ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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

Clayco

Project Engineer - New College Grad

Chicago, IL

$65K - $75K/yr

Mentor and develop Interns and new incoming project management staff. Requirements * Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related. * Project Engineer internship ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 Jun 23, 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 types of projects do New Grad Developers 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 New Grad Developers?

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 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 36% Full Time, 49% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 9% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,218 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

2026 New Grad | Software Engineer, Full-Stack (Chicago)

Loop

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted just now

Job description

Job Summary:
Loop is the data platform for the global supply chain, utilizing AI to automate payments and audits for Fortune 100 companies. They are seeking a New Grad Software Engineer to build critical infrastructure and deliver impactful projects in production AI systems, starting with hands-on experience from day one.
Responsibilities:
• Ship critical infrastructure. Manage real-world logistics and financial data for the largest enterprise in the world..
• Own the why. Build deep context through customer calls, and understand the Loop’s value to our customers. You push back on requirements if you see a better, faster way to solve the customer’s problem.
• Full-stack proficiency. Work across system boundaries, from frontend UX to LLM agents, database schema and event infrastructures.
• Leverage AI tools to handle the 90% boilerplate, so you can focus the highest leverage 10%: quality, architecture, product taste.
• Raise the velocity bar. You will constantly optimize our dev loops, refactor legacy patterns, automate your own workflows and fix broken processes.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Graduating with a BS or higher in STEM fields; available to start full-time in 2026.
• Working in person in the SF or Chicago office 4 days a week.
• Proficiency with modern techstack. You can deliver a modern web app in hours not in days.
• Unblocking yourself. You thrive in ambiguity. Despite the chaos, you deliver high quality products and business impact.
• AI Literate. You have strong intuition on how LLM works: where they excel and where they generate slop. You live and breathe AI native tools (Cursor, Codex, Claude Code etc.)
Company:
Loop provides a platform that manages logistics and supply chain data through automation and analytics tools. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 201-500 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.

Apply