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Defense Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

EXPANSIA

E01-T07 Anti-Tamper Engineer

Mundelein, IL

$190K - $195K/yr

Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management ... Apply engineering principles to investigate, analyze, plan, design, develop, implement, test or ...

Actalent

Fpga Design Engineer

Chicago, IL

$55 - $80/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

FPGA Design Engineer We are seeking a skilled FPGA Design Engineer to join a leading defense organization focused on developing cutting-edge Electronic Warfare (EW), Infrared (IR), SATCOM, and RF ...

AECOM

VP, Global Growth Director - Defense (OEM)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$250K - $325K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other ... Join us. Vice President, Global Growth Director - Defense (OEM) Location: United States Role ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDefense Engineer JobsDefense Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Defense Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$37.5K

$108K

$167.3K

How much do defense engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense engineer in Chicago, IL is $108,003.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,547.00 and $133,947.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do defense engineers typically collaborate with multidisciplinary teams during project development?

Defense Engineers frequently work alongside professionals from various disciplines, including software developers, systems analysts, project managers, and manufacturing specialists. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as complex defense projects require integrating multiple technologies and adhering to strict security protocols. Regular meetings, technical reviews, and cross-functional design sessions are common, ensuring that engineering solutions meet both technical requirements and regulatory standards. Being adaptable and open to feedback from different perspectives is key to success in this collaborative environment.

What is the difference between Defense Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectDefense EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Security Clearances often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Systems or related fields
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government agencies, military projectsVarious industries including aerospace, IT, manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military sectorsBroad industry use, including defense, tech, and aerospace
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for technical and security aspectsCompared for project management and system integration skills

Defense Engineers focus on designing and developing military and defense systems, often requiring security clearances and working within defense sectors. Systems Engineers have a broader role in integrating complex systems across various industries, including defense, but with less emphasis on security clearances. Both roles require engineering backgrounds but differ in industry focus and project scope.

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

To thrive as a Defense Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, problem-solving, and systems design, typically supported by a degree in engineering or a related field and security clearance. Familiarity with CAD software, modeling tools, and knowledge of defense industry standards or certifications like ITAR compliance is often required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the development of reliable, secure, and innovative defense systems that meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements.

What is a defense engineer?

Defense Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain technologies and systems used for national defense and security. Their work may include developing weapons, surveillance equipment, communications systems, and protective gear for military use. They often collaborate with government agencies and defense contractors to ensure that products meet stringent safety and performance standards. Defense Engineers apply principles from fields such as mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering to solve complex challenges related to defense technology.

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

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

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

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

Defense Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $108,003 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Civil Engineer (Cost)

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Chicago, IL • On-site

$106K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

About the Position: Please indicate in your cover letter or resume introduction which position below you are interested in.
  • Huntington Dam Safety Production Center GS-13 full performance 14 (hire at either grade) (Multiple Location Options)
  • Huntington Dam Safety Center GS-14 (Multiple Location Options)
  • Pittsburgh Regional Inland NAV Design Production Center GS-13 (Multiple Location Options)
A seat location must be confirmed in a USACE office before a final offer is made.Qualifications:

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998


In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
IN ADDITION TO THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR THESE POSITIONS, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT OUTLINED IN THE EDUCATION SECTION.
SPEICIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13: developing construction cost estimates and/or independent government estimates (IGE) for civil works projects; developing budgetary construction cost estimates; evaluating bids and proposals received for construction project proposals; developing estimates for modifications needed for construction projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14: cost estimating, scheduling, and cost/schedule risk analysis as required to analyze projects for budgeting and implementation of dam safety projects; developing cost estimates and construction schedules to support dam safety modifications; performing technical cost analysis of construction contractor proposals; AND leading teams to complete various dam safety studies and associated reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-13).
Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent:
52 weeks at the GS 12 for the GS 13
52 weeks at the GS-13 for the GS-14

Education:Basic Education for GS-0810 (Engineering Series):
Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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