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Entry Level Simulation Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics ...

Staff Engineer

Hoffman Estates, IL ยท On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics ...

Staff Engineer

Aurora, IL ยท On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics ...

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics ...

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics ...

Municipal Engineer

Hoffman Estates, IL ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics ...

Application Engineer

Cary, IL ยท On-site

$74K - $137K/yr

This is an entry level rotational position for STEM bachelor level graduates who have limited ... Simulation, Physical Design, Analog Layout, Advanced Verification or Hardware Emulation. This ...

Application Engineer

Cary, IL ยท On-site

$74K - $137K/yr

This is an entry level rotational position for STEM bachelor level graduates who have limited ... Simulation, Physical Design, Analog Layout, Advanced Verification or Hardware Emulation. This ...

Application Engineer

Cary, IL ยท On-site

$74K - $137K/yr

This is an entry level rotational position for STEM bachelor level graduates who have limited ... Simulation, Physical Design, Analog Layout, Advanced Verification or Hardware Emulation. This ...

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Simulation Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$40.2K

$127.1K

$196.2K

How much do entry level simulation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level simulation engineer in Chicago, IL is $127,119.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,800.00 and $150,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level simulation engineer do?

An Entry Level Simulation Engineer assists in developing, testing, and analyzing computer models that simulate real-world processes, such as mechanical systems, fluid dynamics, or electronic circuits. They work closely with senior engineers to interpret data, validate simulation results, and improve model accuracy. Their responsibilities often include running simulations, troubleshooting code, preparing technical reports, and learning industry-standard software. This role is foundational for gaining hands-on experience in engineering analysis and simulation tools.

What are some typical projects or tasks an entry level simulation engineer can expect to work on during their first year?

As an Entry Level Simulation Engineer, you can expect to work on supporting senior engineers with the development, testing, and validation of simulation models for products or systems. Your daily tasks may include setting up simulation environments, running computational analyses, documenting findings, and troubleshooting discrepancies between simulated and real-world results. You will likely collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as product design, software development, and testing, gaining exposure to a variety of engineering disciplines. This hands-on experience is valuable for building technical proficiency and understanding best practices in simulation within your industry.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Simulation Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, mathematics, and computer science, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with simulation software such as MATLAB, Simulink, or ANSYS, as well as programming languages like Python or C++, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and interpret complex data. These competencies ensure accurate model development, efficient troubleshooting, and successful project outcomes in engineering environments.

What is the difference between Entry Level Simulation Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Simulation EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field; basic knowledge of simulation softwareBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; proficiency in CAD software
Work EnvironmentEngineering teams, R&D labs, software toolsDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, CAD labs
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing companiesProduct design firms, manufacturing industries
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Entry Level Simulation Engineer and Mechanical Design Engineer roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, often within manufacturing and aerospace industries. While simulation engineers focus on modeling and testing systems virtually, mechanical design engineers concentrate on creating physical product designs. Both roles are essential in product development, but they differ in their core responsibilities and tools used.

What are the most commonly searched types of Simulation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Simulation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Simulation Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,119 per year, or $61.1 per hour.

Quantum Software Engineer - Compiler & Control Systems

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Position Summary
This Quantum Software Engineer role will join the Compiler Team within Infleqtion's Quantum Software organization. The role will design, build, and maintain quantum compilation software, with particular responsibility for the interface between quantum circuits, error-correction software, and hardware control systems.
The role combines hands-on software development, system design, code review, and R&D. It will contribute to co-design efforts spanning applications, algorithms, compilation, error decoding, hardware, and control. Ideal candidates have a strong software engineering background and are interested in learning the quantum-computing and hardware-control context needed for the role.
This role is open to both entry-level and senior-level candidates.
Job Responsibilities
  • The duties and responsibilities outlined below include essential functions of the role. Depending on business needs, this role may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.
  • Conduct R&D toward advances in quantum compilation, execution, and fault-tolerant quantum computing, similar to work described in https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.05157 and https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.13247.
  • Design and implement software interfaces and intermediate representations that translate compiled quantum circuits into executable control-system programs, including gate operations, timing, qubit movement, measurement, and other hardware functionality.
  • Develop software that connects quantum error-correction circuits with decoding and execution systems, including representation and processing of measurement results, syndrome data, decoder outputs, and Pauli-frame updates.
  • Collaborate with hardware, control, and experimental teams to define stable, well-documented interfaces between compilation software and the control system.
  • Build tooling to validate, simulate, test, and debug circuit-to-control translations, including timing constraints, hardware capabilities, and execution results.
  • Deploy software optimizations to our cloud platform Superstaq using industry-grade software engineering procedures, including documentation, linting, testing, type checking, and code review.
  • Contribute to development of government and commercial proposals and execution on global programs.
  • Collaborate with experimental physicists, control engineers, and software engineers to bridge theoretical concepts and practical implementation.
  • Engage with the broader scientific community by publishing research findings in scientific journals and presenting at conferences.
  • Stay up to date with developments in compiler design, quantum computer architecture, control systems, error correction, decoding, and related fields.
  • Provide guidance and support to other team members, fostering a collaborative research environment.

