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Hardware Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Hardware Machine Learning Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

Work hands-on with hardware engineers to implement, verify, and deploy ML inference solutions from proof-of-concept through production * Track and evaluate emerging research in neural architecture ...

Work hands-on with hardware engineers to implement, verify, and deploy ML inference solutions from proof-of-concept through production * Track and evaluate emerging research in neural architecture ...

Work hands-on with hardware engineers to implement, verify, and deploy ML inference solutions from proof-of-concept through production * Track and evaluate emerging research in neural architecture ...

An RF hardware engineer responsible for owning driving improvements in the analog/RF design portions of our radio products. Core responsibilities include: Drafting and reviewing RF specifications ...

RF Hardware Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

What You'll Do An RF hardware engineer responsible for owning driving improvements in the analog/RF design portions of our radio products. Core responsibilities include: * Drafting and reviewing RF ...

RF Hardware Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

An RF hardware engineer responsible for owning driving improvements in the analog/RF design portions of our radio products. Core responsibilities include: • Drafting and reviewing RF specifications ...

Our 10-week internship is your chance to experience life as a Hardware Engineer at IMC. You'll have the support you need to succeed: educational training and a mentor who will oversee your work and ...

Our 10-week internship is your chance to experience life as a Hardware Engineer at IMC. You'll have the support you need to succeed: educational training and a mentor who will oversee your work and ...

Our 10-week internship is your chance to experience life as a Hardware Engineer at IMC. You'll have the support you need to succeed: educational training and a mentor who will oversee your work and ...

IL · On-site

$75 - $110/hr

Unisys Corporation is seeking an experienced On-Site Service Engineer (OSE) to provide hands-on support for enterprise data center servers and hardware environments, including next-generation AI ...

Showing results 21-40

Hardware Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$49.4K

$141.7K

$190.4K

How much do hardware engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for hardware engineer in Illinois is $141,701.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,700.00 and $158,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hardware engineer?

Hardware engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and oversee the manufacturing of computer hardware, such as circuit boards, processors, memory devices, networks, and routers. They work closely with software engineers to ensure that hardware and software function together efficiently. Hardware engineers are involved in researching new technologies, improving existing hardware, and troubleshooting issues to enhance system performance. Their work is crucial in industries like computing, telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics.

What does a hardware engineer do?

A hardware engineer, or computer hardware engineer, specializes in all aspects of computer hardware, including testing, repairing, building, and maintaining its efficiency. As a hardware engineer, your responsibilities include developing and installing new hardware systems for businesses, providing tech support to users with hardware issues, along with designing and building new products for manufacturers. You may specialize in areas such as internal components, servers, electrical engineering, cellular and tablet devices, or traditional computers and networks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hardware engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hardware Engineer, a strong background in electrical engineering, circuit design, and computer architecture is essential, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with CAD software, PCB layout tools, and hardware description languages, as well as certifications like Certified Hardware Design Engineer (CHDE), are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding hardware engineers apart. These skills and qualities are vital for designing reliable, high-performance hardware products that meet rigorous industry standards.

What are some typical challenges hardware engineers face when working on cross-functional teams?

Hardware Engineers often collaborate closely with software developers, product managers, and manufacturing teams. One common challenge is aligning hardware specifications with software requirements, which may change throughout the development cycle. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as Hardware Engineers must balance technical constraints, cost considerations, and evolving project goals. Staying proactive in cross-team meetings and clarifying expectations early on can help reduce misunderstandings and ensure smoother project delivery.

What is the difference between Hardware Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectHardware EngineerElectrical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, or Computer EngineeringBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing hardware components, working in labs or officesDesigning electrical systems, working in labs, manufacturing, or field
Industry UsageElectronics, computer hardware, telecommunicationsPower systems, electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing

Hardware Engineers focus on designing and developing physical electronic components and systems, while Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems and power distribution. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often collaborate in technology industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Hardware Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What job categories do people searching Hardware Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Hardware Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Hardware Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Hardware Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Hardware 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 $141,701 per year, or $68.1 per hour.

Hardware Machine Learning Engineer

IMC

Chicago, IL • On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

We are deploying machine learning directly onto custom hardware - and we want you to help drive it from the ground up. This is an initiative where you'll have the rare opportunity to architect solutions from scratch, influence technical research direction, and see your work drive real impact in one of the most demanding computing environments in the world.

We build the hardware, the software, and the infrastructure, so when you hit a bottleneck, you can fix it - there's no vendor to wait on and no abstraction layer you're not allowed to touch. If you've ever wanted to push the boundaries of what's computationally possible, this role is for you. We're looking for researchers and experienced engineers from any background. Trading experience is a bonus, not a prerequisite.

Your Core Responsibilities

  • Architect and co-design ML models with traders, quant researchers, and software engineers, treating hardware constraints (latency budgets, resource limits, numerical precision) as first-class design inputs
  • Shape our custom hardware roadmap by translating ML model requirements into concrete architectural decisions
  • Work hands-on with hardware engineers to implement, verify, and deploy ML inference solutions from proof-of-concept through production
  • Track and evaluate emerging research in neural architecture search, machine learning systems and quantization methods, and determine what translates to measurable improvements in our systems

Your Skills and Experience

  • Solid understanding of hardware constraints and design trade-offs (e.g., pipelining, resource utilization, fixed-point arithmetic) that shape how ML models can be efficiently mapped onto FPGAs or custom ASICs
  • Experience with hardware fundamentals, whether through VHDL/SystemVerilog development, HLS tools, or ML-to-hardware frameworks like hls4ml, FINN, or Vitis AI
  • Understanding of machine learning fundamentals - neural network architectures, inference optimization, quantization techniques, ML frameworks such as PyTorch/TensorFlow
  • Proficiency in Python, C++, or similar languages for tooling, testing, and simulation
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across disciplines with both technical and non-technical teams

Nice to Have

  • Exposure to ML compiler infrastructure such as MLIR, TVM, XLA, or similar tools for lowering and optimizing models for hardware targets
  • Background in latency-sensitive or resource-constrained systems including high-frequency trading, particle physics data acquisition, real-time signal processing, or similar domains
  • Familiarity with functional verification methodologies (for example SystemVerilog, UVM, Cocotb)
  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in EE, CS, Physics, or related field, or equivalent depth through industry or research experience