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Freelance Process Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Smokeball

Template Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$19.25 - $26.50/hr

... our freelance team before it reaches clients. The best part? You'll set the standard, not just ... As the technical expert your colleagues rely on, you'll partner with Legal Engineers, Product, and ...

LVMH Group

Regional Sales Manager-Chicago

Chicago, IL · On-site

$117 - $161/hr

... promotional programming to maximize efficiency and profitability within the assigned region ... Monitor and control expenses (T&E, freelance) within the set budget. * Ensure compliance with ...

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All JobsProcess Engineer JobsFreelance Process Engineer JobsFreelance Process Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Freelance Process Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$51K

$94.8K

$146.8K

How much do freelance process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance process engineer in Chicago, IL is $94,792.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,700.00 and $106,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance process engineer?

A Freelance Process Engineer is a professional who designs, optimizes, and troubleshoots industrial processes on a contract or project basis, rather than as a full-time employee. They work with companies in industries like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or energy to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. Freelance Process Engineers often handle multiple clients, offering flexibility and specialized expertise for short-term or ongoing projects. They may be involved in process design, simulation, equipment selection, or regulatory compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance process engineer?

To thrive as a Freelance Process Engineer, a strong background in chemical or mechanical engineering, process optimization, and project management, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and professional certification, is essential. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as AutoCAD, Aspen HYSYS, and process simulation software is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and client management skills help freelancers stand out by effectively addressing client needs and adapting to diverse projects. These abilities enable the engineer to deliver efficient solutions, ensure client satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge in the freelance marketplace.

How do freelance process engineers typically collaborate with client teams during projects?

Freelance Process Engineers often work closely with client teams by participating in regular virtual meetings, providing detailed progress updates, and integrating feedback to ensure alignment with project goals. Effective collaboration may require adapting to different communication styles and project management tools used by various organizations. Building strong professional relationships and being proactive in clarifying expectations are key to overcoming challenges such as remote integration and limited onsite presence. This collaborative approach helps ensure successful project delivery and client satisfaction.

What is the difference between Freelance Process Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectFreelance Process EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering degree, certifications optionalEngineering degree, professional certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteFull-time, employed by a company, on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageClients across industries, contract-basedManufacturing, chemical, or industrial firms
Search & Comparison IntentFreelance Process Engineer vs Process EngineerFreelance Process Engineer vs Process Engineer

While both roles focus on optimizing processes, a Freelance Process Engineer works independently on various client projects, often remotely, and may lack the full-time employment benefits. A Process Engineer is typically employed full-time within a company, focusing on ongoing process improvements in a specific industry. The choice depends on your preference for independence versus stability.

Are freelance process engineers in high demand?

Freelance process engineers are in increasing demand due to the need for specialized expertise in optimizing manufacturing and industrial processes. Their skills in process analysis, project management, and familiarity with tools like CAD and simulation software make them valuable for companies seeking flexible, cost-effective solutions. Demand varies by industry and region but generally remains strong as companies focus on efficiency and innovation.

Can a freelance process engineer work from home?

A freelance process engineer can often work from home, especially if their projects involve designing processes, analyzing data, or creating documentation that can be done remotely. However, some tasks may require on-site visits or collaboration with manufacturing teams, depending on the project requirements and client needs.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Process Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Freelance Process Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Process Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Process Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Freelance Process Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Freelance Process Engineer job openings:

Freelance Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Process Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,792 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

Template Specialist

Smokeball

Chicago, IL • On-site

$19.25 - $26.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Consult with clients to gather requirements, translate them into build instructions, upload templates, test, and improve templates based on feedback.

  • Execute template building and quality assurance according to set standards, troubleshoot technical issues, and serve as the final decision-maker on template readiness.

  • Collaborate with teams to adopt AI tools, improve workflows, and define and evolve template quality standards.

