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Recent Grad Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Trilon

Entry Level Engineer

Aurora, 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

Aurora, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

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

Cadence

Application Engineer

Cary, IL

$74K - $137K/yr

The opportunity to learn from the technical experts, sales and application engineers who provide ... Opportunity to network and participate in fun activities and recent college grad community at ...

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Application Engineer

Cary, IL · On-site

$74K - $137K/yr

The opportunity to learn from the technical experts, sales and application engineers who provide ... Opportunity to network and participate in fun activities and recent college grad community at ...

All JobsRecent Grad Engineer JobsRecent Grad Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Recent Grad Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11.3K

$74.8K

$129.3K

How much do recent grad engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for recent grad engineer in Chicago, IL is $74,779.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,400.00 and $85,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Chicago, IL? For Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Recent Grad Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Recent Grad Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recent Grad Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,779 per year, or $36 per hour.

Entry Level Engineer

Trilon

Aurora, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 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.
 
Grow Your Career with Blueprint

This role includes a guaranteed seat in Blueprint, our new early career leadership program for engineers looking to grow beyond the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on curriculum covering professional development, business acumen, and project delivery - including case studies, simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and concludes with an in-person capstone event where participants present their work and outline goals for the year ahead.

Your Future Starts With A Plan.
 
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.

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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