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Full Time Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Full Time Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$31

$70

How much do full time engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time engineer in Chicago, IL is $31.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.48 and $36.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a full time engineer?

A Full Time Engineer is a professional employed by an organization to work a standard number of hours per week, usually 35-40, focusing on engineering tasks related to their field. Their responsibilities typically include designing, developing, testing, and maintaining systems, products, or software. Full Time Engineers may work in various industries such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. They often collaborate with teams, contribute to projects, and ensure that technical standards and deadlines are met.

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

To thrive as a Full Time Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant engineering degree such as a B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering. Proficiency in technical tools like CAD software, MATLAB, or programming languages, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or industry-specific credentials, is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability are essential soft skills that help engineers collaborate and innovate effectively. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering high-quality solutions, meeting project goals, and advancing within a technical and collaborative environment.

What are some common challenges full time engineers face when working on cross-functional teams?

Full Time Engineers often collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers, which can lead to challenges such as aligning on priorities, communication gaps, and balancing technical feasibility with business goals. Navigating these dynamics requires strong communication skills and the ability to advocate for technical needs while remaining flexible. Regular stand-ups, clear documentation, and open feedback channels can help mitigate these challenges and ensure successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Full Time Engineer vs Part Time Engineer?

AspectFull Time EngineerPart Time Engineer
Work HoursTypically 35-40 hours per weekLess than 30 hours per week
Employment StatusFull-time employment, benefits includedPart-time employment, limited or no benefits
CertificationsUsually requires relevant engineering certificationsMay require similar certifications but often less experience needed
Work EnvironmentOffice, industrial, or project sitesSame as full-time, but with flexible hours

Full Time Engineers work standard hours with benefits and full employment rights, while Part Time Engineers work fewer hours, often with limited benefits. Both roles require relevant engineering credentials and are common in various industries. The main difference lies in hours worked and employment benefits.

Can you work full-time and do engineering?

Full-time engineers typically work standard hours, often 40 hours per week, and can perform engineering tasks such as design, analysis, and problem-solving within that schedule. Many engineering roles require specific skills, certifications, and sometimes overtime or flexible hours depending on project needs.

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

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

Infographic showing various Full Time Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,110 per year, or $31.8 per hour.

Software Engineer Intern (Summer 2027 - Chicago)

Optiver

Chicago, IL

Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

As a Software Engineer Intern, you'll work side-by-side with your mentor and teammates to build real-world applications that power a global trading firm. Your projects will be scoped based on your team's real needs - not hypothetical tasks - and your mentor will be fully invested in helping you build high-quality software that's designed to last. You'll contribute to meaningful projects solving trading problems and improving the performance, reliability, and scalability of our systems - and you'll see your code hit production in real time.

Optiver is building with cutting edge AI technology in the most competitive, data rich landscapes in the world: financial markets. That means no two days are the same, and every day brings new, exciting technical challenges to solve.

This opportunity is also available in our Austin office - learn more and apply. 

What you'll do:

Our internship is designed for fast thinkers with a critical mindset and a drive to solve tough problems. You'll experience what it's like to be a full-time engineer at a leading trading firm - working on projects that push the limits of performance, efficiency, and real-world impact. Mentored by Optiver engineers, our program gives you the opportunity to:

  • Deep dive into trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, strategies, AI-enabled tools and cutting-edge technology.
  • Collaborate closely with best-in-class engineers, traders, and business teams to develop, test, and ship your code to production.
  • Tackle complex, real-world problems to enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Push your limits and accelerate your growth in a fascinating and high-performing environment.

What you'll get:

You'll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you'll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

In addition, you'll receive:

  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
  • A highly-competitive internship compensation package
  • Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are:

  • A student pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering
  • On track to graduate between December 2027 to June 2028, with junior standing or higher
  • Passionate for writing clean code, well-architected systems, and continuous improvement
  • Proficient in coding languages such as C++, Python, or Java
  • A student with strong engineering instincts and a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals
  • Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset and curious about how tech powers the financial industry
  • A natural problem-solver with a sharp, analytical approach to tackling challenges
  • A collaborative teammate comfortable working with developers, traders and business teams

Who we are: 

Optiver is a leading technology- and research-driven trading firm. Our teams of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and traders work side by side to develop, test, and scale ideas that shape how we understand and trade global markets. Powered by a global platform built for rapid experimentation and iteration, we combine the scientific rigor of a research institution with the pace of a technology company. 

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics. Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role. 

Optiver has a global application re-apply policy for our intern and graduate roles. If you have completed an online assessment or interviewed for a technology graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re-apply to after the 8-month cool off period.