Job description

About Smokeball
With offices in Australia, the US, and the UK, Smokeball is the leading provider of legal practice management software helping small and mid-sized legal practices run their best firm and live their best life. We're passionate about what we do, and our clients know it!
Culture plays a big part in our success, and our clear purpose and vision motivate us daily.
About the Job
Are you a paralegal or legal assistant who loves creating polished documents, solving tricky formatting challenges, and finding smarter ways to work? At Smokeball, you'll combine your legal expertise with technology to help law firms build better document automation and AI-powered drafting solutions.
As part of TemplateLab, one of Smokeball's premium document drafting solutions, you'll work directly with law firms to understand their document needs, transform those requirements into high-quality templates, and ensure every deliverable meets our exceptionally high standards. You'll also be the final quality checkpoint, reviewing and signing off on work configured by our freelance team before it reaches clients.
The best part? You'll set the standard, not just follow one. You'll shape how templates are built, delivered, and improved, and work closely with clients to determine whether traditional templates or AI-assisted drafting best serves their use case. As the technical expert your colleagues rely on, you'll partner with Legal Engineers, Product, and client-facing teams to surface client needs, shape decisions, and sharpen the tools behind the work.
One more thing... We're hiring two roles, one junior and one more experienced. So, if you're excited about the role but don't tick every box below, we'd still love to hear from you. We care just as much about curiosity, potential, and a willingness to learn as we do about experience.
This is a hybrid role based in our office in Chicago, IL. All Chicagoland employees are required to be in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Key Responsibilities
Document Templates, Quality & Delivery
  • Consult with clients who purchase custom template packages, gathering their requirements, translating them into clear build instructions, uploading templates into clients' accounts and testing them, and owning improvements through the post-completion feedback period.
  • Execute template building and template quality assurance based on standards set for all document template solutions (court & authority forms, starter templates, and custom templates).
  • Troubleshoot complex technical issues and serve as the final decision-maker on template readiness before release to clients.
  • Research, design, build, and maintain court captions across areas of law and jurisdictions using Smokeball's configuration application, including collaborating with clients to capture caption needs.
  • Configure and deliver new-firm letterhead during onboarding, along with paid letterhead customizations, building reusable solutions that control formatting and behavior across templates.
  • Work closely with the Legal Product Operations Manager to maintain and evolve Smokeball's library of 20,000+ court and agency forms, using client usage data and jurisdictional changes to prioritize what to add, update, or retire.
  • Liase with our team of template-building contractors by answering questions, reviewing work, and providing feedback.

Collaboration, AI & Continuous Improvement
  • Adopt emerging AI and automation tools to accelerate template development and help decide which documents are best kept as traditional templates versus AI-assisted drafting.
  • Partner with Legal Engineers, Product, and Client Success to resolve issues, improve tooling and workflows, and reinforce quality standards.
  • Define and evolve template quality standards, surfacing gaps and risks and driving process improvements that reduce rework and scale over time.

Skills & Experience
  • 3+ years in a law firm (1-30 employees) in a legal support role (e.g. paralegal or legal assistant), with hands-on experience drafting legal documents and/or court forms.
  • Experience with document templates, document automation tools, or form building/configuration - strongly preferred.
  • Confident working directly with clients: gathering requirements, managing follow-up, and setting realistic expectations.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and a track record of highly accurate work in a detail-oriented environment.
  • Strong ownership and judgment - able to work independently, act with urgency, and hold a high bar for quality.
  • Curious, adaptable, and excited to use AI tools to work more efficiently.
  • Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or equivalent professional experience.

Nice to Have
  • Experience with Smokeball or a similar legal practice management platform.
  • Experience working with outsourcing teams or reviewing delegated work.
  • Familiarity with multiple areas of law and their document workflows.
  • Experience using AI in a work context, both for document drafting and to streamline day-to-day work.

Compensation
Jnr Template Specialist: $70-$80k
Template Specialist: $80- $90k
What's in it for you?
Competitive Salary
Work-Life Balance: 20 vacation days, 3 reboot days, birthday off, volunteer time, and more!
Benefits: Excellent medical, dental, vision coverage. 401(k) match, & monthly wellness stipend
Parental leave
Office lunch and loads of snacks
And of course...the SWAG!
Want to Know More?
Why do we do what we do? Where did the name 'Smokeball' come from? What are our values? Learn more here!
*Smokeball values diversity & inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Smokeball considers all individuals seeking employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
If you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't check every box.

Apply