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Entry Level Architectural Engineering Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Entry Level Architectural Engineering information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11.3K

$86.2K

$146.3K

How much do entry level architectural engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level architectural engineering in Chicago, IL is $86,196.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,400.00 and $115,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level architectural engineer?

An Entry Level Architectural Engineering job involves assisting in the design, planning, and construction of buildings and infrastructure. Professionals in this role work under the supervision of experienced engineers and architects, using technical knowledge to create blueprints, conduct structural analyses, and ensure compliance with building codes. They may also collaborate with construction teams, perform site visits, and assist in problem-solving during the building process. This position serves as a foundation for gaining hands-on experience and advancing in the architectural engineering field.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an entry level architectural engineer?

As an entry level architectural engineer, you will typically assist in designing, analyzing, and drafting building systems such as structural, mechanical, or electrical components under the supervision of senior engineers or architects. Your daily tasks may include creating and revising technical drawings, conducting site visits, preparing reports, and collaborating with architects, engineers, and construction teams. You may also participate in project meetings, help ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to problem-solving for design challenges. This exposure to various project phases helps you build valuable experience and develop a well-rounded skill set for future advancement in the architectural engineering field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level architectural engineering position?

To excel as an Entry Level Architectural Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering or a related field, along with a strong understanding of mathematics, physics, and building systems. Familiarity with software like AutoCAD, Revit, and building information modeling (BIM) tools is highly valuable, and preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can enhance your credentials. Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help you work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and adapt to complex project requirements. These capabilities ensure you can accurately contribute to design processes, coordinate with professionals, and deliver successful building projects.

How much do entry level architectural engineers make?

Entry-level architectural engineers typically earn between $55,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on location, education, and industry demand. Starting salaries may increase with internships, certifications, and proficiency in design software like AutoCAD or Revit.

Is there a demand for entry level architectural engineers?

Entry level architectural engineers are in steady demand due to ongoing construction projects and infrastructure development. Employers seek candidates with basic knowledge of design software like AutoCAD and Revit, along with a relevant degree, making entry-level positions accessible for recent graduates. Job growth in this field is expected to align with overall construction and engineering industry trends.

What jobs can I get with an entry level architectural engineering degree?

Entry level architectural engineering graduates can pursue roles such as architectural engineer, design technician, construction coordinator, or CAD technician. These positions often involve working with design software like AutoCAD or Revit and may require understanding building codes and structural principles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Architectural Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Architectural Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Architectural Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Entry Level Architectural Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Architectural Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Architectural Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Entry Level Architectural Engineering jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Entry Level Architectural Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Architectural Engineering job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,196 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Valdes Architecture & Engineering is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Recruiter III to join our Talent Acquisition team. This position plays an important role in identifying and attracting exceptional engineering, technical, and professional talent to support the continued growth of Valdes.

The Recruiter III will manage full-cycle recruiting activities with a strong emphasis on strategic sourcing, passive candidate engagement, relationship building, and delivering an exceptional candidate experience. This individual will partner closely with hiring managers and company leadership to understand current and future talent needs, develop targeted recruiting strategies, and identify candidates whose technical capabilities, career goals, and values align with Valdes.

