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Founding Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Quality Engineer

Carol Stream, IL

$74K - $95K/yr

The Quality Engineer is responsible for strengthening product quality, reducing scrap/returns, and ... Since its founding over 40 years ago The Heico Companies has grown from a single business to over ...

Engineer II

La Grange, IL · On-site

$57K - $106K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest and most ... Education / Training • BS in Mechanical Engineering with 2+ years of experience or MS in ...

New

Engineering Specialist

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate ... Advanced preparation for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Compensation Range The anticipated ...

Engineering Specialist

Oak Brook, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate ... Advanced preparation for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Compensation RangeThe anticipated ...

Quality Engineer

Carol Stream, IL · On-site

$74K - $95K/yr

The Quality Engineer is responsible for strengthening product quality, reducing scrap/returns, and ... Since its founding over 40 years ago The Heico Companies has grown from a single business to over ...

Engineering Specialist

Geneva, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate ... Advanced preparation for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Compensation RangeThe anticipated ...

Engineering Specialist

Chicago, IL

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate ... Advanced preparation for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Compensation RangeThe anticipated ...

The Founding Team Isaac Chambers * 3x founder * Started his career at Deloitte Consulting, focusing ... Full-stack engineering leader * Previously an engineer at Palantir and Pave * While at Pave (where ...

Strong candidates have been forward deployed engineers, applied engineers, ML engineers, founding engineers, or technical founders. The shape of the work matters, not the label. You ship applications ...

New

Design Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

HBK Engineering, LLC is a fully licensed, professional engineering design firm headquartered in ... Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate ...

Founding Market Lead, Illinois

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Role We're looking for a Founding Market Lead to launch and scale the Illinois region - one of ... equity, engineering, operations, tech or early-stage startups ). Founder mentality: You operate ...

Showing results 41-60

Founding Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.9K

$71.5K

$121.7K

How much do founding engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for founding engineer in Chicago, IL is $71,509.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,100.00 and $80,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the biggest challenges a founding engineer typically faces at an early-stage startup?

As a Founding Engineer, you’ll often be tasked with building a product from the ground up while balancing rapid development with long-term technical vision. Resource constraints and evolving product requirements can require creative problem-solving and the ability to prioritize effectively. You’ll work closely with the founding team, making pivotal decisions that shape both technology and culture, so adaptability and a hands-on approach are important. While the environment can be demanding and ambiguous, it also offers unique opportunities to learn, take ownership, and have a major impact on the success of the company.

What is a founding engineer?

A Founding Engineer is one of the first technical hires at a startup, responsible for building the company's core products and setting the foundation for its technology stack. They work closely with the founders, making key architectural decisions, writing production-ready code, and often wearing multiple hats across engineering, product, and strategy. This role requires a mix of deep technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, early-stage environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the founding engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Founding Engineer, you need deep expertise in software development, system architecture, and product design, typically backed by experience with startups or building products from scratch. Familiarity with modern programming languages, cloud platforms, and agile tools such as Git, AWS, and Jira is often essential. Exceptional problem-solving, strong ownership mentality, and the ability to communicate clearly in fast-paced, unstructured environments set standout candidates apart. These skills are crucial because Founding Engineers must quickly turn vision into reality, adapt to changing needs, and help establish the technical foundation of a new company.

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

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

Infographic showing various Founding Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,509 per year, or $34.4 per hour.

Associate Graduate Engineer - Civil

HBK Engineering, LLC

Oak Brook, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

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, structural, electrical, subsurface utility, construction support services and permitting facilitation. Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate services in extremely time-sensitive, multilayered environments. That "industry-recognized" performance has propelled our expansion and the ability to provide engineering services in all 50 states. With 25 offices nationwide, including concentrations in the Midwest and on the Coasts, HBK brings together a dedicated team whose main focus is the design and protection of utilities and utility networks. We have successfully performed engineering work for a complete spectrum of utility infrastructure projects providing solutions and construction support from Coast to Coast in areas ranging from complex urban city centers, to rural greenfields, to limited access rights-of-way. In July 2020, HBK Engineering was acquired by Quanta Services. Quanta Services provides infrastructure services for electric power, pipeline, and communications industries and employees over 50,000 people. Quanta's focus on the utility industry and HBK's focus on constructability in our designs has made our integration into the Quanta family of companies seamless.

About this Role

HBK Engineering is seeking entry-level Civil including recent graduates, who have an interest in working in the energy sector. An Associate Graduate Engineer at HBK Engineering is a position designed for recent engineering graduates entering the professional workforce. This entry-level role involves designing engineering systems for overhead and subsurface utility projects while developing creative and unique solutions to address complex electrical, structural, civil, and construction-related challenges. The position provides comprehensive exposure to all phases of the design lifecycle from initiation through construction completion and project closeout, offering an excellent foundation for career growth in engineering. Office location: Chicago or Oak Brook, IL

What You'll Do
  • Design engineering systems in compliance with specifications, codes, and client requirements for overhead and subsurface utility projects
  • Deploy creative and unique solutions to address complex electrical, structural, civil, and construction-related challenges
  • Own all phases of the design lifecycle from project initiation through construction completion and closeout
  • Prepare detailed engineering and construction documents using AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS systems, and client-specific enterprise asset management platforms
  • Analyze information from topographical surveys, utility atlas information, field sketches, client records, and manufacturer equipment datasheets
  • Independently manage time and schedule to achieve project milestones
  • Perform field walkdowns with internal staff, clients, customers, governance authorities, and construction partners
  • Travel as needed, typically less than 25%
What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related degree from an ABET-accredited program
  • EIT Certification (preferred)
  • 0 to 2 years of relevant experience
  • US driver's license and US work authorization
  • Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams
  • Strong technology skills and understanding of the Office365 suite of tools
  • Working knowledge of 2D CADD software (AutoCAD or similar) including generating layout drawings and project materials
  • Understanding of remote communication software
  • Ability to quickly come up to speed on in-process projects and hit the ground running
  • Experience collaborating with teams to complete larger projects
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Persistence to see projects through to completion
  • Adaptability to change in a dynamic team environment.
What You'll Get
  • Comprehensive entry-level engineering experience with diverse project exposure
  • Professional development opportunities in utility engineering design
  • Mentorship and training from experienced engineering professionals
  • Hands-on experience with industry-standard software and design tools
  • Field experience through walkdowns and client interactions
  • Travel opportunities for project work and professional growth
  • Collaborative work environment with interdisciplinary teams
  • Clear career progression pathway within the HBK Organization's Engineering Track
  • Foundation for pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability and employer paid life insurance. In addition, all full-time roles are also eligible for 401(k) retirement plan with company match, paid time off and holidays. Tuition reimbursement and other role specific company paid professional development opportunities are also available.
Compensation RangeThe anticipated compensation for this position is USD $64,000.00/Yr. - USD $66,000.00/Yr. depending on experience and qualifications.Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company's Human Resources department.

Employment Type: OTHER