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New Grad Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Software Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$63K - $97K/yr

... DevOps, component-level and system-level automated testing. We use Agile methodologies to organize ... Travel Requirements None Relocation Provided None Position Type New Grad Referral Payment Plan Yes ...

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All JobsNew Grad Developer JobsNew Grad Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

New Grad Developer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$17

$54

$84

How much do new grad developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for new grad developer in Chicago, IL is $54.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.59 and $66.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a new grad developer?

New Grad Developers are recent graduates who have completed a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field and are beginning their careers in software development. They typically have foundational knowledge of programming languages, algorithms, and development tools, but may have limited professional experience. New Grad Developers are usually hired for entry-level positions where they can further develop their skills, receive mentorship, and gain practical experience working on real-world software projects.

What types of projects does a new grad developer typically work on during their first year, and how are assignments structured to support learning and growth?

New Grad Developers often start by contributing to well-defined features or bug fixes within existing projects, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the codebase and development processes. Assignments are generally structured with mentorship and regular check-ins, providing guidance while encouraging independence. Over time, responsibilities expand to include more complex tasks and collaboration across teams, offering exposure to different technologies and workflows. This approach helps new grads build confidence, technical skills, and strong professional relationships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new grad developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a New Grad Developer, you need a strong grasp of programming fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and exposure to modern programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript is typical. Curiosity, adaptability, and teamwork are crucial soft skills that help you learn quickly and collaborate effectively. These skills are vital for delivering quality code, integrating smoothly into development teams, and growing rapidly in a dynamic tech environment.

What is the difference between New Grad Developer vs Junior Software Engineer?

AspectNew Grad DeveloperJunior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, internship experienceBachelor's degree, some internship or project experience
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused, collaborative teamsSimilar entry-level, often in larger teams, with more defined responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech startups, large tech firms, and software companiesWidely used in tech industry, especially in software development roles
Comparison Search IntentOften searched by recent graduates seeking their first roleOften searched by those transitioning from internships or junior roles

Both roles are entry-level software positions requiring similar educational backgrounds. The main difference lies in terminology; 'New Grad Developer' emphasizes recent graduation status, while 'Junior Software Engineer' is a more traditional industry term. Employers may use these titles interchangeably, but the roles typically involve similar responsibilities and work environments.

New Grad Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various New Grad Developer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 12% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,218 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

New Grad Full-Time Quantitative Trader

Chicago, IL • On-site

WallStreetQuants
See more jobs at WallStreetQuantsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

About the Role

A proprietary trading firm based in Chicago is seeking a highly motivated New Grad Quantitative Trader to join the team full-time. In this role, you will apply analytical thinking, market intuition, and quantitative problem-solving to identify trading opportunities, manage risk, and contribute to the development of data-driven strategies across global markets.

This is an ideal opportunity for recent graduates who are passionate about financial markets, probability, game theory, technology, and fast-paced decision-making. You will work closely with experienced traders, quantitative researchers, and engineers to learn how modern trading strategies are designed, tested, and executed.

Requirements

Responsibilities
  • Monitor and analyze real-time market data to identify trading opportunities.
  • Support the development, testing, and refinement of quantitative trading strategies.
  • Make fast, data-informed trading decisions while managing risk.
  • Collaborate with traders, researchers, and engineers to improve trading models, tools, and execution systems.
  • Conduct statistical analysis on historical and live market data.
  • Evaluate market microstructure, liquidity, volatility, and other drivers of price movement.
  • Participate in trading simulations, training programs, and strategy review sessions.
  • Communicate trade ideas, risks, and performance insights clearly to the team.
  • Continuously improve decision-making through feedback, research, and post-trade analysis.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Economics, Finance, or a related quantitative field.
  • Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Interest in financial markets, trading, probability, strategy games, or competitive problem-solving.
  • Ability to make decisions quickly and remain calm under pressure.
  • Strong attention to detail and intellectual curiosity.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
  • Programming experience in Python or a similar language is preferred.
  • Prior internship, research, trading competition, or personal project experience involving data analysis, markets, or quantitative modeling is a plus but not required.
Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, competitive, numerically strong, and comfortable making decisions with incomplete information. You enjoy solving complex problems, thinking strategically, learning from feedback, and working in a fast-moving environment where performance and precision matter.

Benefits

What We Offer
  • Comprehensive training in trading, market structure, risk management, and quantitative strategy development.
  • Mentorship from experienced traders, researchers, and technologists.
  • Exposure to live markets and real-time trading decision-making.
  • A collaborative, high-performance environment that values curiosity, discipline, and continuous learning.
  • Opportunities for rapid growth based on performance, ownership, and impact.
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Apply