The ideal candidate is a proactive relationship builder who enjoys finding hard-to-reach talent, understands how to develop long-term candidate pipelines, and can successfully recruit within a competitive engineering and professional services environment. This role requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple high-priority searches simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities
  • Talent Acquisition & Strategic Sourcing
    • Manage recruiting activities throughout the candidate lifecycle, including sourcing, candidate outreach, screening, interview coordination, offer support, and ongoing candidate communication
    • Proactively identify and engage passive candidates, particularly for specialized engineering, technical, and leadership positions
    • Develop creative sourcing strategies using LinkedIn, Indeed, professional associations, alumni networks, college recruiting platforms, industry organizations, and other recruiting resources
    • Build and maintain talent pipelines for current openings as well as anticipated future hiring needs
    • Maintain accurate and comprehensive candidate information within the Valdes applicant tracking system and candidate database
    • Develop effective outreach and follow-up strategies that strengthen candidate engagement and Valdes' employer brand
    • Maintain relationships with high-quality candidates even when an immediate opportunity is not available.
    Hiring Manager Partnership
    • Partner with hiring managers and company leadership to understand staffing priorities, position requirements, technical qualifications, and long-term workforce needs
    • Assist with candidate interviews and provide thoughtful recommendations throughout the selection process
    • Coordinate interview schedules and recruiting logistics to create an organized and professional experience for candidates and hiring teams
    Engineering & Industry Networking
    • Develop a strong understanding of the architecture, engineering, construction, infrastructure, and related professional services markets in which Valdes operates
    • Develop relationships with engineers and industry professionals who may become future candidates, referral sources, or advocates for Valdes
    • Monitor industry activity, including competitors, clients, market expansion, mergers, restructuring, and workforce reductions, to identify potential recruiting opportunities
    • Maintain awareness of emerging engineering disciplines, talent trends, and changing skill requirements within Valdes' markets
    College & Early Career Recruiting
    • Coordinate Valdes' participation in college career fairs, recruiting events, information sessions, and other campus engagement activities.
    • Identify opportunities to strengthen Valdes' presence at targeted universities and engineering programs.
    • Build ongoing pipelines of interns, entry-level engineers, and other early-career professionals.
    • Support the development of long-term university recruiting strategies that increase awareness of Valdes and our career opportunities.
    Candidate Experience & Employer Brand
    • Serve as a knowledgeable and engaging representative of Valdes throughout the recruiting process
    • Provide candidates with clear and timely communication regarding opportunities, interviews, expectations, and next steps
    • Develop trusted relationships with candidates by understanding their experience, career motivations, and long-term professional goals
    • Help communicate the Valdes employee value proposition, including our culture, project opportunities, professional development, and career growth
    • Identify opportunities to continuously improve the candidate and new-hire experience
    Recruiting Operations & Continuous Improvement
    • Maintain organized and accurate recruiting records, candidate activity, and pipeline information
    • Track recruiting activity and provide updates regarding candidate pipelines and difficult-to-fill positions
    • Identify opportunities to improve sourcing strategies, recruiting technology, processes, communication, and overall efficiency
    • Collaborate with other members of Talent Acquisition and Human Resources to support broader workforce initiatives
    • Handle candidate, employee, compensation, and other confidential information with a high degree of professionalism and discretion
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Communications, Engineering, Psychology, or a related field
  • 3+ years of experience working in full-cycle Recruiting, Talent Acquisition, or Human Resources
  • Must have experience recruiting technical engineers and other specialized technical professionals
  • Experience using LinkedIn Recruiter for proactive sourcing and passive candidate engagement
  • Experience working with an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) such as Greenhouse, Lever, or a comparable recruiting platform.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively manage candidate pipelines, requisitions, interview activity, and recruiting data within an ATS
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through
  • Ability to create and maintain strong relationships with leadership and hiring managers across all levels of the organization.
  • Ability to independently initiate, prioritize, and follow through on assignments
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
  • Ability to manage multiple searches, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
  • Must possess exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future
Preferred
  • Experience working within professional services, consulting, engineering, architecture, construction, or another technical environment
  • Experience recruiting engineers, technical professionals, project managers, and senior-level leadership candidates
  • Experience sourcing and recruiting passive candidates for specialized and difficult-to-fill positions
  • Familiarity with engineering disciplines such as civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, transportation, municipal, water/wastewater, utilities, process, or related technical fields
  • Experience with college recruiting, career fairs, and university relationship development
  • Experience leveraging ATS reporting, recruiting analytics, and talent market intelligence to evaluate recruiting activity and improve sourcing strategies
  • Participation in engineering, recruiting, or other relevant professional associations
What Success Looks Like

A successful Recruiter III at Valdes is more than someone who fills open positions. This individual becomes not only an integral part of the Talent Acquisition team, but also a trusted talent advisor to hiring managers.  In addition, they develop meaningful relationships throughout the engineering community, and creates pipelines of talent that support the company's long-term growth.

Success in this role means understanding the business well enough to anticipate talent needs, knowing the market well enough to find candidates others may not reach, and building enough trust with candidates and hiring managers to create successful long-term matches.

Why Valdes?

At Valdes, you'll have the opportunity to recruit talented professionals who help design and deliver meaningful engineering and infrastructure projects. You'll work directly with technical leaders and company leadership while gaining exposure to a broad range of engineering disciplines, markets, and career paths.

This position offers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the growth of the organization while continuing to develop your expertise in technical and engineering talent acquisition. You'll join a collaborative environment where initiative, relationship building, creativity, and continuous improvement are valued-and where Talent Acquisition plays an important role in shaping the future of the company.

$65,000 - $90,000 a year

Salaries for all positions are based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, total years of experience in the industry, education, skills, and qualifications. Compensation may vary depending on the candidate's individual background and expertise. Salaries are subject to fluctuation outside of the given range. The indicated range is not a commitment and meant as a guideline. All compensation, exempt or non-exempt status, and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Architecture & Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement.
EEO/AAE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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