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Freight Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Lead Logistics Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

About the Role Uber Freight is seeking a Lead Logistics Engineer to help design, analyze, and optimize complex freight networks at scale. This role sits at the intersection of data, technology, and ...

Lead Logistics Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

About the Role Uber Freight is seeking a Lead Logistics Engineer to help design, analyze, and optimize complex freight networks at scale. This role sits at the intersection of data, technology, and ...

Freight Specialist

Granite City, IL · On-site

$23 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Boise Cascade has an exciting opening for a Freight Specialist! Responsibilities Schedule the ... plywood and engineered wood products in North America. Because our business is built on ...

Freight Specialist

Granite City, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Boise Cascade has an exciting opening for a Freight Specialist! Responsibilities Schedule the ... plywood and engineered wood products in North America. Because our business is built on ...

Lead Logistics Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$131 - $160/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

About the Role Uber Freight is seeking a Lead Logistics Engineer to help design, analyze, and optimize complex freight networks at scale. This role sits at the intersection of data, technology, and ...

New

Your work has a direct impact on our freight costs and the experience our customers get on delivery ... Packaging Engineer JD What's in it for you? * Robust health, dental, and vision coverage that ...

Sr. Strategic Data Finance Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Uber Freight is a fast growing business and you would be partnering closely with business unit ... Partner closely with Data Engineering to build robust, automated data pipelines and validation ...

Sr. Strategic Data Finance Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Uber Freight is a fast growing business and you would be partnering closely with business unit ... Partner closely with Data Engineering to build robust, automated data pipelines and validation ...

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Showing results 1-20

Freight Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$34.4K

$93.1K

$162.8K

How much do freight engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for freight engineer in Illinois is $93,130.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $104,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freight engineer?

A Freight Engineer is a professional who designs, optimizes, and manages systems for transporting goods efficiently and safely. They analyze shipping routes, develop logistics solutions, and work with various stakeholders to ensure timely deliveries while minimizing costs and environmental impact. Freight Engineers may also implement technology and automation to improve freight operations and address challenges such as capacity, regulations, and sustainability within the supply chain.

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

To thrive as a Freight Engineer, you need a solid background in logistics, transportation planning, and supply chain management, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with logistics management systems (LMS), route optimization software, and relevant certifications such as Six Sigma or APICS is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help differentiate top professionals in this role. These skills are crucial for designing efficient freight systems, reducing costs, and ensuring timely and reliable delivery within complex transportation networks.

How does a freight engineer typically collaborate with logistics and operations teams to optimize transportation solutions?

Freight Engineers work closely with logistics coordinators, operations teams, and sometimes clients to design and implement efficient transportation solutions. They analyze shipment data, routes, and carrier performance, then recommend improvements to reduce costs and enhance delivery timelines. Regular meetings and data sharing are essential, as Freight Engineers rely on input from operations to identify bottlenecks and test new strategies. This collaborative environment helps ensure that proposed engineering solutions are practical and aligned with real-world logistics challenges.

What is the difference between Freight Engineer vs Rail Signal Engineer?

AspectFreight EngineerRail Signal Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering degree, certifications in freight or transportation systemsElectrical or electronics engineering degree, certifications in signaling systems
Work EnvironmentFreight yards, transportation hubs, railroadsRailway control centers, trackside signaling systems, maintenance facilities
Employer & IndustryFreight rail companies, logistics firmsRailway operators, transit authorities
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both Freight Engineers and Rail Signal Engineers work within the rail industry, Freight Engineers focus on the operation and safety of freight trains, including train handling and logistics. Rail Signal Engineers specialize in the design, installation, and maintenance of signaling systems that control train movements. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path based on their skills and interests in rail operations or signaling technology.

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Freight Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Freight Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Freight Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,130 per year, or $44.8 per hour.

