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Freight Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$114K - $137K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... freight quickly and reliably. Roadrunner is growing and looking for a highly motivated Data ... Summary: We are seeking an experienced Data Engineer with expertise in the Microsoft Business ...

Data Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$114K - $137K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... freight quickly and reliably. Roadrunner is growing and looking for a highly motivated Data ... Summary: We are seeking an experienced Data Engineer with expertise in the Microsoft Business ...

Data Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$114K - $137K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... freight quickly and reliably. Roadrunner is growing and looking for a highly motivated Data ... Summary: We are seeking an experienced Data Engineer with expertise in the Microsoft Business ...

Data Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$114K - $137K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... freight quickly and reliably. Roadrunner is growing and looking for a highly motivated Data ... Summary: We are seeking an experienced Data Engineer with expertise in the Microsoft Business ...

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

S. freight operations. In this role, you'll be a full member of our core engineering team, but deployed directly into the environments where our product meets the real world. You'll build production ...

Logistics Service Providers -- freight forwarders, brokers, and 3PLs -- sell logistics as their ... Forward-deployed engineering. AI coding tools across the workflow. Agents as the product surface.

Senior Rail Track Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Track and Civil Engineer will lead the planning, design, and delivery of rail and transit track ... Interface with clients, transit agencies, freight railroads, and regulatory authorities (e.g., FRA ...

Solutions Architect - Freight Technology

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$65 - $85.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Solutions Engineer you'll serve as the primary technical and business advisor for project44 ... Non-Asset 3PLs & Freight Brokers: Managing carrier networks at scale, with pressure to provide ...

Pre-Sales Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Our mission is to streamline freight brokerage, carrier management, and 3PL operations through automation, freeing teams to focus on high-value strategic work. We're looking for a Sales Engineer who ...

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Showing results 21-40

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.

Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager - Transportation

Burns & McDonnell

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Burns & McDonnell rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 80 rated construction


Job description

Burns & McDonnell is seeking a Freight Rail Engineering Project Manager to join our rapidly growing Transportation Practice. Our ideal candidate will be someone with excellent client interaction skills who can manage and lead planning and design teams for engineering projects both locally and across the nation.
In this position, you will be a key part of a seller/doer team and you will manage all aspects of railroad/transit engineering projects from business development, scope and fee development, staffing plan development, project oversight, quality management, and financial performance responsibilities.  A major emphasis will be placed on leading rail industrial development projects to successful completion.

Responsibilities

  • Adhere to Burns & McDonnell’s safety programs, training, and policies, as well as promote and manage the Safety & Health performance of project team members and subcontractors.
  • Work with a multi-discipline team of engineers and technicians in the design and analysis of rail engineering projects as well as the contractors and construction staff on design/build projects.
  • Provides leadership and guidance in multiple facets of projects including safety, quality, engineering, procurement, construction, environmental compliance, project controls, and public/community relations.
  • Develop new and manage existing client relationships while interfacing with the client for proposal and project-related items.
  • Lead internal and external project risk reviews and consult with the Legal Department as required.
  • Client development, maintenance, and management; contract preparation and negotiation; coordination with regulatory agencies; project planning, budgeting, and scheduling; and the establishment of critical project objectives and performances.
  • Plans, organizes, and communicates project personnel needs to department and section management.
  • Mentors less experienced staff on technical aspects of a project.
  • Serves as a leader improving the latest technologies in rail engineering and transportation planning.
  • Leading project planning, budgeting and establishing critical project objectives.
  • Analyze and communicate project status, risks, schedule and costs to all internal and external stakeholders.
  • Manage downstream contract administration including request for information (RFI’s), submittals, change management, contract closeout, and claims mitigation.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field from an accredited curriculum.
  • Minimum 7 years related experience (15 preferred), including 5 or more years in the development of or management of rail engineering or architectural projects.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) strongly preferred.
  • Experience managing rail industrial development design-build projects preferred.
  • Ability to work with existing and new clients to identify new projects, articulate to the clients our ability to perform those projects, and translate that into the sale of consulting services.
  • Ability to lead multi-discipline teams of engineers.
  • Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and presentation skills.
  • Ability to perform under pressure and tight deadlines while managing multiple projects concurrently, including identification of critical path items to ensure deliverable deadlines are met.
  • Ability to focus on the big picture to effectively and efficiently provide services that meet client needs, while also having the ability to identify and analyze details that are critical to project outcomes.
  • Willingness to learn new service offerings as client needs and the market requires changes to the service offerings provided by our group.
  • Willingness and ability to develop a broad set of service offering types to allow for flexibility to sell work in growing markets.
  • Willingness to cross-sell other services offered by Burns & McDonnell outside the project manager’s core set of services.
  • Ability to communicate with various business contacts to understand their needs and translate them into a scope of work that meets their desired outcomes.
  • Knowledge of rail engineering methodologies and standards.
  • Knowledge of engineering software including MicroStation, OpenRail, Geopak, Inroads, or equivalent design/production software.
  • Experience working with rail clients.

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About Burns & McDonnell

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Burns & McDonnell assists clients of all sizes and industries by providing extensive physical services ranging from assessments, integrated security solutions, and large security architecture designs. Services we typically provide include security and safety system design, threat, risk, and vulnerability assessments, security surveys, security master planning, compliance to federal security programs, independent validation and verification of integrated security system operations, management of installation and maintenance, and staff augmentation to develop and implement facility management and protection processes.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, MO, US

Year founded

1898

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