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

Systematics

Packaging Engineer

Itasca, IL · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career engineer with hands-on Eng View and AutoCAD experience who is eager to grow their skills in corrugate structural design, retail display ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Controls Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

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 ...

KEYENCE

Field Application Engineer '27

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$53K - $80K/yr

Whether you're a recent graduate or early in your career, this is your opportunity to grow with a global leader in automation and technology. What You'll Do As a Field Application Engineer , you'll ...

Jump Trading

HPC Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Our global High Performance Computing Team is looking to add a Production Engineer in our Chicago ... Reliable and predictable availability If you are currently a student or recent graduate, please see ...

Jump Trading

Digital Modem Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Trading Infrastructure is a global organization of Engineers who architect, build and maintain our ... or recent graduate, please see our Campus postings which offer both intern and full-time ...

Hansoninc

Bridge Civil Engineer (EIT)

Lisle, IL

$76K - $95K/yr

Candidate may be recent graduate or an experienced individual with up to (3) years of experience (salary commensurate with experience) * Candidates with a master's degree in structural engineering ...

Jump Trading

HPC Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Our global High Performance Computing Team is looking to add a Production Engineer in our Chicago ... Reliable and predictable availability If you are currently a student or recent graduate, please see ...

Clerkie

Software Engineer Internship

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$80/hr

A soon-to-be or recent graduate (class of 2024 or 2025 preferred) with a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field * Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and experience ...

Akuna Capital

Software Engineer - C++

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$145K/yr

What you'll do as a Software Engineer at Akuna: Akuna is looking for motivated self-starters to ... If you are a current student or recent graduate, please take a look at our Entry Level and Intern ...

Akuna Capital

Software Engineer - C++

Chicago, IL · On-site

$145K/yr

What you'll do as a Software Engineer at Akuna: Akuna is looking for motivated self-starters to ... If you are a current student or recent graduate, please take a look at our Entry Level and Intern ...

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Showing results 21-40

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

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 7, 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 are popular job titles related to Recent Graduate Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Recent Graduate Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Recent Graduate Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Recent Graduate Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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

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

Recent Graduate Engineer jobs near you
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 I (Remote)

Inspira Financial

Oak Brook, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Inspira Financial rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We are looking for a Software Engineer I to produce scalable software solutions working alongside and mentored by experienced developer leaders. You'll be part of a cross-functional team that's responsible for the full software development life cycle, from conception to deployment.
As a Software Engineer I, you will have some familiarity with both front-end and back-end coding languages, development frameworks and third-party libraries. You should also be a team player with a knack for visual design and utility.
If you are a recent graduate or early in your development career and want to be a part of a fast-growing company focused on product delivery and excellent client experience, then we want to hear from you!
  • Work with software engineering teams and product managers to ideate software solutions.
  • Familiarity with agile/scrum frameworks.
  • Develop visually appealing front end website solutions, including translating designer mock-ups and wireframes into front-end code.
  • Design user interactions on web pages.
  • Develop functional databases, applications, and servers to support websites on the back end.
  • Implement mobile responsive designs.
  • Develop RESTful services and APIs with the direction of Technical Leads designs and Architecture UML diagrams.
  • Stay abreast of developments in web applications and programming languages.
  • Keep job knowledge up to date by studying new development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal and professional networks; participating in professional organizations.
  • Write effective, efficient and scalable APIs.
  • Test software to ensure responsiveness and efficiency.
  • Troubleshoot, debug and upgrade software.
  • Write technical documentation.
  • Development experience for responsive mobile applications.
  • Knowledge of code versioning tools such as Git and Azure DevOps.
  • Understanding of DevOps Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD)
  • Knowledge of one or more cloud platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Azure, AWS)

Years of Experience:
  • 1 - 3 years' experience as a Full Stack Developer or similar role.

Degree:
  • Bachelor's degree in Degree in Computer Science, Statistics or relevant field or experience.

Certification: N/A
Skills & Abilities:
  • Knowledge of one or more front-end languages and libraries (e.g. HTML/ CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, XML, React 17+)
  • Knowledge of one or more back-end languages (e.g. C# 10+, .NET 10+) and JavaScript frameworks (e.g. Node.js 20+)
  • Familiarity with infrastructure as code and the deployment of those constructs.
  • Familiarity with databases (e.g. MySQL, MongoDB), web servers (e.g. Apache) and UI/UX design.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
  • Great attention to detail, an analytical mind and organizational skills

What Inspira Financial employees say

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