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Entry Level Engineering Jobs in DeKalb, IL (NOW HIRING)

International Paper

Structural Designer

Aurora, IL

$57K - $76K/yr

... entry-level Structural Designer to join our Retail Display & Packaging team at the Aurora Customer ... Create prototypes, samples, engineering drawings, and specifications for customer review and ...

Chemtech Plastics, Inc.

Purchasing

Elgin, IL · On-site

$65K/yr

Entry Level Purchasing 1st shift E-Verify Location: Elgin, IL | On-Site JOB SUMMARY: Primary Duties ... Work closely with engineers and estimators to facilitate project quotes, color chip approval, and ...

J L CLARK INC

Operator Mechanic - 1st Shift

Rockford, IL · On-site

$27.55 - $28.97/hr

Required** • Prior manufacturing experience, including machine operation and entry level ... Experience in reading engineering prints. Relationships: Inspection, Machine Shop, Tool Room ...

JL Clark

Operator Mechanic - 1st Shift

Rockford, IL · On-site

$27.55 - $28.97/hr

Required** • Prior manufacturing experience, including machine operation and entry level ... Experience in reading engineering prints. Relationships: Inspection, Machine Shop, Tool Room ...

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All JobsEngineering JobsEntry Level Engineering JobsEntry Level Engineering Jobs in DeKalb, IL

Entry Level Engineering information

See DeKalb, IL salary details

$29.4K

$68.1K

$115.8K

How much do entry level engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level engineering in DeKalb, IL is $68,078.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,500.00 and $77,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectEntry Level EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; often requires licensure for advanced roles
Work EnvironmentInternships, entry-level positions in offices, labs, or manufacturing plantsDesign, analysis, testing in offices, labs, manufacturing facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, manufacturing, construction, technology companiesManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy sectors

Entry Level Engineering typically involves foundational engineering tasks with a bachelor's degree, often in various disciplines, and is used across many industries. Mechanical Engineering is a specialized field focusing on design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems, often requiring specific technical skills and licensure for advanced roles. Both roles share similar work environments but differ in specialization and scope.

How to get into entry level engineering with no experience?

Entry level engineering positions often require a relevant degree in engineering or a related field. Gaining practical skills through internships, certifications, or personal projects can improve your chances, and demonstrating proficiency with tools like CAD or programming languages can be beneficial for entry-level candidates.

What is an entry level engineer?

Entry level engineering jobs are positions designed for recent graduates or individuals with limited professional experience in the engineering field. These roles typically involve assisting senior engineers with projects, performing basic technical tasks, and gaining hands-on experience in a specific engineering discipline such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. Entry level engineers often receive on-the-job training and mentoring to develop their skills and advance their careers. These roles serve as a foundation for future growth and specialization within the engineering industry.

How to get hired as an entry-level engineer?

To get hired as an entry-level engineer, candidates should obtain a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, develop practical skills through internships or projects, and demonstrate proficiency with industry tools and software. Building a strong resume that highlights technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork experience increases employment prospects. Certifications such as Engineer-in-Training (EIT) can also enhance job opportunities.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Engineer, you need a solid educational background in engineering fundamentals, strong problem-solving abilities, and proficiency in mathematics, usually obtained through a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with technical tools such as CAD software, industry-specific modeling programs, and basic project management systems is typically expected. Effective communication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn are important soft skills that help you integrate into engineering teams and adapt to new challenges. These skills and qualities are vital for ensuring accurate technical work, smooth collaboration, and ongoing professional development in a dynamic engineering environment.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an entry level engineer?

As an entry-level engineer, you’ll typically begin by supporting more senior engineers on a variety of projects, which may include drafting designs, running simulations, conducting data analysis, or assisting with testing and troubleshooting. Your daily tasks will often involve collaborating with team members, participating in meetings, and learning industry-specific tools and software. Over time, you'll gain more responsibility, such as managing small project components or communicating directly with clients. This role is designed to help you build foundational technical skills while gaining exposure to different aspects of engineering within your organization.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering jobs in DeKalb, IL? The most popular types of Engineering jobs in DeKalb, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Engineering jobs in DeKalb, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Engineering jobs in DeKalb, IL are:
What cities near DeKalb, IL are hiring for Entry Level Engineering jobs? Cities near DeKalb, IL with the most Entry Level Engineering job openings:
Entry Level Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Engineering job openings in DeKalb, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,078 per year, or $32.7 per hour.

Associate Water/Wastewater Engineer

Trilon

Rockford, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Are you a passionate water and wastewater engineer with a flair for designing innovative systems and analyzing treatment solutions? Fehr Graham is a fast-growing Midwest engineering and environmental firm looking for a motivated Associate Water/Wastewater Engineer to join our team. Here's the deal: we're all about shaping the future of our communities, and we need an enthusiastic engineer eager to tackle a wide range of projects. If you're hungry for knowledge, ready to make a difference, and dedicated to providing personalized attention to our clients, we want you on our team. 
Grow Your Career with Blueprint 
This role includes a guaranteed seat in Blueprint, our new early career leadership program for engineers looking to grow beyond the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on curriculum covering professional development, business acumen, and project delivery - including case studies, simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and concludes with an in-person capstone event where participants present their work and outline goals for the year ahead.  
Your Future Starts With A Plan. 
Where you'll work
The position is based in any of our 12 offices in Illinois, Iowa or Wisconsin. At Fehr Graham, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized attention and building trust with our clients. We believe in the power of skilled professionals who provide exceptional service. We also believe in work-life balance, and that includes injecting a healthy dose of fun into everything we do. It's even part of our Core Values! We celebrate milestones and enjoy friendly team-building activities and office outings after work. A happy and engaged work team is a successful one. Each of our offices brings an environment filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. We encourage our teams to connect on multiple levels and support each other's personal and professional growth.


As an Associate Water/Wastewater Engineer, you'll have the chance to unleash your potential and take on projects that expand your skills. You will: 
  • Provide water engineering design support, from water treatment plant upgrades to lead service line replacements. 
  • Provide wastewater engineering design support, from wastewater treatment plant retrofits to correcting effluent exceedances. 
  • Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjust and correlate data, and follow established procedures through detailed steps and processes. 
  • Draft reports, prepare plans, assist with specifications, and support preliminary equipment selections. 
  • Work directly with clients to gather data and share information. 
What it takes 
A bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering (or related field). This role is designed for early career engineers - 2 to 4 years of professional experience, including recent grads with relevant internship experience. Ideally, you'll also: 
  • Be a team player, working across departments to support firm goals. 
  • Speak and write well. 
  • Have strong analytical and organizational skills. 
  • Be eager to learn and grow within a structured mentorship environment. 
You'll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people-first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:
  • Medical/dental/vision
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401K Retirement Plan
  • Profit-sharing bonus plan
  • Paid time off
  • An awesome work environment.  
Learn more about Fehr Graham's people, culture and projects on our website. 
The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.
We may use AI-powered tools to support administrative aspects of recruiting, including sourcing support and note-taking. These tools do not evaluate candidates or influence screening, interview, or hiring decisions. Every candidate is reviewed and assessed by human recruiters and hiring managers.
Fehr Graham provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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