ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Engineering Startup Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

TekPro Engineering

Electrical Controls Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

Troubleshoot electrical and controls issues during equipment build, testing, and startup. * Work closely with mechanical engineering and manufacturing throughout equipment development. * Support ...

Sterling Engineering

Senior Process Engineer

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

Equipment installation, field support, commissioning, and startup * Pharmaceutical, biotech, API, drug substance, or specialty chemical manufacturing * Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering ...

Amazon

Startup Solutions Architect, Startups

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$65 - $85.50/hr

They usually operate in an environment of scarcity: whether that's capital, engineering resource, or experience. This is where you come in. The AWS Startup Solutions Architecture team is dedicated to ...

Amazon

Startup Solutions Architect, Startups

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$65 - $85.50/hr

They usually operate in an environment of scarcity: whether that's capital, engineering resource, or experience. This is where you come in. The AWS Startup Solutions Architecture team is dedicated to ...

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Controls Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$83K - $107K/yr

... engineering, manufacturing, and customers throughout the project lifecycle. The Controls Engineer will also provide onsite startup support, testing, and technical assistance to ensure successful ...

Amazon

Startup Solutions Architect, Startups

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65 - $85.50/hr

They usually operate in an environment of scarcity: whether that's capital, engineering resource, or experience. This is where you come in. The AWS Startup Solutions Architecture team is dedicated to ...

Nexus Engineering Group

SCADA Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

... startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise. At Nexus, you will be part of a talented ...

Nexus Engineering Group

SCADA Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $120K/yr

... startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise. At Nexus, you will be part of a talented ...

Nexus Engineering Group

SCADA Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$85K - $120K/yr

... startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise. At Nexus, you will be part of a talented ...

Nexus Engineering Group

SCADA Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$85 - $120/hr

... startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise. At Nexus, you will be part of a talented ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEngineering Startup JobsEngineering Startup Jobs in Illinois

Engineering Startup information

See Illinois salary details

$45.1K

$142.3K

$168.6K

How much do engineering startup jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering startup in Illinois is $142,319.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,900.00 and $167,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an engineering startup?

An Engineering Startup job involves working in a newly founded company focused on developing innovative technology or products. Engineers in startups often wear multiple hats, taking on tasks ranging from product design and prototyping to testing and deployment. Unlike larger companies, startups typically require employees to be adaptable, work in fast-paced environments, and contribute to various aspects of product development. This role can be highly rewarding, offering opportunities for hands-on experience, creativity, and rapid career growth.

What are some common challenges engineers face when working in a startup environment?

Engineers in startup environments often encounter challenges such as rapidly shifting priorities, resource constraints, and the need to wear multiple hats beyond their core technical role. You may be expected to iterate quickly on product designs, address unforeseen technical hurdles, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams like product and marketing. Flexibility and a proactive mindset are essential, as the pace can be fast and the scope of work may change frequently. However, these challenges come with significant learning opportunities and the potential to make a visible impact on the company's success and direction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the engineering startup position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an engineering startup, you need a robust understanding of engineering principles, problem-solving ability, and hands-on technical skills often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with product development tools, prototyping platforms, and agile project management systems such as Jira or Trello is highly valuable. Exceptional adaptability, entrepreneurial drive, teamwork, and strong communication skills set standout contributors apart in this fast-paced environment. These skills and qualities are critical because startup teams must efficiently innovate, iterate, and launch solutions amidst constant change and limited resources.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering Startup jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Engineering Startup jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Engineering Startup jobs in Illinois?

For Engineering Startup jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Engineering Startup jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Engineering Startup jobs in Illinois are:

Engineering Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Startup job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 30% Full Time, and 53% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $142,319 per year, or $68.4 per hour.

4th Engineer / Onsite Chicago / Python / Healthcare Startup

Motion Recruitment

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

A Chicago-based healthcare technology startup is seeking their 4th full-time Senior Software Engineer to help build AI-powered products that improve access to behavioral healthcare. This venture-backed organization is leveraging modern AI technologies, LLMs, and full-stack engineering to solve complex operational challenges within the healthcare system. The position is primarily based in downtown Chicago with flexibility for exceptional candidates willing to spend significant time collaborating with the team in person in River North.
This is a rare opportunity to join an exceptionally small engineering team and influence the company during its earliest stages of growth. The ideal candidate is a hands-on builder who thrives in startup environments, enjoys moving quickly, and wants meaningful ownership over both product and technical decisions. This team likes to have fun, but in this stage they need someone who is willing and able to dedicate 60+ hours a week to being hands-on writing code while contributing to shaping architecture, engineering processes, and the future direction of the platform, working directly alongside company founders. Required Skills & Experience
  • 4+ years of professional software engineering experience
  • Ability to work 60+ hours per week, including occasional weekends
  • Experience in early-stage startups or high-growth environments
  • Full-stack development experience
  • Strong proficiency with modern web technologies
  • Experience building and shipping customer-facing applications
  • Demonstrated project ownership from concept to deployment
  • Experience collaborating closely with product and business stakeholders
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work independently in fast-changing environments
Desired Skills & Experience
  • Previous Founding Engineer or early engineering hire experience
  • Experience with LLMs, AI agents, or generative AI products
  • Startup leadership or mentoring experience
  • Healthcare or health-tech exposure
  • Experience designing scalable systems and technical architecture
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure and DevOps practices
  • Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools
What You Will Be Doing Tech Breakdown
  • 40% Full-Stack Product Development
  • 25% AI & LLM Integrations
  • 20% Platform & Infrastructure Engineering
  • 15% Technical Architecture & System Design
Daily Responsibilities
  • Build and launch AI-powered product features
  • Partner directly with founders to define product direction
  • Design scalable architecture and engineering solutions
  • Own features throughout the entire development lifecycle
  • Contribute to infrastructure, deployment, and operational excellence
  • Help establish engineering best practices as the team grows
  • Evaluate and implement emerging AI technologies where appropriate
  • 80% Hands-On Development, 5% Team Leadership & Mentorship, 15% Cross-Functional Collaboration
The Offer You will receive the following benefits:
  • Competitive base salary
  • Bonus eligible
  • Equity participation with meaningful ownership potential
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation Time
  • Stock Options
  • High-impact role within a growing startup
  • Direct access to company leadership
  • Opportunity to influence technology and engineering culture

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis now and in the future.
#LI-OP

Apply