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Research Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Acceler8 Talent

Research Engineer

Mundelein, IL · On-site

$300K/yr

Founding Research Engineer - AI & Defence 📍 San Francisco | Onsite I'm working with a highly ambitious defense AI startup building technology to detect and conduct a novel class of AI-powered ...

Primient

Research Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

Research Engineer | Primient About Primient Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based ...

Primient

Pilot Plant Engineer

Decatur, IL

Pilot Plant Engineer | Primient About Primient Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based ...

Primient

Research Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$82K/mo

As a member of the Global Operation Support Team, the Research Chemical Engineer will be responsible for providing technical support across the Global Operations division and leading a portfolio of ...

Primient Careers

Research Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

As a member of the Global Operation Support Team, the Research Chemical Engineer will be responsible for providing technical support across the Global Operations division and leading a portfolio of ...

Primient Careers

Research Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

As a member of the Global Operation Support Team, the Research Chemical Engineer will be responsible for providing technical support across the Global Operations division and leading a portfolio of ...

DRW

Research Engineer (FICCO)

Chicago, IL · On-site

As a Research Engineer, you will work closely with a systematic trading team to implement research studies, develop algorithms, and design software for trading strategy simulations. Responsibilities ...

DRW

Research Engineer (FICCO)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

As a Research Engineer , you will be an integral member of a systematic trading team comprised of experienced technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Your team will work closely to ...

Salesforce, Inc.

Applied Research Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Research Engineering team works directly alongside Research Scientists to bring models to life. This position is dedicated to a high-impact systems role, providing the best of both worlds: deep ...

G&W Electric Co

Sr Research Engineer

Bolingbrook, IL

$96K - $128K/yr

The Senior Research Engineer serves as a technical leader within the organization, mentors junior engineers, collaborates with universities and research partners, and represents G&W Electric in the ...

Salesforce, Inc.

Applied Research Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Research Engineering team works directly alongside Research Scientists to bring models to life. This position is dedicated to a high-impact systems role, providing the best of both worlds: deep ...

P2P

Research Engineer (FICCO)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175 - $225/hr

As a Research Engineer , you will be an integral member of a systematic trading team comprised of experienced technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Your team will work closely to ...

New

GW Electric

$96K - $128K/yr

The Senior Research Engineer serves as a technical leader within the organization, mentors junior engineers, collaborates with universities and research partners, and represents G&W Electric in the ...

DRW

Research Engineer (FICCO) (Chicago)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

As a Research Engineer , you will be an integral member of a systematic trading team comprised of experienced technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Your team will work closely to ...

Zebra Technologies

Research Engineer, I

Lincolnshire, IL · Hybrid

$61K - $91K/yr

The Research Engineer, I drives invention and innovation. Delivers and shapes differentiated offerings for company's Priority markets. Develops new technologies and platforms and translates into new ...

G&W Electric

Sr Research Engineer

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

$96K - $128K/yr

Sr Research Engineer A senior-level role that leads strategic, multidisciplinary projects, serves as a thought leader, and builds the company's innovation network. As an Sr Research Engineer you will:

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All JobsResearch Engineer JobsResearch Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Research Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$35.9K

$102.7K

$138.1K

How much do research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for research engineer in Illinois is $102,729.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,800.00 and $100,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research engineer?

Research engineers are professionals who apply scientific and engineering principles to conduct research, develop new products, and improve existing technologies. They typically work in laboratories, research and development departments, or academic settings, collaborating with scientists and other engineers. Their work often involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and creating prototypes to solve technical problems or advance knowledge in their field.

How do research engineers typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Research Engineers often work closely with scientists, data analysts, product managers, and software engineers to develop and implement innovative solutions. Collaboration usually involves regular meetings to align on project goals, sharing technical findings, and integrating research outcomes into product development. Effective communication and the ability to translate complex research concepts into actionable insights are key to ensuring the project progresses smoothly and meets its objectives.

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

To thrive as a Research Engineer, a strong background in engineering principles, advanced mathematics, and scientific research—often supported by a relevant degree or postgraduate study—is essential. Familiarity with data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python, CAD software, and laboratory instrumentation is typically required, along with experience in technical report writing. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective collaboration skills help Research Engineers excel in multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are vital for developing innovative solutions, advancing technology, and ensuring rigorous, impactful research outcomes.

What is the difference between Research Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectResearch EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in engineering, computer science, or related fieldsUsually holds a master's or Ph.D. in statistics, computer science, or related areas
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, technology companiesData analysis teams, analytics departments, tech firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, and tech industriesCommon in finance, healthcare, marketing, and tech sectors

Research Engineers focus on developing new technologies, prototypes, and engineering solutions, often working on hardware or system design. Data Scientists analyze large datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and support decision-making. While both roles require strong technical skills and advanced degrees, their core functions and industry applications differ significantly.

Do I need a PhD to be a research engineer?

A PhD is not always required to become a research engineer, as many roles value relevant experience, technical skills, and a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or related fields. However, some specialized research positions or advanced projects may prefer or require a doctoral degree. Practical skills, problem-solving ability, and familiarity with tools like MATLAB or Python are also important for success in this role.
More about Research Engineer jobs

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Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,729 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

Research Engineer

Acceler8 Talent

Mundelein, IL • On-site

$300K/yr

Other

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Founding Research Engineer - AI & Defence


📍 San Francisco | Onsite


I’m working with a highly ambitious defense AI startup building technology to detect and conduct a novel class of AI-powered cyber operation. This is not conventional cybersecurity, vulnerability research or zero-day hunting.


The technical challenge sits much closer to elite quantitative research, market microstructure and applied machine learning.


You’ll work with petabyte-scale, multimodal time-series data refreshing in under one second, helping build the full prediction and learning stack:


→ Stream and capture continuously refreshing data at scale

→ Convert noisy, often ungrounded signals into useful representations

→ Model the future behaviour of actors within complex environments

→ Combine classical statistical methods with deep learning and transformers

→ Build agents that learn new strategies from sparse, long-horizon reward signals

→ Shape the technical direction of the company as an early engineering hire


The strongest candidates will be highly quantitative, empirically minded and comfortable working on ambiguous research problems. You may currently be a Quantitative Researcher or Quantitative Developer within a top systematic trading environment.


Relevant backgrounds could also include:


• Systematic trading and market microstructure

• Applied mathematics or statistics

• Signal processing

• Machine learning and sequential modelling

• Computational social science

• Intelligence or national-security technology


Prior cybersecurity experience is not required.


The company is already revenue-generating, has more than 18 months of runway and is backed by leading seed investors. The founding team has built and exited multiple companies, collectively returning more than $1B to investors.


Its advisory network includes senior military leaders and former White House advisors.

This is an opportunity to join a small, high-agency team working on problems with direct defense and intelligence relevance, where the earliest hires will influence both the core technology and how it is deployed.


Base salaries up to $300k + Significant equity for founding Engineers


No export controls, but you will need to either be a Green Card holder or US citizen to apply.


Apply to Ethan to find out more

elewis@acceler8talent.com

Apply