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Contractor Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Structural Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

M2E is seeking a staff structural engineer with 1-3 years of experience. Responsibilities include ... Collaborate directly with architects, contractors, owners, and other design professionals ...

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, or related fields (Master's or MBA preferred ... The Contractor will work directly with client teams, assess operations, troubleshoot issues, and ...

Qualifications: · Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, or related fields (Master ... The Contractor will work directly with client teams, assess operations, troubleshoot issues, and ...

Requirements Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, or related ... The Contractor will work directly with client teams, assess operations, troubleshoot issues, and ...

Coordinate material testing, review contractor submittals, requests for information, and coordinate ... Engineer In Training (EIT) Preferred * Master's Degree in Construction Management Desirable

Showing results 41-60

Contractor Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$48

$90

How much do contractor engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for contractor engineer in Chicago, IL is $48.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.92 and $62.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contractor engineer?

Contractor Engineers are professionals hired on a contract basis to provide engineering services for specific projects or timeframes, rather than as permanent employees. They can work in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, IT, and energy, performing tasks such as design, project management, and technical consulting. Contractor Engineers bring specialized skills to a project, often filling short-term gaps or handling peak workloads. Their contracts may vary in duration and scope, depending on the needs of the client or project.

What is the difference between Contractor Engineer vs Construction Manager?

AspectContractor EngineerConstruction Manager
CredentialsEngineering degree, relevant certificationsEngineering or construction management degree, certifications
Work EnvironmentOn-site project execution, technical oversightOn-site and office coordination, project planning
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, engineering companiesConstruction firms, general contractors
Primary FocusTechnical engineering tasks, ensuring design complianceProject management, scheduling, budget control

Contractor Engineers focus on technical engineering aspects and on-site project execution, while Construction Managers oversee overall project planning, coordination, and management. Both roles are essential in construction projects but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges contractor engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Contractor Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can make time management and prioritization challenging. Coordinating with various stakeholders, such as clients, subcontractors, and suppliers, requires strong communication skills and the ability to quickly resolve conflicts or delays. Additionally, adapting to shifting project requirements and maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards can add to the complexity. Successful Contractor Engineers typically rely on detailed scheduling, clear documentation, and proactive problem-solving to keep projects on track.

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

To excel as a Contractor Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, project management, and relevant industry experience, often supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering and professional certification (e.g., PE license). Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools like MS Project, and compliance with safety and building codes is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams set outstanding Contractor Engineers apart. These competencies ensure projects are designed, executed, and delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget.

How much do contractor engineers make?

Contractor engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often work on a project basis or hourly rates, with specialized skills and certifications influencing compensation.

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

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

Infographic showing various Contractor Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,972 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

$120K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Clayco rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

The Electrical Engineer II will develop and prepare detailed electrical installation drawings for building systems and provide engineering support during construction. All engineering is to be done in compliance with all applicable electrical and building codes, customer requirements and company engineering/design standards. Support projects within the industrial & commercial business units including Food & Beverage, Chemical Manufacturing, Consumer Products, E-commerce, and healthcare.

The Specifics of the Role

  • Develop conceptual and detailed electrical designs in medium & low voltage power distribution, lighting, and special systems.
  • Create power plans, grounding plans, lighting plans, single line diagrams, and panel schedules using Revit and AutoCAD.
  • Develop electrical equipment specifications including switchgear, transformers, MCCs, and panels.
  • Prepares short circuit, ampacity, and voltage drop calculations.
  • Produce electrical load studies and utility service size estimates.
  • Provide electrical support to designers throughout the BIM modeling process.
  • Assist in preparing project scopes of work, electrical specifications, and reports.
  • Consults with vendors and reviews project shop drawings for design accuracy and contract requirements.
  • Provides technical support to project managers, field personnel, estimators, and customers.
  • Assist in updating internal electrical standards and specifications.
  • Meet with A/E teams to review designs and coordinate scope items.
  • Review information shared by other disciplines to confirm equipment data power requirements.
  • Review and approve contractor submittals and RFIs.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
  • 5+ years of applicable experience.
  • Completion of FE exam a plus.
  • Basic knowledge of National Electrical Code and applicable Building Codes
  • Ability to work in Revit, AutoCAD, and Navisworks.
  • Understanding of short circuit current evaluation and arc flash analysis a plus.
  • Basic knowledge of engineering analysis software such as ETAP, SKM, or EasyPower a plus.
  • Basic working knowledge of the Electrical Construction industry.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Products including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
  • Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communications skills.

Some Things You Should Know

  • This position is based in our St. Louis, MO office.
  • No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
  • We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
  • The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

  • 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
  • 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
  • 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
  • 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
  • 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders - Data Center Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

  • Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

  • The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $120,000-155,000+/- annually (not adjusted for location).

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