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, physics, or a directly related field.
  • High proficiency in programming, with fluency in Python preferred. Proficiency in C++, Rust or another systems-oriented language, with the ability to rapidly upskill in Python, is also welcome.
  • Experience designing, building, or maintaining complex software systems, such as compilers, intermediate representations, runtimes, simulators, distributed systems, embedded/control software, or performance-critical scientific software.
  • Ability to reason clearly about software interfaces, data models, APIs, and the tradeoffs between abstraction, performance, and maintainability.
  • Experience with software testing and debugging, including unit tests, integration tests, type checking, version control, and CI/CD practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with all levels of an organization, including professional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work comfortably in a highly collaborative, cross-functional, team-oriented, and matrixed environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn new and complex topics quickly, including a willingness to develop familiarity with quantum -computing concepts through work with domain experts.
  • Resourceful problem-solver who collaboratively identifies effective paths forward and can execute productization efforts.
  • Passion for solving complex problems and challenges in a highly technical and scientific environment.
  • Ability to be in the office any three days per week.
  • Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally up to 10%.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with compiler infrastructure, scheduling, instruction selection, intermediate representations, program analysis, or code generation.
  • Experience with real-time, embedded, hardware-control, or scientific-instrumentation software; familiarity with timing-sensitive execution systems is particularly valuable.
  • Experience building software that integrates measurement data, feedback, calibration data, telemetry, or other hardware-generated data into an execution pipeline.
  • Familiarity with quantum error correction, decoders, stabilizer simulation, fault tolerance, or syndrome processing.
  • Familiarity with quantum computing concepts such as native gate decomposition, qubit mapping and routing, circuit scheduling, and hardware-aware compilation.
  • Experience with open-source quantum software frameworks such as Cirq, Qiskit, Stim, or similar tools.
  • Experience developing or optimizing scientific, simulation, decoding, or data-processing workloads for high-performance computing environments, including GPU-accelerated or distributed systems.
  • Experience with backend development using tools such as FastAPI, PostgreSQL, or SQLAlchemy.
  • Experience with cloud development, especially on GCP or AWS.
  • Familiarity with security best practices, including access control, encryption at rest, key rotation, and logging.
  • Exposure to or interest in front-end or GUI development, such as HTML/CSS, React, or PyQt.

Benefits
  • Salary range: $145,000 to $170,000 per year
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability
  • Employer-funded Health Savings Account
  • Unlimited PTO
  • 401(k) match
  • Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Flexible Savings Account
  • Paid FMLA, Maternity/Paternity Leave
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Student Loan Repayment
  • Equity Package

Equal Opportunity
Here you have freedom to embrace your whole self: who you love, your gender identity and expression, skin color, age, appearance, disability, neurodiversity, DNA, military/veteran status, citizenship, and other factors that make up who you are. Your uniqueness is valued, welcomed, and appreciated here. We are dedicated to providing a positive workplace and base all employment decisions on your qualifications, performance, merits, as well as business needs. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Note
This position may require access to information protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations for quantum computing technology. Please note that any offer for employment may be conditioned on authorization to receive software or technology controlled under these U.S. export control laws and regulations without sponsorship for an export license.
Contact Information
If this opportunity interests you and you fit the job description, please submit an application. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability, please feel free to contact us at hr@infleqtion.com.
Notice to Recruitment Agencies:
Infleqtion does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Infleqtion is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.