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Contract Design Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Review engineering drawings, contract documents, RFIs, and project submissions for quality, accuracy, and completeness. * Provide technical guidance on roadway design, highway geometrics, drainage ...

... contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the mission-critical systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe, secure, and connected. We're ...

NEXCOM Senior Systems Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

... contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the mission-critical systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe, secure, and connected. We're ...

... contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the mission-critical systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe, secure, and connected. We're ...

NEXCOM Senior Systems Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

... contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the mission-critical systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe, secure, and connected. We're ...

... contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the mission-critical systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe, secure, and connected. We're ...

NEXCOM Senior Systems Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

... contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the mission-critical systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe, secure, and connected. We're ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Design Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$13

$37

$64

How much do contract design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract design engineer in Illinois is $37.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.94 and $51.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract design engineer?

A Contract Design Engineer is a professional who designs and develops products, systems, or components on a temporary or project-based contract. They typically work for multiple companies or clients, applying engineering principles to create efficient and functional designs. Responsibilities may include CAD modeling, prototyping, and collaborating with teams to meet project requirements. Contract roles offer flexibility and varied experience but may require frequent job searching.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract design engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, proficiency in CAD software, and a relevant engineering degree such as mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. Familiarity with industry-standard design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks), project management platforms, and certifications like PE or Chartered Engineer status are often preferred. Strong problem-solving, time management, and effective communication skills help in collaborating with cross-functional teams and meeting project deadlines. These abilities are essential for delivering high-quality design solutions on a contractual basis, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.

What are the typical work arrangements and expectations for a contract design engineer?

Contract Design Engineers often work on specific projects with defined durations, which may require flexibility in both location and hours depending on client needs. You might work independently or as part of an engineering team, collaborating closely with project managers, clients, and other stakeholders to deliver design solutions within set timelines. The role frequently involves juggling multiple projects simultaneously, requiring adaptability and strong organizational skills. This variety can provide exciting opportunities to expand your technical expertise, build a robust professional network, and gain exposure to diverse industries and design challenges.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Design Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Design Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Contract Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Contract Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Design Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,388 per year, or $37.7 per hour.

Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: SAP TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time Description 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. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security.

Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission.

The Multidomain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division (MSTS), located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, develops operational Electronic Warfare (EW) and targeting systems that provide situational awareness, self-protection, and offensive electronic attack capability to platforms across the spectrum from visible light IR to millimeter wave RF. By joining us, you'll work on projects that help safeguard our nation related to land forces, rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military electronic warfare systems, communications systems, missile warning systems and sensors, infrared counter-measure systems (IRCM), automatic test equipment, modeling and simulation, and situational awareness programs

The Hardware Engineering organization plays a key role in developing these solutions. The Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and requirements through design, implementation, test verification, production, and field support while working in integrated product teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management.

Digital subsystem and circuit card designs utilize the latest FPGA technologies from all major vendors and device families including Xilinx, Altera, and Actel, and support high speed interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and processor interfaces. Job Description: As a Principal/Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer, you will join our diverse team and be responsible for research, design, and development of digital hardware products.

Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level design and test, and project leadership are desired for this position. Researches, designs, develops, and tests a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including radar and radiation detection equipment; radio, television and other communications equipment and systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers; and control and test equipment. #MSRMTA This position may be filled at either a Principal or Sr.

Principal Digital Design Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below. This position will be full-time, on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.

This position is contingent upon Funding/Contract award, special access program and acquiring and maintaining the necessary US Government security clearance per customers' requirements prior to start. Basic Qualifications for a Principal Digital Design Engineer: - Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 5 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline and 3 years of digital electronics design experience. - Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration - Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces.

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or less team members. - Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications. - Familiarity with documentation revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen - Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start. Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal Digital Design Engineer: - Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 8 years of digital electronics design experience or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline and 6 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Extensive digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration. - Extensive hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high-speed interfaces - Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or more team members. - Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation, revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest. - US Citizen - Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret clearance with additional customer specified clearance prior to start. Preferred Qualifications: - Advanced degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum 10 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Working knowledge of Electronic Warfare systems. - Experience in Aerospace and/or Defense industries. - Recent circuit card design experience utilizing circuit-related tools including Cadence Concept, Allegro, and/or Mentor DxDesigner, Expedition.

- Working experience with ClearCase/ClearQuest and DOORS Current Secret or Top-Secret Security Clearance. - Proven skills to include: team leadership, mentoring others, communicating with all levels of an organization internally and externally, being adaptable, creative, collaborative and also comfortable working independently and enjoying solving difficult problems. Primary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00 Secondary Level Salary Range: $135,800.00 - $203,600.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business. 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