computational ...

DevOps Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$53.25 - $72.75/hr

We help researchers solve some of the world's largest and most complex problems with our unique combination of supercomputing resources and computational science expertise. The ALCF seeks a DevOps ...

DevOps Engineer

Lemont, IL · Hybrid

$53.25 - $72.75/hr

We help researchers solve some of the world's largest and most complex problems with our unique combination of supercomputing resources and computational science expertise. The ALCF seeks a DevOps ...

Senior Quantitative Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$180K - $225K/yr

Improve pricing accuracy, computational efficiency, and performance under high-throughput market ... Collaborate with engineering and trading teams to define technical requirements and deliver ...

Showing results 21-40

Computational Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$47K

$117.8K

$133.2K

How much do computational engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for computational engineer in Illinois is $117,751.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $108,000.00 and $127,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Computational Engineer, you need a strong background in mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering principles, typically supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C++, or MATLAB), experience with simulation software (like ANSYS or COMSOL), and familiarity with high-performance computing environments are essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help set top performers apart in this field. These skills are crucial for developing accurate models, optimizing complex systems, and effectively collaborating in multidisciplinary teams.

What is a computational engineer?

A computational engineer is a professional who uses advanced computing techniques and mathematical models to solve complex engineering problems. They develop simulations, algorithms, and software to analyze and optimize systems in fields such as aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, and more. Their work often involves programming, data analysis, and applying principles from physics and mathematics to create efficient solutions. Computational engineers bridge the gap between traditional engineering and computer science, enabling innovation through technology.

How does a computational engineer typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on complex projects?

Computational Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from various disciplines such as mechanical engineers, data scientists, and software developers. Effective collaboration often involves translating engineering problems into computational models, communicating technical requirements, and integrating simulation results into broader project workflows. Regular meetings, shared documentation, and collaborative software tools are commonly used to ensure alignment and progress. This team-based approach helps deliver accurate and actionable insights for product design, optimization, or research objectives.

What do computational engineers do?

Computational engineers develop and apply mathematical models, algorithms, and simulations to solve complex engineering problems. They often use programming languages and software tools to analyze data, optimize systems, and support design processes across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy.

How much do computational engineers make?

Computational engineers typically earn a median salary ranging from $80,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in programming, simulation, or data analysis can command higher salaries, especially in high-demand sectors like aerospace, defense, or technology companies.

What is the difference between Computational Engineer vs Software Engineer?

AspectComputational EngineerSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields; knowledge of programming and numerical methodsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields; strong programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, engineering firms, tech companies; often involves simulation and modelingTech companies, startups, software firms; focuses on application development and system design
Industry UsageEngineering, aerospace, automotive, scientific researchIT, software development, technology services

Computational Engineers and Software Engineers share programming skills and work in tech-related environments. However, Computational Engineers focus more on applying computational methods to engineering problems, simulations, and modeling, while Software Engineers primarily develop software applications and systems. Both roles require strong technical backgrounds but serve different industry needs.

What job categories do people searching Computational Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Computational Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Computational Engineer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Computational Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Computational Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,751 per year, or $56.6 per hour.

Senior Research Scientist I/II, Computational Biology & Toxicology

AbbVie

North Chicago, IL • On-site

$94K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago


AbbVie rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 100 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

The Computational Toxicology group is dedicated to advancing in-silico approaches that improve the prediction and mechanistic understanding of drug safety across small molecules, biologics, and emerging modalities. This role sits at the intersection of biological science and computational innovation - and that intersection is intentional.

We are looking for a scientist with deep domain knowledge in biology who has also developed computational skills to independently design, build, and deploy data-driven solutions. The ideal candidate can stand at the bench conceptually, understand what drives experimental variability, and architect computational solutions that reflect biological reality.

The role focuses on integrating diverse data sources - including pharmacology, toxicology, genomics, pathology, chemistry, and clinical datasets - into predictive and interpretable models. You will work directly with research scientists to understand their workflows, co-design solutions, and build tools that make computational capabilities accessible to generalist scientists across Development Sciences.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a scientific translator between wet-lab researchers and computational infrastructure - understanding experimental design, data provenance, and biological context well enough to ensure fit-for-purpose solutions
  • Engage directly with scientists to understand existing laboratory and analytical workflows, identify bottlenecks, and co-design computational solutions that are practical, reproducible, and scalable.
  • Develop user-friendly tools, pipelines, and applications designed for scientists without a computational background, enabling broader Development Sciences teams to leverage computational insights
  • Partner with research scientists, data scientists, and safety experts to design, implement, and validate machine learning/AI strategies that address key discovery and preclinical safety questions.
  • Curate, harmonize, and integrate multi-modal datasets including chemical, genomic, molecular, in vitro, pathology, and clinical sources, into scalable workflows that support safety insight generation and risk prediction
  • Translate computational findings into predictive models, analytical tools, and user-friendly applications that support decision-making in drug discovery and development.

Clearly communicate methods and results to multidisciplinary stakeholders, tailoring messages for both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications
  • Senior Scientist I Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and typically 10 years of experience OR Master's Degree and typically 8 years of experience, OR PhD and no experience necessary.
  • Senior Scientist II Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and typically 12 years of experience OR Master's Degree and typically 10 years of experience, OR PhD and 4 years of experience
  • PhD in Computational Biology, Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related life science field, with meaningful exposure to computational methods through coursework, dissertation research, or applied experience. Postdoctoral or industry experience preferred
  • A genuine scientific foundation in biology - whether through formal training, research experience, or applied industry work - sufficient to critically evaluate experimental data, identify biological confounders, and contextualize computational outputs in mechanistic terms.
  • Scientific coding fluency in Python (preferred) or R. We do not expect a software engineering background - we expect the ability to write clean, functional, reproducible code in service of scientific questions.
  • Working knowledge of machine learning applied to biological or safety datasets, with the ability to select and justify methods based on scientific context, not just algorithmic performance.
  • Strong foundation in statistical and applied analytical methods, including hypothesis testing, Bayesian inference, regression, multivariate, and time-series analyses.
  • Expertise in advanced machine learning, including deep learning, supervised/unsupervised clustering, and classification algorithms (e.g., SVMs, random forests, gradient boosting).
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate computational approaches and results to non-computational scientists, including presenting analytical strategies and translating findings into actionable scientific insights.
  • Preferred

  • Demonstrated experience working with pathology and/or safety datasets; familiarity with integrating histopathology, clinical pathology, or safety study data into computational workflows.
  • Hands-on wet lab experience (e.g., experimental design, assay development, or mechanistic biology studies) that informs a deeper understanding of data generation, variability, and biological constraints.
  • Experience with scalable computing (parallelization, cloud platforms) and database querying for large biological datasets.
  • Experience with generative AI (GANs, VAEs) or large language models (LLMs) in a scientific context.
  • Experience in data visualization and interface development, with an emphasis on presenting biological and safety-related data intuitively for non-technical users.
Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: 

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. 

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. 

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html


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About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013