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Electrical Engineering Graduate Jobs in Chicago, IL

As a Hardware Developer-New Graduate, you will work in our Chicago office, both independently and ... A degree in a field such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or a related ...

As a Hardware Developer-New Graduate, you will work in our Chicago office, both independently and ... A degree in a field such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or a related ...

Graduate Hardware Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$180 - $220/hr

Current university student graduating between September 2026 - July 2027 that is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree * Strong analytical skills and ...

Current university student graduating between September 2026 - July 2027 that is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree * Strong analytical skills and ...

Current university student graduating between September 2026 - July 2027 that is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree * Strong analytical skills and ...

Current university student graduating between September 2026 - July 2027 that is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree * Strong analytical skills and ...

... Graduate Hardware Engineer position at the end of the program. Where you go from here is up to you ... an Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree * Must have proficient ...

... high-voltage electrical infrastructure and delivers safe, reliable solutions across the full ... Perform engineering support tasks such as wind load calculations and structural analysis, with ...

Showing results 21-40

Electrical Engineering Graduate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$52.1K

$114.5K

$173.2K

How much do electrical engineering graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for electrical engineering graduate in Chicago, IL is $114,530.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,600.00 and $136,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an electrical engineering graduate?

Electrical engineering graduates are individuals who have completed a degree in electrical engineering, typically at the bachelor's level. They possess foundational knowledge in areas such as circuits, electromagnetics, electronics, and power systems. These graduates may pursue careers in industries like energy, telecommunications, electronics manufacturing, and automation. Their roles often involve designing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems or components. Many also continue their education or obtain professional certifications to specialize further.

What types of projects can an electrical engineering graduate expect to work on in their first year?

As an Electrical Engineering Graduate, you will likely be involved in a variety of projects such as designing circuit boards, assisting with system testing, supporting senior engineers with troubleshooting, and contributing to product development meetings. Many entry-level roles also include hands-on tasks like preparing technical documentation and collaborating with cross-functional teams, including software and mechanical engineers. These experiences are designed to give you a well-rounded understanding of both practical and theoretical aspects of electrical engineering within your organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an electrical engineering graduate, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Electrical Engineering Graduate, you need a solid grasp of electrical theory, circuit design, and problem-solving, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as MATLAB, AutoCAD, and simulation software, as well as knowledge of industry standards, is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate on projects and present technical information clearly. These abilities are essential for successfully contributing to engineering teams and developing innovative, safe, and efficient electrical solutions.

What is the difference between Electrical Engineering Graduate vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectElectrical Engineering GraduateElectrical Engineer
QualificationsTypically a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree required; often a Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level roles, internships, or training programs in various industriesDesign, develop, test electrical systems, often with more responsibility
CertificationsUsually not required, but some may pursue certifications like EIT or PEProfessional Engineer (PE) license often required for advanced roles
Job ResponsibilitiesLearning and assisting in electrical projects, gaining practical experienceDesigning circuits, troubleshooting, project management

In summary, an Electrical Engineering Graduate is typically an entry-level individual with a degree, focusing on gaining experience, while an Electrical Engineer has more experience, responsibilities, and often a professional license, enabling them to lead projects and make critical decisions.

What do electrical engineering graduates do after graduation?

Electrical engineering graduates often pursue roles such as design, testing, and maintenance of electrical systems, working in industries like power generation, electronics, telecommunications, and automation. They may work as electrical engineers, project engineers, or in research and development, often using tools like CAD software and requiring relevant certifications or licenses. Many also continue their education or specialize in areas like control systems or renewable energy.

What jobs can an electrical engineering graduate get?

An electrical engineering graduate can pursue roles such as electrical engineer, electronics engineer, systems engineer, or power engineer. These positions typically involve designing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems and often require knowledge of circuit design, programming, and industry standards.

What job categories do people searching Electrical Engineering Graduate jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Electrical Engineering Graduate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Electrical Engineering Graduate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,530 per year, or $55.1 per hour.

Graduate FPGA Engineer (2027 Start - Chicago)

Optiver

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

As an FPGA Engineer, you'll work side-by-side with teammates to build real-world applications that power a global trading firm. You'll create solutions with nanosecond response times, highly parallelized algorithms, and customized low-level networking that solve business challenges effectively and efficiently. Collaborating closely with our business, you'll have in-depth insight into a problem before developing the solution.
Optiver is building with cutting edge AI technology in the most competitive, data rich landscapes in the world: financial markets. That means no two days are the same, and every day brings new, exciting technical challenges to solve.
What you'll do
Your onboarding
In the first eight weeks, you will participate in Optiver's comprehensive Global Academy and be equipped with the knowledge needed to make an impact the moment you join your team. The comprehensive training covers trading theory and Optiver's tech stack to hone your skills for your role. In addition, you will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will empower you to take ownership of your work and make a difference at the firm.
Your responsibilities
  • Accelerate network infrastructure and trading system components with high-speed hardware designs.
  • Research new low-latency techniques and platforms and identify opportunities for integration with our trading system.
  • Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team of traders, software developers, and infrastructure engineers.
  • Leverage the best hardware available or build in-house versions to ensure our FPGAs can interface with cutting-edge server hardware.

What you'll get
You'll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you'll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.
In addition, you'll receive:
  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
  • Highly competitive compensation package
  • Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure
  • 401(k) match up to 50%
  • Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
  • 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are:
  • A student pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another related field
  • On track to graduate between December 2026 to June 2027
  • A student with strong engineering instincts and hands-on experience in digital design with FPGAs or ASICs
  • Experienced in writing hardware in VHDL, Verilog, or System Verilog
  • Passionate for writing clean code, well-architected systems, and continuous improvement
  • A collaborative teammate comfortable working with developers, traders and business teams

Who we are:
Optiver is a leading technology- and research-driven trading firm. Our teams of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and traders work side by side to develop, test, and scale ideas that shape how we understand and trade global markets. Powered by a global platform built for rapid experimentation and iteration, we combine the scientific rigor of a research institution with the pace of a technology company.
Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics. Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.
Optiver has a global application re-apply policy for our intern and graduate roles. If you have completed any portion of an online assessment or interviewed for an FPGA Engineer graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re-apply to after the 8-month cool off period.
Below is the expected base salary for this position. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus and Optiver's benefits package with the benefits listed above.
Base Salary Range
$200,000-$200,000 USD