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Ocean Engineering Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Environmental Engineer! We're a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role - it always comes back to this: we're a farmer ...

You'll work closely with experienced engineers, receive training, and contribute to products used in defense, offshore energy, and oceanographic research. Many of our past interns have gone on to ...

Engineering Intern / Co-op

Chicago, IL · On-site

$35 - $55/hr

You'll work closely with experienced engineers, receive training, and contribute to products used in defense, offshore energy, and oceanographic research. Many of our past interns have gone on to ...

Engineering Intern / Co-op

Chicago, IL · On-site

$35 - $55/hr

You'll work closely with experienced engineers, receive training, and contribute to products used in defense, offshore energy, and oceanographic research. Many of our past interns have gone on to ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

Their mission is to define and apply the physical environment, from the bottom of the ocean to the ... science, engineering, or mathematics. Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general ...

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Showing results 1-20

Ocean Engineering information

See Illinois salary details

$45.1K

$142.3K

$168.6K

How much do ocean engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for ocean engineering in Illinois is $142,319.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,900.00 and $167,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is ocean engineering?

Ocean engineering is a branch of engineering focused on the design, development, and maintenance of structures and systems that operate in the ocean environment. This field combines elements of mechanical, civil, electrical, and environmental engineering to address challenges such as offshore energy production, underwater robotics, coastal protection, and marine transportation. Ocean engineers work on projects like oil platforms, underwater vehicles, renewable energy installations, and coastal infrastructure, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. The work often involves multidisciplinary collaboration and adapting to the unique and harsh conditions of marine environments.

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

To thrive as an Ocean Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, civil, or marine engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in ocean engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, ocean modeling tools, and industry certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you excel in multidisciplinary, often challenging marine environments. These competencies are crucial for designing safe, innovative solutions to complex problems in ocean structures, vessels, and coastal systems.

What are some typical challenges ocean engineers face when working on offshore projects?

Ocean engineers often encounter challenges such as harsh weather conditions, unpredictable sea states, and complex logistical issues when working offshore. Ensuring the safety and durability of structures like oil rigs, underwater pipelines, or renewable energy platforms in these environments requires careful planning, advanced engineering techniques, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, ocean engineers must consider environmental regulations and the impact of their projects on marine ecosystems. These challenges make strong problem-solving skills and adaptability essential for success in this field.

What is the difference between Ocean Engineering vs Marine Engineering?

AspectOcean EngineeringMarine Engineering
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Ocean Engineering or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Marine Engineering or Naval Architecture
Work EnvironmentOffshore platforms, research vessels, coastal facilitiesShip design, propulsion systems, shipyard environments
Industry UsageResearch, offshore oil & gas, renewable energyShipbuilding, maritime transportation, naval defense

Ocean Engineering and Marine Engineering share overlapping skills and credentials, but differ mainly in focus. Ocean Engineering emphasizes offshore structures, ocean systems, and research, while Marine Engineering concentrates on ship design, propulsion, and maritime operations. Both fields are vital in maritime industries, but their specific applications and work environments distinguish them.

Are ocean engineers in demand?

Ocean engineers are in demand due to ongoing needs in offshore energy, marine infrastructure, and environmental monitoring. Employment opportunities are available in research institutions, government agencies, and private companies, often requiring skills in CAD, project management, and knowledge of marine environments.

What does an ocean engineer do?

An ocean engineer designs, develops, and maintains equipment and systems used in marine environments, such as ships, offshore platforms, and underwater vehicles. They often work with hydrodynamics, materials, and environmental considerations, using tools like CAD software and adhering to safety and environmental standards.

What kind of jobs are in ocean engineering?

Ocean engineering offers jobs such as offshore structural engineer, marine systems designer, subsea engineer, and coastal engineer. These roles involve designing, constructing, and maintaining maritime infrastructure, often requiring knowledge of fluid dynamics, materials science, and specialized tools like CAD software. Many positions are based in research facilities, shipyards, or offshore platforms and may require certifications in safety and engineering standards.

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Ocean Engineering jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Ocean Engineering job openings:

Infographic showing various Ocean Engineering job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,319 per year, or $68.4 per hour.

Embedded Software Engineer

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Itasca, IL

$128K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Title: Embedded Firmware Engineer
Location: Seattle, WA
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: 150-220k
Must have Skill Set:

  • Must have Professional C programming experience (Required)
  • Must have Embedded firmware development experience
  • Must have Java experience (used for decoding compressed data and supporting software tools)
  • Experience debugging at the hardware/software interface
  • Ability to read hardware schematics and component datasheets
  • Must have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Highly Preferred
  • Bare-metal embedded development experience
  • ARM microcontroller experience
  • GNU toolchains
  • Serial communication protocols (UART, SPI, I²C)
  • Embedded software testing and verification

Overview:

Join a small, highly collaborative engineering team developing fully autonomous robotic vehicles that operate in the world's oceans to support environmental and climate research. This is a unique opportunity to develop firmware for sophisticated autonomous systems where software reliability, efficiency, and precision are critical.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy working close to the hardware and solving challenging low-level programming problems rather than developing desktop or web applications.

Job Duties:

  • Design, develop, and maintain embedded firmware in C
  • Develop software for ARM-based embedded controllers
  • Implement efficient data compression algorithms used by autonomous ocean robotics
  • Support Java-based software used to decode and process collected data
  • Integrate firmware with sensors, electronics, and embedded hardware
  • Debug complex hardware/software interactions
  • Develop unit tests and verification procedures
  • Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers throughout the product lifecycle
Relocation Assistance Available
Please Note: Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates relocating within the U.S. This position is not eligible for candidates requiring current or future visa sponsorship or visa transfers.


Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.