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Junior Development Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Merican

SDET Consultant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Experience mentoring or coaching junior QA/SDET team members * Strong ability to analyze requirements and create detailed test coverage * Expertise in defect tracking and documentation * Experience ...

MonoSol

Senior Process Development Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $138K/yr

People Development Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to junior engineers, scientists, and technicians. Support capability building within the team through training, knowledge ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Process Engineer

Manteno, IL

Position Summary The Junior Process Engineer supports process development, optimization, and stabilization for lithium battery cell manufacturing. Working under the guidance of senior process ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Controls Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art ... Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Process Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Position Summary The Junior Process Engineer supports process development, optimization, and ... stabilization for lithium battery cell manufacturing. Working under the guidance of senior process ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Controls Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art ... Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Equipment Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... development. Gotion is powered by a leading power battery technology company that provides ... Junior Equipment Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ...

Aptar Group

Junior Engineer, Applications

Cary, IL · On-site

Aptar is seeking a Junior Engineer, Applications based in Cary, IL. This position is onsite . This ... Facilitates, consults and evaluates the development, refinement, customization of stock Dispensing ...

Aptar Group

Junior Engineer, Applications

Cary, IL · On-site

Aptar is seeking a Junior Engineer, Applications based in Cary, IL. This position is onsite . This ... Facilitates, consults and evaluates the development, refinement, customization of stock Dispensing ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Equipment Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Junior Equipment Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ... D centers in Ohio, China, Japan, and Europe. We innovate next-generation electric vehicle and ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsDevelopment Engineer JobsJunior Development Engineer JobsJunior Development Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Junior Development Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$34.5K

$74K

$112.8K

How much do junior development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior development engineer in Chicago, IL is $73,964.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $82,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior development engineer?

Junior Development Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in designing, developing, and testing new products or software. They typically work under the guidance of senior engineers, helping to implement technical solutions, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to project documentation. This role is ideal for recent graduates or those with limited experience who are looking to build their engineering skills in a practical environment. Junior Development Engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams and gain exposure to various aspects of the engineering process.

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

To thrive as a Junior Development Engineer, you need a solid grasp of programming fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in engineering or computer science. Familiarity with development tools like Git, IDEs, and basic understanding of software development methodologies such as Agile is typically expected. Strong teamwork, communication, and a willingness to learn help set candidates apart in this collaborative role. These skills ensure you can contribute effectively to projects, adapt to new technologies, and grow within dynamic engineering environments.

What are some typical challenges a junior development engineer might face when transitioning from academic projects to a professional engineering team?

Junior Development Engineers often find that adapting to real-world engineering projects requires learning to work within established codebases, following team coding standards, and managing project timelines. Unlike academic assignments, professional environments emphasize collaboration, code reviews, and effective communication with cross-functional teams. Balancing independent problem-solving with seeking guidance and feedback is key to success and growth in this role.

What is the difference between Junior Development Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectJunior Development EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering or related field, some coding experienceBachelor's in Computer Science or related field, coding skills
Work EnvironmentEngineering teams, product development, hardware integrationSoftware companies, tech startups, IT departments
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, tech, engineering firmsIT, software firms, tech industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Junior Development Engineer and a Software Developer lies in their focus areas. Junior Development Engineers often work at the intersection of hardware and software, especially in engineering or manufacturing contexts, while Software Developers primarily focus on coding and developing software applications. Both roles typically require similar educational backgrounds and entry-level experience, but their work environments and industry applications differ.

How to get a job as a junior development engineer?

To become a junior development engineer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships, personal projects, or coding bootcamps, along with proficiency in programming languages like Java, Python, or C++, can improve job prospects. Strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with development tools such as Git and IDEs are also important for entry-level roles.

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

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Junior Development Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Junior Development Engineer job openings:

Junior Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Development Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,964 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

SDET Consultant

Merican

Chicago, IL • On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Role: Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)
Duration: 6-18 months
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Chicago, IL
Purpose
We are seeking a Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to ensure high-quality software delivery through robust testing strategies. This role involves QA/UAT execution, test planning, automation development, and mentoring team members to improve testing practices and product quality.
Key Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with product, design, and development teams to understand requirements and identify risks
  • Design, create, and execute comprehensive test plans and test scripts
  • Analyze test results, report defects, and ensure adherence to QA best practices
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance automation frameworks using Java, Groovy, or Kotlin
  • Conduct code reviews to ensure maintainable, scalable automation code
  • Define and implement QA standards and testing methodologies
  • Communicate testing progress, results, and quality metrics to stakeholders
  • Mentor and coach QA team members on test setup, data management, and best practices
  • Continuously improve test coverage, reliability, and accuracy
Must-Have Skills
  • Strong understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies
  • Experience with JUnit or TestNG frameworks
  • Hands-on experience with Kafka queues
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Proficiency with version control tools (Git/Subversion)
  • Experience with Java, XML, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML
  • API testing experience (REST/SOAP) using tools like Postman or SoapUI
  • Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
  • Strong expertise in Selenium/Appium automation frameworks
  • Proficiency in Java/Groovy-based test automation
Experience & Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience as an SDET in application development and release environments
  • Experience mentoring or coaching junior QA/SDET team members
  • Strong ability to analyze requirements and create detailed test coverage
  • Expertise in defect tracking and documentation
  • Experience with cross-browser and mobile testing tools (e.g., Sauce Labs or similar)
  • Familiarity with log analysis tools such as Splunk
  • Hands-on experience with automated testing tools and reporting frameworks
  • Experience in test data preparation and maintenance
  • Strong understanding of testing methodologies and best practices
  • Experience working with CI/CD tools like Jenkins
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About Merican

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Merican is a IT Service consulting firm, specialized in Digital adoption and Business automation. With our diverse collection of skilled and committed consultants, technology companies, businesses and digital experts, we provide our subject expertise and our unique client service approach, a best-in-class global model of delivery suited to the business demands of our clients. We ensure that we implement future-oriented solutions for our clients via investments in people, solutions, technologies, competencies and infrastructure.

Industry

It services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Columbia , MD, US

Year founded

2020

Social media

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