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New Graduate Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Quantiq

Hardware Developer- New Graduate

Chicago, IL · On-site

As a Hardware Developer-New Graduate, you will work in our Chicago office, both independently and collaboratively, to fuel the continuous advancement of our production trading environment. Your scope ...

Quantiq

Hardware Developer- New Graduate

Chicago, IL · On-site

As a Hardware Developer-New Graduate, you will work in our Chicago office, both independently and collaboratively, to fuel the continuous advancement of our production trading environment. Your scope ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsNew Graduate Engineer JobsNew Graduate Engineer Jobs in Illinois

New Graduate Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$29.6K

$66.5K

$111.9K

How much do new graduate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for new graduate engineer in Illinois is $66,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,400.00 and $72,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a new graduate engineer?

A New Graduate Engineer is someone who has recently completed an engineering degree and is beginning their professional career in the engineering field. These individuals typically have little to no full-time work experience in engineering, but they possess the foundational knowledge and skills acquired through their academic studies. New Graduate Engineers often start in entry-level positions, where they receive training, mentorship, and opportunities to work on projects to further develop their technical and professional abilities. Their roles may vary depending on the engineering discipline and employer, but they generally focus on learning the practical aspects of their chosen field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new graduate engineer?

To thrive as a New Graduate Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree in engineering. Familiarity with industry-specific software (such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks) and basic project management tools is often expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help new engineers adapt quickly and contribute effectively. These skills and qualities are crucial for successfully transitioning from academic settings to solving real-world engineering challenges and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges new graduate engineers face when transitioning from academia to their first engineering job?

New graduate engineers often find the transition from academia to the workplace challenging due to differences in expectations, pace, and collaboration. Unlike academic projects, real-world engineering roles require balancing multiple tasks, meeting tight deadlines, and working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Communication and adaptability are key, as you'll frequently need to explain technical concepts to non-engineers and quickly adjust to new tools or processes. Seeking feedback, proactively asking questions, and embracing a learning mindset can help ease the adjustment and set you up for long-term success.

What is the difference between New Graduate Engineer vs Junior Engineer?

AspectNew Graduate EngineerJunior Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically a recent engineering degree; may include internshipsSame as New Graduate Engineer; often entry-level
Work EnvironmentTraining-focused, supervised, entry-level projectsSupervised, supporting ongoing projects, gaining experience
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in engineering firms, construction, manufacturingUsed interchangeably in many industries for entry-level roles

The main difference is that a New Graduate Engineer is often a recent graduate just starting their career, focusing on training and learning. A Junior Engineer may have some work experience but remains in an entry-level position, supporting projects while developing skills. Both roles are similar in credentials and work environment, but 'New Graduate Engineer' emphasizes recent graduation, while 'Junior Engineer' indicates some practical experience.

What are popular job titles related to New Graduate Engineer jobs in Illinois?

For New Graduate Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

New Graduate Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various New Graduate Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,491 per year, or $32 per hour.

Graduate Engineer - Structural

Chicago, IL

Walter P Moore
Civil Engineering Construction • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Walter P Mooreexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Responsibilities

Walter P Moore seeks well prepared graduates of top engineering schools to start and build their careers with our firm.

As a graduate engineer, you will participate on project design teams for architectural projects of all types, including commercial, sports, healthcare, education, and public assembly buildings.  In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in our in-house staff development program.

A sound technical background and enthusiasm for the challenges of designing great structures, great client service and a proactive spirit are required. Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a plus.

Qualifications
  • Master's in Civil Engineering with emphasis in Structural
  • EIT
  • Candidates must be proactive, have strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and work well with a team

Pay Transparency Disclosure Statement:

This position has an annual salary range as stated below and is, in good faith, an estimate. The actual offered salary will be dependent on the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, geographic location, industry experience and internal equity. Walter P Moore reserves the right to offer more or less than the posted range based on the criteria previously stated and will do so in a manner that does not discriminate against a candidate's protected status per local, state and federal law.

$89K - $106K in San Francisco

$85K - $101K In New York

$82K - $97K in LA & Washington DC

$78K - $92K in San Diego & Chicago

$74K - $88K in Denver

Walter P Moore is an equal employment opportunity employer, and provides equal employment opportunities (including offering competitive compensation and benefit packages) to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws and encourage all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Overview

Walter P Moore is an international company of engineers, architects, innovators, and creative people who solve some of the world's most complex structural and infrastructure challenges. Providing structural, diagnostics, civil, traffic, parking, transportation, enclosure, WPM technology and construction engineering services, we design solutions that are cost- and resource-efficient, forward-thinking, and help support and shape communities worldwide. Founded in 1931 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, our 1000+ professionals work across 28 U.S. offices and 8 international locations.

Employment Type: OTHER

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