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Temporary Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Display advanced knowledge of engineering computer programs related to preventative maintenance, energy management, and other systems, including devices that interact with such programs. Perform ...

Display advanced knowledge of engineering computer programs related to preventative maintenance, energy management, and other systems, including devices that interact with such programs. Perform ...

Temp-to-Permanent Work location: The candidates will fly from their home market to wherever the project is located. They'll complete their work and then fly back home. DAS Commissioning Engineer ...

Temp-to-Permanent Work location: The candidates will fly from their home market to wherever the project is located. They'll complete their work and then fly back home. DAS Commissioning Engineer ...

Temporary Shop Carpenter

Carol Stream, IL

$22.50 - $30.50/hr

Temporary Shop Carpenter - Possible Temp-to-Perm Primary Responsibilities: * Cabinetry and ... Programming and working with CNC machines, table saws, and power tools. * Reading and interpreting ...

Temporary Shop Carpenter

Carol Stream, IL · On-site

$22.50 - $30.50/hr

Temporary Shop Carpenter - Possible Temp-to-Perm Primary Responsibilities: * Cabinetry and ... Programming and working with CNC machines, table saws, and power tools. * Reading and interpreting ...

... temporary site assignment possible Date June 2026 Position Summary We deliver complex construction with agility, quality, and extreme customer service -- and the Project Engineer is central to making ...

... temporary site assignment possible Date June 2026 Position Summary We deliver complex construction with agility, quality, and extreme customer service -- and the Project Engineer is central to making ...

... temporary site assignment possible Date June 2026 Position Summary We deliver complex construction with agility, quality, and extreme customer service - and the Project Engineer is central to making ...

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Temporary Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$48

$90

How much do temporary engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary engineer in Chicago, IL is $48.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.92 and $62.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Temporary Engineers face when adapting to new projects or teams?

Temporary Engineers often move between projects and organizations, which means they must quickly acclimate to varying workflows, technologies, and team cultures. One common challenge is understanding project-specific procedures and expectations in a short timeframe. Additionally, building rapport with permanent team members can take extra effort, but a proactive approach and open communication help smooth the transition. Adapting quickly and demonstrating flexibility are key to succeeding in these dynamic environments.

What are temporary engineers?

Temporary engineers are professionals who are hired for a fixed duration or to complete specific projects within an organization. They typically fill short-term needs, such as covering staff absences, managing increased workloads, or contributing specialized expertise to projects. Temporary engineers may work through staffing agencies or be directly contracted by companies. Their roles and responsibilities are similar to permanent engineers, but their employment is limited to the duration of the contract. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the employer and the engineer.

What Are Temporary Jobs for an Engineer?

Temporary jobs for an engineer include mechanical and manufacturing roles in a variety of industries. In these jobs, you work for a company with temporary staffing needs. Job duties can vary widely, and many companies hire temporary engineers to work on short-term projects. As a temporary engineer, you may operate equipment, oversee manufacturing operations, and handle other duties as necessary. You typically work with teams to carry out design goals and meet deadlines. Other responsibilities include supervising project management tasks as well as teams of employees to fulfill organizational needs.

What is the difference between Temporary Engineer vs Contract Engineer?

AspectTemporary EngineerContract Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering certifications, sometimes entry-levelSimilar certifications, often with specialized skills
Work EnvironmentTypically on-site, project-based, short-termOn-site or remote, project-specific, fixed-term
Employer UsageUsed by companies for short-term needs or seasonal projectsEngaged for specific projects, often through staffing agencies

Temporary Engineers and Contract Engineers both fill short-term engineering roles, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology and contractual arrangements, with 'Temporary Engineer' emphasizing a short-term position directly with an employer, while 'Contract Engineer' often involves working through staffing agencies or on specific project contracts.

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

To thrive as a Temporary Engineer, you generally need a relevant engineering degree, technical proficiency in your discipline, and prior hands-on experience in similar roles. Familiarity with industry-specific software (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or MATLAB), safety protocols, and any required certifications like EIT or PE is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help temporary engineers quickly integrate into new teams and projects. These skills and qualifications are important because they enable engineers to contribute immediately and effectively in short-term assignments, ensuring project continuity and quality.
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Temporary Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Temporary Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Temporary Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Temporary Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Temporary Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,870 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

Temporary Platform Engineer

The University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


University Of Chicago rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

153rd of 614 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department
BSD CTD - Platform Engineering - PlanX
About the Department
The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. We build and operate open-source platforms (like Gen3.org) that allow researchers to analyze massive biomedical, healthcare, and environmental datasets.
Job Information
Job Summary:
The Center for Translation Data Science is seeking a highly skilled Temporary Platform Engineer with strong Full-Stack Development experience (or vice versa) for a focused, ~6-month engagement. The ideal candidate lives at the intersection of infrastructure and code. You will actively support, optimize, and scale our hybrid and public cloud infrastructure while writing and debugging application-level code. Your core focus will be driving efficiency within our AWS EKS and ArgoCD pipelines, while seamlessly jumping into our backend and frontend codebases when need.
Responsibilities:
  • Infrastructure & GitOps: Manage, optimize, and troubleshoot Kubernetes clusters using AWS EKS and drive continuous delivery via ArgoCD.
  • Full-Stack Development: Write, review, and debug application code across our ecosystem-supporting both backend services and frontend user interfaces.
  • CI/CD & Automation: Design, maintain, and improve robust CI/CD pipelines across commercial cloud environments (primarily AWS).
  • Production Support: Triage, research, and mitigate complex production incidents, utilizing monitoring tools to proactively ensure platform stability.
  • Technical Problem Solving: Identify opportunities for performance optimization, security automation, and technical improvements within the production ecosystem.

Competencies:
  • Ability to hit the ground running with minimal hand-holding in a fast-paced research data environment.
  • Strong collaborative skills to work alongside data scientists, researchers, and core engineering teams.
  • Familiarity with open-source software development and maintenance.
  • Ability to collaborate with team members and help define guidelines and best practices and ensuring accountability for deliverables and outcomes.
  • Ability to take and provide constructive and helpful input and feedback on technical issues.
  • Ability to negotiate complex decisions, present options and persuasively advocate for optimal technical solutions, internally and externally.
  • Ability to take multiple complex tasks and break them into smaller ones, estimating the effort needed to complete them, prioritizing them appropriately, and ensuring the completion of each task, meeting the required level of quality.
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team and ensure accountability for deliverables and outcomes.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage workload to meet project milestones and deadlines.

Additional Responsibilities
Education, Experience, or Certifications:
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field required.

Experience:
  • Containerization & Orchestration: Deep, hands-on production experience with AWS EKS and ArgoCD is required.
  • Backend Development: Strong proficiency in Python and/or Go preferred.
  • Frontend Development: Solid experience with modern Javascript frameworks, specifically Next.js is required.
  • Cloud Architecture: Strong technical knowledge of AWS services (including Lambda), serverless architectures, and secure networking is required.

Required Documents:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Temporary Staff
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$100,000.00 - $140,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
This position is not eligible for benefits.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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