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Recent Grad Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Trilon

Entry Level Engineer

Rockford, IL

We're seeking driven Civil Engineering students and recent graduates who are enthusiastic about ... If you are a recent grad or you have up to three years' experience, we're interested. You should ...

Trilon Group

Entry Level Engineer

Rockford, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Entry Level Engineer Department: Civil/Municipal Employment Type: Full Time Location: Rockford, IL ... If you are a recent grad or you have up to three years' experience, we're interested. You should ...

Fehr Graham

Entry Level Engineer

Rockford, IL

Description We're seeking driven Civil Engineering students and recent graduates who are ... If you are a recent grad or you have up to three years' experience, we're interested. You should ...

Black Box

Sr. Project Manager

Dekalb, IL · On-site

... recent grad or a seasoned industry professional, you can experience meaningful career growth at ... Deep understanding of industry specific estimating and engineering best practices. * Ability to ...

Black Box

Sr. Project Manager - Data Center

Dekalb, IL · On-site

... recent grad or a seasoned industry professional, you can experience meaningful career growth at ... Deep understanding of industry specific estimating and engineering best practices. * Ability to ...

Black Box Corporation

Sr. Project Manager

Dekalb, IL · On-site

... recent grad or a seasoned industry professional, you can experience meaningful career growth at ... Deep understanding of industry specific estimating and engineering best practices. * Ability to ...

Rosendin

Procurement Team Lead

Worth, IL

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career ... The Procurement Team Lead will manage a work group responsible for the procurement of engineered ...

All JobsRecent Grad Engineer JobsRecent Grad Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Recent Grad Engineer information

Which companies hire recent graduates?

Many companies across industries hire recent graduate engineers, including large technology firms, manufacturing companies, and consulting firms. These employers often seek candidates with internships, relevant coursework, and technical skills in areas like CAD, programming, or systems design. Entry-level engineering roles are commonly available in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, software, and energy.

Are engineering graduates struggling to find jobs?

Recent graduate engineers often face a competitive job market, especially during economic downturns or industry shifts. Success depends on skills such as proficiency in CAD, programming, or certifications, as well as networking and internship experience. While some graduates encounter challenges, many find opportunities in sectors like technology, manufacturing, and energy with targeted efforts.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, certain software engineering roles in high-paying industries, or engineering executives can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership or executive responsibilities.

How to get a job as a new grad engineer?

To secure a job as a new grad engineer, candidates should build a strong resume highlighting relevant coursework, projects, and internships, and develop technical skills in areas such as CAD, programming, or circuit design. Networking through career fairs, university connections, and online platforms like LinkedIn can also improve job prospects. Applying to entry-level positions and preparing for technical interviews are essential steps in the process.

What is the difference between Recent Grad Engineer vs Entry-Level Engineer?

AspectRecent Grad EngineerEntry-Level Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field; internship or co-op experience often preferredBachelor's degree in engineering; minimal work experience required
Work EnvironmentTypically in engineering firms, manufacturing plants, or construction sitesSimilar environments, often in design, testing, or project support roles
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used for recent graduates starting their engineering careersUsed interchangeably with 'Recent Grad Engineer' in many companies

Recent Grad Engineer and Entry-Level Engineer are often used interchangeably to describe individuals starting their engineering careers with minimal professional experience. Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree and involve similar work environments. The main difference is that 'Recent Grad Engineer' emphasizes recent graduation, while 'Entry-Level Engineer' highlights the level of experience. Employers may use these titles based on their hiring preferences, but both serve as starting points for engineering professionals.

What are some common challenges recent grad engineers face when transitioning from academia to industry?

Recent grad engineers often find the shift from academic projects to real-world engineering work challenging due to differences in project scope, pace, and collaboration. In industry, you’ll likely work in cross-functional teams, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and need to communicate your ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical colleagues. Additionally, adapting to industry-standard tools, workflows, and expectations regarding deadlines and deliverables can require adjustment. Seeking mentorship and proactively asking questions can help ease this transition and accelerate your professional growth.

What does a Recent Grad Engineer do?

A Recent Grad Engineer is an entry-level engineer who has recently completed their degree and is starting their professional career. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced engineers and assist with designing, testing, and implementing engineering projects. Their responsibilities may include data analysis, drafting reports, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and learning industry-specific tools and protocols. The role provides valuable hands-on experience and helps build the foundational skills necessary for a successful engineering career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Recent Grad Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recent Grad Engineer, you need a solid grounding in engineering fundamentals, problem-solving, and analytical thinking, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks, and basic project management tools, is highly beneficial. Strong communication, teamwork, and a willingness to learn help recent graduates stand out as they adapt to professional environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively contributing to projects, learning from experienced colleagues, and advancing within the engineering field.
What are popular job titles related to Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Illinois? For Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Recent Grad Engineer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Recent Grad Engineer job openings:
Recent Grad Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recent Grad Engineer job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.
Entry Level Engineer

Entry Level Engineer

Trilon

Rockford, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

We're seeking driven Civil Engineering students and recent graduates who are enthusiastic about learning and contributing to a diverse range of projects. Join our team at any of our Fehr Graham locations across Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin  and grow your career in a supportive, dynamic environment. We value talented, dependable individuals who are passionate about delivering personalized service and building lasting relationships with our clients.

What you'll do
You will provide civil, municipal, land development and/or environmental engineering services using prescribed methods. You'll perform specific and limited portions of broader assignments of an experienced engineer. You will apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjust and correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow standard office procedures through a series of related detailed steps or processes. This position works directly with clients and firm project managers to deliver projects with the highest quality possible - on time and on budget.
 
You will work in a team environment and learn from fellow staff engineers, project engineers, environmental scientists and project managers. You'll draft reports, assist with specifications and make preliminary selection of equipment. You will work with clients to obtain data or share information. 
 
We promote a team environment, so you'll work with fellow engineers, environmental scientists and many more people. And you'll develop leadership skills that build autonomy.
  
What's in it for you?
We offer an exciting and engaging work environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. At Fehr Graham, we don't just manage projects - we bring them to life! This position will put you in the driver's seat to steer our transportation projects to success.  If you have a passion for transforming concepts into tangible achievements and hope to accelerate your career, we want you on our team.
Where you'll work
At Fehr Graham, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized attention and building trust with our clients. We believe in the power of skilled professionals who provide exceptional service. We also believe in work-life balance, and that includes injecting a healthy dose of fun into everything we do. It's even part of our Core Values! We celebrate milestones and enjoy friendly team-building activities and office outings after work. A happy and engaged work team is a successful one. Each of our offices brings an environment filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. We encourage our teams to connect on multiple levels and support each other's personal and professional growth.

What it takes
You'll need a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. If you are a recent grad or you have up to three years' experience, we're interested. You should speak and write well. And you should have strong analytical and organizational skills. You must be a team player. 
What you'll get
You'll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people-first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:
  • Medical/dental/vision
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401K
  • Profit sharing plan
  • Paid time off
  • An awesome work environment.  
Learn more about Fehr Graham's people, culture and projects on our website. 
Fehr Graham provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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