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Entry Level Design Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Design Engineer

Esmond, IL · On-site

$89K - $154K/yr

The Electrical Design Engineer position is based out of our Byron Clean Energy facility in Byron ... This Engineering role can be filled at Entry-level, Mid-level or Senior Engineer level. Please see ...

Electrical Design Engineer

Polo, IL · On-site

$122K - $154K/yr

The Electrical Design Engineer position is based out of our Byron Clean Energy facility in Byron ... This Engineering role can be filled at Entry-level, Mid-level or Senior Engineer level. Please see ...

Electrical Design Engineer

Polo, IL · On-site

$122K - $154K/yr

The Electrical Design Engineer position is based out of our Byron Clean Energy facility in Byron ... This Engineering role can be filled at Entry-level, Mid-level or Senior Engineer level. Please see ...

Electrical Design Engineer

Seward, IL · On-site

$122K - $154K/yr

The Electrical Design Engineer position is based out of our Byron Clean Energy facility in Byron ... This Engineering role can be filled at Entry-level, Mid-level or Senior Engineer level. Please see ...

Showing results 41-60

Entry Level Design information

See Illinois salary details

$14

$21

$28

How much do entry level design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level design in Illinois is $21.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.85 and $23.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level design job?

An entry level design job is a starting position in the design industry, typically suited for recent graduates or those with limited professional experience. These roles often involve assisting senior designers, creating basic design assets, and learning industry tools and workflows. Entry level designers may work in fields such as graphic design, web design, or industrial design, and are expected to have a foundational understanding of design principles and software like Adobe Creative Suite. The goal is to build practical skills, gain experience, and develop a professional portfolio to advance in the field.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an entry level design professional expect in their first year?

Entry-level design professionals typically work on a variety of supporting tasks, such as preparing drafts, creating visual assets, and assisting with layout or branding projects. They often collaborate closely with senior designers and art directors, gaining exposure to client feedback and the revision process. While responsibilities may start with smaller assignments, there are frequent opportunities to contribute ideas during team brainstorming sessions and to gradually take on more complex projects as skills develop. This hands-on experience is crucial for building a strong portfolio and understanding real-world design workflows.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, proficiency in visual communication, and a relevant degree or coursework in graphic, web, or industrial design. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and basic knowledge of design systems or prototyping platforms is important. Strong attention to detail, creativity, collaboration, and openness to feedback set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities enable designers to produce high-quality work, adapt to team needs, and grow in a fast-evolving creative field.

What is the difference between Entry Level Design vs Graphic Designer?

AspectEntry Level DesignGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant courseworkBachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field
Work EnvironmentInternships, junior roles, freelance projectsDesign agencies, corporate marketing teams, freelance
Industry UsageEntry positions in various industriesCreative and marketing industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in designEntry-level design roles and career path

Entry Level Design typically refers to initial roles requiring basic skills and minimal experience, often involving internships or freelance work. Graphic Designer is a more specific job title that usually requires a formal degree and involves creating visual content for clients or companies. While both roles serve as starting points in the design industry, Entry Level Design is broader, encompassing various entry positions, whereas Graphic Designer is a specialized role within the field.

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

The most popular types of Design jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Design jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Design job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,305 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Chillicothe, IL • On-site

RFA Engineering
Engineering Professional Services • 201 - 500 employees

$70K - $95K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 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 seeking an entry-level to experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.

This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includesopportunitiesfor professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.

Mechanical Design Engineer

This Mechanical Engineer will support the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of mechanical products and systems. The role includes developing 3D models and drawings, investigating failures and root causes, supporting prototype and production builds, collaborating with manufacturing and validation teams, and developing solutions for product improvement, quality, and cost reduction.

Job Description

Research, design, develop, manufacture, and test tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices.

Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals to determine time and cost feasibility to complete projects.

Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and make recommendation to maintenance crew.

Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using tools, equipment or software.

Support product development, product improvement, cost reduction, and product health initiatives.

Research and analyze engineering requirements, specifications, test results, and field issues to develop effective solutions.

Investigate product, component, and system failures and perform root cause analysis to identify corrective actions.

Support prototype, pilot, and production builds while working closely with manufacturing and operations teams.

Collaborate with validation engineers to support testing activities and ensure robust product performance.

Develop and evaluate design concepts for fabricated structures, mounting systems, castings, machined components, tube routings, hose routings, and other mechanical systems.

Participate in continuous product improvement and quality improvement projects.

Create and modify engineering documentation, 3-D models, drawings, and product structures using engineering software tools.

Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • Experience with mechanical design, product development, and engineering problem-solving.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD modeling and engineering drawing creation. (Creo preferred)
  • Experience analyzing product or component failures and performing root cause analysis.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, drawings, and test results.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with engineering, manufacturing, and validation teams.
  • Ability to support prototype, pilot, and production builds in a hands-on environment.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Desired Experience
  • Experience in a production environment working with cross functional teams.
  • Experience with manufacturing, fabrication, or assembly operations.
  • Database Management.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

Salary Range: $70,000-$95,000 Commensurate with Experience

About RFA Engineering

RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.

Competitive Benefits
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • TelaDoc Healthiest You
  • Supplemental Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Short-term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • HSA for Medical Expenses
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly

#ZR

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.

Qualifications Education Preferred

Bachelors of Science or better in Industrial Engineering or related field.

Bachelors of Science or better in Manufacturing Engineering or related field.

Bachelors of Science or better in Manufacturing Engineering Technology or related field.

Bachelors of Science or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

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