ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Project Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

WFMT

Development Project Manager (WFMT)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

With passion for WFMT's purpose, the Development Project Manager will bring their enthusiasm, organizational skills, and creativity to the role and collaborative team, raising revenue through WFMT ...

WTTW

Development Project Manager (WFMT)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$52K - $61K/yr

With passion for WFMT's purpose, the Development Project Manager will bring their enthusiasm, organizational skills, and creativity to the role and collaborative team, raising revenue through WFMT ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProject Development JobsProject Development Jobs in Illinois

Project Development information

See Illinois salary details

$41.7K

$91.6K

$137.6K

How much do project development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for project development in Illinois is $91,612.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,100.00 and $105,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Project Development vs Project Management?

AspectProject DevelopmentProject Management
Primary FocusPlanning and creating project concepts, designs, and initial phasesExecuting, monitoring, and closing projects to meet objectives
Required SkillsDesign, technical knowledge, planningLeadership, organization, communication
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, engineering, R&DProject teams, client interactions, coordination
CertificationsDepends on industry; often technical or design certificationsPMP, CAPM, or similar project management certifications

While project development focuses on creating and designing project concepts, project management involves overseeing the execution and delivery of those projects. Both roles are essential and often collaborate closely, but they emphasize different stages of the project lifecycle.

What does a project developer do?

A project developer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing projects from inception to completion. They analyze project requirements, secure necessary permits, coordinate with stakeholders, and ensure projects meet deadlines and budgets, often using project management tools and industry standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Project Development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Project Development often encounter challenges such as aligning diverse stakeholder interests, managing shifting project requirements, and ensuring timely resource allocation. These obstacles can be addressed by maintaining clear communication channels, implementing regular project check-ins, and utilizing effective project management tools. Building strong relationships across departments and fostering a transparent team culture also help in navigating complex project landscapes and achieving successful outcomes.

Is PM a stressful job?

Project management (PM) can be stressful due to tight deadlines, budget constraints, and coordinating multiple stakeholders. Successful PMs often develop strong organizational and communication skills to manage workload and mitigate stress levels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Project Development, and why are they important?

A successful career in Project Development requires strong project management skills, analytical abilities, and a relevant degree such as business, engineering, or construction management. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project or Asana), budgeting tools, and sometimes certifications like PMP or Prince2 are highly valued. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills enable professionals to coordinate teams and drive projects forward. These competencies are crucial for ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and to stakeholder satisfaction.

What is the highest paying project management job?

Senior executive roles such as Program Manager, Portfolio Manager, or Director of Project Management typically offer the highest salaries in project management, often exceeding six figures. These positions require extensive experience, advanced certifications like PMP or PgMP, and strong leadership skills. Industries such as technology, finance, and engineering tend to pay these roles more competitively.

What is project development work?

Project development work involves planning, designing, and organizing projects to meet specific goals within set timelines and budgets. It often includes tasks such as feasibility analysis, resource allocation, and coordinating teams, requiring skills in project management tools and methodologies like Agile or Waterfall.

What is project development?

Project development is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring a specific project from an initial idea to successful completion. This involves defining project goals, creating detailed plans, securing funding, coordinating teams, and monitoring progress throughout the project lifecycle. Effective project development ensures that objectives are met on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards. Professionals in this field often work in industries such as construction, energy, technology, and nonprofit sectors.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Development jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Project Development jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Project Development jobs in Illinois? For Project Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Project Development jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Project Development jobs in Illinois are:
Project Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Development job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,612 per year, or $44 per hour.
Sr. Energy Storage Project Development Engineer - REMOTE

Sr. Energy Storage Project Development Engineer - REMOTE

ThinkBAC Consulting

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$107K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description


Sr. Energy Storage Project Development Engineer - Grid Infrastructure
Locations: FULLY REMOTE (Anywhere in the USA)
This is an opportunity to join a trailblazing BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) company backed by top-tier private equity, leading the charge in utility-scale energy storage development, execution, and operations.With a rapidly expanding national footprint, and double digit GW portfolio including one of the largest fleets of grid-connected, standalone battery storage assets in the country.
These assets strengthen the grid by storing excess energy and delivering it during peak demand, storms, or outages. Fast and flexible, they provide critical grid services acting like modern power plants to support more reliable, resilient grid infrastructure systems.
The Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer will be to lead technical feasibility evaluations to advance domestic and international utility-scale grid infrastructure project development opportunities through full life-cycle. This includes managing the transition of projects into execution across a complex portfolio of standalone utility-scale battery storage projects. It is critical that Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer has a proven track record of negotiating commercial technical terms with Offtakers, EPCs, OEMs, or similar equipment/service providers for large utility-scale grid infrastructure, BESS, and/or renewable energy projects.
They are committed to creating more grid infrastructure solutions for the grid and are offering comprehensive compensation packages to their employees leading the drive to meet company goals. Other perks included a competitive base salary, open PTO policy, flex work hours, health benefits, the opportunity to work with a transparent Executive Leadership Team..and more.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer / Renewable Preconstruction Engineer - Leads the evaluation of energy storage technology options and site layouts to meet technical requirements and long-term performance targets
  • Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer / Renewable Preconstruction Engineer - Facilitates/manages project design to maximize value and reduce construction/operations risk
  • Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer / Renewable Preconstruction Engineer - Identifies, analyzes, and communicates technical risks and recommend mitigation solutions
  • Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer / Renewable Preconstruction Engineer - Develops capex/opex estimates and milestone schedules to support financial valuation models
  • Sr. BESS Project Development Engineer / Renewable Preconstruction Engineer - Lead offtake, procurement, engineering, and construction contracting to move projects to Notice to Proceed (NTP)

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 7+ years of early stage, preconstruction, or project development engineering experience supporting grid infrastructure, BESS, energy storage, or utility-scale renewable energy electric transmission systems
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline
  • Expertise in negotiating commercial technical terms in EPC, offtake, OEM, and similar commercial project based procurement agreements
  • AutoCAD experience - design & review of engineering drawings/specs
  • Expertise in the development of cost estimates and milestones - intermediate MS Excel
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across technical/non-technical teams
  • Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize under ambiguity
  • Clear, concise writing and presentation skills; proactive and resourceful mindset
  • Willingness to travel domestically ~20-25%
  • An understanding of national energy power markets - PJM, ERCOT, SPP, MISO, NYISO, ISO-NE, and WECC is beneficial
  • Candidates may have held titles such as: Sr. BESS Early Stage Development Engineer, Lead BESS Project Engineer, Sr. Energy Storage Preconstruction Engineer, Senior BESS Pre-Construction Engineer, Sr. BESS Procurement Engineer, Sr. Applications Engineer, Lead Early-Stage Renewables Project Engineer or similar

*The deadline for applications is 75 days from the original posting date

Apply