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

Recent Graduate Position Information and Requirements: * This is a Recent Graduate Full-Time position. * Must have graduated within the past 12 months, or will be graduating by Spring 2027, with a ...

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Graduate Developer Program Chicago 2027 Maven Securities is a leading proprietary trading firm that ... In fact, a recent graduate successfully rewrote a decade-old C# trading application in C++ to ...

Graduate Developer Program Chicago 2027 Maven Securities is a leading proprietary trading firm that ... In fact, a recent graduate successfully rewrote a decade-old C# trading application in C++ to ...

Recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Power Engineering. * Foundational Knowledge: Solid understanding of basic electrical circuits, mechanical ...

As an Engineer at AssetPerformance Partners, you will work across multiple industries, plants and ... Recent graduate with aBachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or ...

Mission RINA is a leading engineering and consulting firm specializing in Energy, infrastructure ... Recent graduate or 0-2 years of experience * Basic understanding of electrical power systems and ...

Mission RINA is a leading engineering and consulting firm specializing in Energy, infrastructure ... Recent graduate or 0-2 years of experience * Basic understanding of electrical power systems and ...

This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment and production processes in a fast-paced ...

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Showing results 1-20

Recent Graduate Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.4K

$70.7K

$119K

How much do recent graduate engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for recent graduate engineer in Chicago, IL is $70,685.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,600.00 and $76,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recent graduate engineer?

Recent graduate engineers are individuals who have recently completed an engineering degree and are beginning their professional careers. They typically have foundational knowledge in their specific engineering discipline, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. These engineers often start in entry-level positions where they gain practical experience, develop technical skills, and learn workplace protocols. Many employers offer training and mentorship programs to help recent graduates transition smoothly into the workforce.

What are some common challenges recent graduate engineers face during their first year on the job?

Recent graduate engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to real-world project timelines, transitioning from academic theory to practical application, and understanding workplace communication protocols. Navigating team dynamics and learning to balance multiple tasks or projects simultaneously can also be new experiences. Seeking mentorship and actively asking questions can help ease the transition and accelerate professional growth in the early stages of an engineering career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recent graduate engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recent Graduate Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, and at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks, as well as experience with project management tools, is typically expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability will help you excel in collaborative, fast-paced environments. These skills are crucial for effectively contributing to projects, learning quickly on the job, and successfully transitioning from academia to professional engineering practice.

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

AspectRecent Graduate EngineerEntry-Level Engineer
QualificationsRecent degree, limited work experienceSame as recent graduate, possibly some internships
Work EnvironmentTraining-focused, supervised rolesOperational roles with increasing responsibilities
Industry UsageCommonly used for new graduates entering engineering rolesBroader term for early-career engineers

Recent Graduate Engineer typically refers to individuals who have recently completed their engineering degree and are starting their professional careers, often in training or supervised roles. Entry-Level Engineer is a broader term that includes recent graduates and those with minimal work experience beginning their engineering jobs. Both roles are aimed at early-career professionals, but 'Recent Graduate Engineer' emphasizes the candidate's recent academic completion, while 'Entry-Level Engineer' highlights the job level regardless of graduation timing.

Are recent graduate engineers struggling to find jobs?

Recent graduate engineers often face competitive job markets, especially in fields requiring specialized skills or certifications. Employment prospects can vary based on industry demand, geographic location, and the current economic climate, but gaining practical experience through internships and developing technical skills can improve job prospects.

How to get a job as a recent graduate engineer?

To secure a job as a recent graduate engineer, candidates should build a strong resume highlighting relevant coursework, internships, and technical skills such as CAD or programming. Networking through career fairs, professional organizations, and online platforms like LinkedIn can also improve job prospects. Additionally, obtaining relevant certifications or licenses may enhance employability in certain engineering fields.

What jobs do recent graduate engineers go into?

Recent graduate engineers typically pursue entry-level roles such as design engineer, project engineer, manufacturing engineer, or quality engineer. These positions often require knowledge of engineering principles, technical skills, and sometimes certifications like EIT or FE, and may involve working in industries such as construction, manufacturing, or technology.

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Recent Graduate Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Recent Graduate Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Recent Graduate Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $70,685 per year, or $34 per hour.

Software Engineer - Recent Graduate

PayPal

Chicago, IL • On-site

$124K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


PayPal rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 21 rated payment service providers


Job description

The Company

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy.

We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.

We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade.

Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do - and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Job Summary:

This job implements tasks within the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), follows internal conventions and procedures, makes technical decisions, collaborates with peers and project leads, and contributes to code and design reviews.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Implements tasks within the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), receiving structure and oversight from more experienced staff
  • Follows well-established internal conventions and standard procedures
  • Understands internal standards & processes an applies them to make technical decisions
  • Collaborates with peers, manager, and project lead to gain understanding of tasks and review solutions
  • May contribute to code & design reviews

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 1+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Qualifications:

Recent Graduate Position Information and Requirements:

  • This is a Recent Graduate Full-Time position.
  • Must have graduated within the past 12 months, or will be graduating by Spring 2027, with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field from an accredited college or university.

The base pay for this role will depend on where you work and the relevant experience and expertise you bring. The expected range of pay for this role by location is:

Primary Location | Pay Range:

San Jose, California | ($124,700 - $137,000Annually)

Additional Location(s) | Pay Range:

Austin, Texas | ($113,400 - $124,500Annually)

Chicago, Illinois | ($113,400 - $124,500Annually)

Additionalcompensation for this role may include an annual performance bonus, equity, or other incentive compensation, as applicable.

Visa Sponsorship through PayPal is not available for this position now or any time in the future.

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

0

PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. When making an application directly, we will never ask you to share passwords, one-time passcodes (OTP), or verification codes. Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. All communication regarding your application will come from official PayPal email domains. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately. To learn more about how to identify and avoid recruitment fraud please visit https://careers.pypl.com/contact-us.

For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.

Our Benefits:

At PayPal, we're committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can't do this without our most important asset-you. That's why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing-physical, emotional, and financial-delivering meaningful value where it matters most.We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

Who We Are:

Click Here to learn more about our culture and community.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us atpaypalglobaltalentacquisition@paypal.com.

Belonging at PayPal:

Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.

Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please Join our Talent Community.

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don't hesitate to apply.


What PayPal employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About PayPal

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PayPal has remained at the forefront of the digital payment revolution for more than 20 years. By leveraging technology to make financial services and commerce more convenient, affordable, and secure, the PayPal platform is empowering more than 400 million consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit paypal.com. PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at paypalglobaltalentacquisition@paypal.com.

Industry

Software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1998

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