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Engineering Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

HBK Engineering, LLC

Engineering Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

About Us HBK Engineering, LLC is a fully licensed, professional engineering design firm headquartered in Chicago, IL with a staff approaching 700 individuals. HBK provides civil, environmental ...

HBK Engineering, LLC

Engineering Manager

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

About Us HBK Engineering, LLC is a fully licensed, professional engineering design firm headquartered in Chicago, IL with a staff approaching 700 individuals. HBK provides civil, environmental ...

HBK Engineering, LLC

Engineering Manager

Geneva, IL · On-site

About Us HBK Engineering, LLC is a fully licensed, professional engineering design firm headquartered in Chicago, IL with a staff approaching 700 individuals. HBK provides civil, environmental ...

Sterling Engineering

Industrial Engineer

Chicago, IL

$85K - $100K/yr

Partner with Engineering and Operations teams to ensure manufacturability of new designs * Participate in design reviews and DFMEA activities to identify manufacturing risks and opportunities

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsEngineering JobsEngineering Jobs in Chicago, IL

Engineering information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$47.9K

$151.4K

$179.4K

How much do engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering in Chicago, IL is $151,415.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,100.00 and $178,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Engineer, you need strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and a relevant engineering degree or certification. Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools, and industry-specific technical systems is typically required. Excellent teamwork, communication, and adaptability help engineers collaborate and navigate complex projects effectively. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering innovative, efficient solutions and ensuring project success in dynamic technical environments.

What are careers in engineering?

Careers in engineering involve designing, developing, and maintaining systems, structures, or products across various fields such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. These roles typically require strong problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and often a bachelor's degree in engineering or related disciplines. Engineers work in diverse environments including offices, laboratories, and construction sites, and may pursue certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.

What Are Engineering Jobs?

Engineering jobs encompass a range of positions in a variety of technical fields, including mechanical, chemical, electrical, aeronautic, and civil engineering. Some engineering jobs are in research and design, while others focus on the construction and manufacturing industry. In this career, you need a mix of design, project management, and research skills. You can work in numerous industries, including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, medical, aviation, and natural resource extraction. Some jobs are based primarily in an office or lab setting, while others require you to travel to field sites to make surveys and assessments.

What are some common challenges engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Engineers often collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as designers, project managers, and business analysts. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication, as each discipline may use different terminology or prioritize different aspects of a project. Additionally, aligning objectives and managing conflicting expectations can require strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Successfully navigating these challenges helps engineers contribute to more innovative and efficient solutions while building valuable teamwork experience.

What jobs can I do in engineering?

Engineering offers a wide range of jobs including civil, mechanical, electrical, software, chemical, and aerospace engineering. These roles typically involve designing, developing, testing, and maintaining systems or products, often requiring technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and relevant certifications or degrees. Engineers work in various industries such as construction, technology, manufacturing, and energy, often in office, laboratory, or field environments.

What is engineering?

Engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes. Engineers use creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to develop solutions that meet societal needs in areas such as infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, and the environment. There are many branches of engineering, including civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and software engineering, each focusing on different aspects of technology and innovation.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, software engineering, or aerospace engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve leadership or executive responsibilities.

What is the difference between Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectEngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar
Work EnvironmentVaries widely across disciplines, including offices, labs, and manufacturingDesign, analysis, and manufacturing environments, often involving machinery and systems
Industry UsageBroadly used across multiple industries such as civil, electrical, and mechanical sectorsPrimarily in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors

Engineering is a broad field encompassing various disciplines, including mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineering focuses specifically on designing and analyzing mechanical systems and machinery. While all mechanical engineers are engineers, not all engineers are mechanical engineers. The two roles often overlap but differ in specialization and application areas.

What are 10 engineering jobs?

Engineering encompasses a wide range of roles including civil engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, software engineer, chemical engineer, aerospace engineer, industrial engineer, environmental engineer, biomedical engineer, and petroleum engineer. These jobs typically require technical skills, relevant degrees, and sometimes professional certifications. They involve designing, developing, testing, and maintaining systems or products across various industries.
More about Engineering jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL? For Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Engineering jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Engineering job openings:
Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering job openings in Chicago, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $151,415 per year, or $72.8 per hour.
Applications Engineering Manager

Applications Engineering Manager

RFA Engineering

Chicago, IL • On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are currently supporting one of our clients in the industrial equipment and hydraulics space in their search for an Engineering Manager.
This is a direct hire opportunity where the selected candidate will join our client's engineering team and work closely with both engineering and sales functions to support customer applications and deliver technical solutions.
Applications Engineering Manager
The Applications Engineering Manager is responsible for leading and developing a team of application engineers while providing hands-on technical leadership for hydraulic systems and applications.
This role is a blend of team leadership, technical execution, and operational development, requiring a strong hydraulics background along with the ability to mentor engineers, improve workflows, and support collaboration across global teams.
In the near term, this role will be primarily focused on building team capability, establishing processes, and strengthening coordination with global engineering teams. As the North American organization continues to grow, the role will evolve to include increased involvement in customer engagement and application support.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who is comfortable working directly in technical details while guiding a developing team toward long-term success.
Responsibilities
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of application engineers
  • Manage project assignments and ensure efficient execution across the team
  • Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering and sales support teams
  • Establish and improve engineering workflows, processes, and best practices
  • Collaborate with global engineering teams to align on technical standards and product knowledge
  • Support complex technical problem-solving related to hydraulic systems and applications
  • Assist in development of technical presentations for internal teams and customer engagement
  • Work with sales leadership to support account strategies and opportunity development
  • Review and validate proposals for technical accuracy and quality
  • Conduct performance evaluations and support development of engineering staff
  • Travel as needed to support team alignment and global coordination (~30%)

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • 10+ years of engineering experience, with a strong application engineering background
  • 5+ years of leadership or team management experience
  • Strong hydraulics experience REQUIRED (cylinders, valves, pumps, motors, or similar systems)
  • Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage engineering workflows
  • Experience working in cross-functional and global team environments
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities

Desired Attributes
  • Experience in construction, agriculture, mining, or mobile/off-highway equipment industries
  • Experience building or developing engineering teams in a growing organization
  • Prior experience supporting sales teams or commercial initiatives
  • Familiarity with CRM tools (Salesforce preferred)
  • Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks or similar)
  • Experience working with global teams
  • Mandarin language capability is a strong plus

Additional Details
  • Preferred location in the greater Chicago area; remote candidates will be considered
  • Remote candidates should expect increased travel to support team integration
  • Approximately 30% travel required, including domestic and international travel
  • Role is more internally focused initially, with increased customer interaction over time
  • Flexible schedule with coordination needed for global teams

About the Client
Our client is a global provider of hydraulic components and systems supporting OEMs across industries such as construction, agriculture, mining, and heavy equipment. With a growing presence in North America, the organization is focused on expanding its engineering and application support capabilities.
This role is a key part of that growth, focused on building team capability, improving engineering processes, and strengthening collaboration across global operations.
Compensation & Benefits
  • Competitive base salary ($160,000 - $200,000), based on experience
    • Competitive salary
    • Bonus opportunity for team and individual performance
    • Insurance options include Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability plans
    • Employer paid life insurance
    • Health Savings option available with employer contribution
    • Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays
    • Monthly allowances for phone, car, home office use
    • 401(k) match - 100% match for 4% salary
    • Company credit for work expenses

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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