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Development Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Engineer II, DEV

Barrington, IL · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Title: R&D Engineer II Location: North Barrington Employment Type: Full Time About Us Founded in 1996, Medical Murray is a privately owned medical device company specializing in the development ...

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SDET

Chicago, IL · On-site

IT Software Engineer 4 (Senior SDET) Caterpillar is seeking an experienced IT Software Engineer 4 (Senior SDET) to join its engineering team in Chicago. This role focuses on designing, developing ...

Software Development Engineer Required skills: Experience Level: 4-7 Years Skills/Tools: Cucumber with Serenity, assert, RestAssured, Wiremock, Junits, Mockito, Selenium/Playwright, Gatling, Java ...

Sr. SDET

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Job title: SR. SDET Location: Chicago, IL • XCTest/ XCUITest frameworks • 5+ years direct experience as an SDET for major application integration and/or major application product release • ...

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Development Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$47.5K

$93.2K

$148.7K

How much do development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for development engineer in Illinois is $93,176.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,000.00 and $103,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Development Engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Development Engineers frequently work alongside designers, product managers, quality assurance teams, and manufacturing specialists to bring projects from concept to completion. They participate in regular meetings to align on project requirements, address technical challenges, and integrate feedback from different departments. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are crucial, as Development Engineers often serve as the technical bridge between teams, ensuring that the final product meets both functional and business goals.

What do development engineers do?

Development engineers design, develop, and test new products or systems, often working on improving existing technologies. They use engineering principles, CAD software, and prototyping tools, and typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product functionality and quality.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Senior engineering roles such as petroleum engineers, aerospace engineers, and software development engineers in high-demand industries can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses, stock options, or extensive experience. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and leadership responsibilities, and compensation varies based on location and company size.

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

To excel as a Development Engineer, you need strong analytical abilities, a background in engineering (typically a bachelor's degree or higher), and proficiency in product design and development principles. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and relevant industry certifications such as Six Sigma or PMP is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These capabilities are important because they enable the creation of innovative, high-quality products that meet technical standards and client needs.

What Is a Development Engineer?

A development engineer is responsible for creating a design for a manufacturing product. Your job duties include conducting research on the potential product, developing design specifications for the product, creating prototypes that can be evaluated, and being involved in market research. The qualifications for a career as a development engineer include a bachelor’s degree, although some employers may prefer a master’s degree in engineering or a related field. A successful development engineer needs strong creative skills and a excellent attention to detail, especially with design.

What is the difference between Development Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectDevelopment EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often in software, electrical, or systems fieldsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentProduct development, R&D, design teams, often in tech or manufacturing companiesDesign, analysis, testing, and manufacturing in industrial, automotive, or aerospace sectors
Employer & Industry UsageTech firms, manufacturing, electronics, software companiesAutomotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, manufacturing
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in product development, software or hardware designDesigning mechanical systems, machinery, or components

Development Engineers focus on creating and improving products, often in software or integrated systems, while Mechanical Engineers specialize in designing and analyzing mechanical systems and components. Both roles require engineering degrees but differ in their focus areas and industries.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in fields such as software, petroleum, aerospace, and electrical engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Roles requiring specialized knowledge, leadership, or management responsibilities tend to have higher compensation levels.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineering roles such as software engineers, petroleum engineers, and aerospace engineers can reach or exceed $300,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive-level engineering positions or those in management may also achieve this level of compensation.

What are Development Engineers?

Development Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test new products, processes, or systems in various industries such as technology, manufacturing, or automotive. They work closely with cross-functional teams to turn ideas and concepts into practical, market-ready solutions. Their responsibilities often include research, prototyping, troubleshooting, and optimizing existing products or processes. Development Engineers play a key role in innovation and ensuring the technical feasibility and quality of new developments.
More about Development Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Development Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Development Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Development Engineer job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,176 per year, or $44.8 per hour.
SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)

SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)

Collabera

Chicago, IL • On-site

$55 - $57/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Industry: Hospitality Job Title: SDET Locations: Chicago, IL Duration: 6 months of contract Pay Range: $55 - $57/hr Must Have's: 5+ years of SDET experience Hands-on experience testing Kafka-based event-driven architectures API/service testing (REST and SOAP) using tools such as Postman and SoapUI trong technical proficiency in Java and automation frameworks (Selenium/Appium, Groovy) - Groovy preferred Experienced in debugging and root cause analysis using system logs (ex - Splunk), version control systems (Git/Subversion), SQL-based data validation, and CI/CD tools such as Jenkins Rest Assured Automating test scripts The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid parking/public transportation, paid time off, paid sick and safe time, hours of paid vacation time, weeks of paid parental leave, and paid holidays annually – as applicable.