Lead Logistics Engineer

Uber Freight

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Uber Freight rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

171st of 365 rated logistics


Job description

Schedule: Full Time
Job Type: Hybrid
Salary Type: Salary
Req #: 3123
No immigration sponsorship or transfer available for this role.
About the Role
Uber Freight is seeking a Lead Logistics Engineer to help design, analyze, and optimize complex freight networks at scale. This role sits at the intersection of data, technology, and logistics operations, supporting strategic and tactical decisions through rigorous analysis, modeling, and collaboration. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of freight economics and network behavior, pairs it with advanced analytical skills, and translates insights into scalable, repeatable solutions that drive measurable business impact. This role partners closely with Product, Operations, Data Science, and Leadership to improve efficiency, service, and profitability across Uber Freight's network.
What you will do:
Logistics Engineering & Network Optimization
  • Analyze and optimize freight routing, capacity utilization, and cost structures across complex transportation networks.
  • Apply optimization techniques to balance cost, capacity, service level, and operational constraints.
  • Identify network inefficiencies and design solutions that improve margin, service reliability, and scalability.
  • Support initiatives related to continuous moves, dedicated fleets, loop based networks, and specialized routing strategies.

Data Analysis & Technical Development
  • Conduct deep dive analyses using SQL, Python, Excel (advanced formulas), and GCP tools to support engineering and business decisions.
  • Build and maintain repeatable analytical frameworks for ongoing network evaluation and performance monitoring.
  • Work with large scale datasets, databases, and ETL pipelines in fast moving operational environments.
  • Develop dashboards, KPIs, and operational reporting using Tableau, Power BI, or similar BI tools.

Decision Support & Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Partner with leadership to deliver scenario analysis and data backed recommendations aligned with industry best practices.
  • Prioritize work based on business impact, risk, and operational urgency, balancing short term needs with long term strategy.
  • Collaborate cross functionally with Product, Operations, Engineering, and Analytics teams to ensure solutions are well integrated and operationally viable.
  • Communicate complex concepts clearly through strong visual design, storytelling, and written documentation.

Documentation & Continuous Improvement
  • Produce detailed documentation and knowledge transfer materials to ensure solutions are sustainable, scalable, and repeatable.
  • Maintain a continuous improvement mindset, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance tools, processes, and methodologies.
  • Incorporate user feedback to refine analytical products and improve adoption and usability.

General Skills & Competencies
  • Strong understanding of freight economics, cost drivers, and logistics network sensitivities.
  • Highly analytical with the ability to think creatively and systematically about complex routing problems.
  • Excellent organizational and prioritization skills in ambiguous, fast paced environments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on clarity, influence, and collaboration.
  • Ability to apply visual design principles to make analytical outputs intuitive and actionable.

Basic Qualifications
  • 7+ years of experience in logistics, transportation, freight brokerage, or supply chain industry experience & network design
  • Advanced proficiency in SQL and Excel (complex formulas, scenario modeling).
  • Familiarity with databases, ETL workflows, and large scale operational datasets.
  • Experience building dashboards and operational metrics in Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with VBA or legacy analytical tools.
  • Familiarity with optimization methodologies related to routing, capacity planning, and service level tradeoffs.
  • Hands-on experience with Python for data analysis and modeling is a plus.
  • Experience working within the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) ecosystem.

Benefits & Compensation for U.S. Employees
Employees working more than 30 hours in the US at Uber Freight are eligible for benefits like a company sponsored health plan, dental and vision benefits, 401k match, financial and mental wellness benefits, parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage, life insurance and more. US based employees may also be eligible for a performance or sales incentive bonus program, participation in Uber Freight equity awards, and other types of compensation depending upon the role.
  • Illinois: The target salary range for this role is: $131,000 - $160,000

About Uber Freight
Uber Freight helps companies move goods more reliably and efficiently. We bring together the technology, people, and transportation capacity they need, using real-time data from millions of shipments to guide smarter decisions. That helps customers spot issues early, avoid costly surprises, and deliver on time. Uber Freight works with 1 in 3 Fortune 500 shippers across North America and manages over $17B in freight. Learn more at www.uberfreight.com.
Candidate Privacy Notice
Uber Freight is committed to protecting the privacy of our candidates. We collect and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. For detailed information on how we handle candidate data, please review our Candidate Privacy Notice.
EEOC
Uber Freight is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

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