Aerospace Jobs in Illinois

Aerospace jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with demand concentrated in defense systems, commercial aviation, and aerospace manufacturing across roles from entry-level technicians through senior engineers and program managers. The Chicago metro, Rockford, and Decatur anchor most of the hiring, where companies like Boeing, Collins Aerospace, and Caterpillar's aerospace division maintain long-standing operations. The most sought-after specialties include systems engineering, propulsion, avionics, and structural design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles25
Top employerWoodward
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring14
Work type57% On-site
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 25+ Aerospace jobs

Woodward, Inc.
Senior Commercial Counsel, Aerospace
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Woodward, Inc.
Added 2d ago
Senior Commercial Counsel, Aerospace
Woodward, Inc.
Loves Park, Illinois
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$113k - $160k/yr
Hybrid
5,001-10,000

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Woodward, Inc.
Aerospace Development Assembly and Test Technician (2nd Shift)
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Woodward, Inc.
Added 2d ago
Aerospace Development Assembly and Test Technician (2nd Shift)
Woodward, Inc.
Loves Park, Illinois
Maintenance & Repair
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
$26.44 - $42.31/hr
5,001-10,000

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P
Aerospace Software Test Engineer
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P
Added 3d ago
Aerospace Software Test Engineer
Prolim global system
Rockford, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Success
Sales
$65 - $70/hr
On-Site

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Woodward, Inc.
Aerospace Mechanical Technician - 1st Shift
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Woodward, Inc.
Added 5d ago
Aerospace Mechanical Technician - 1st Shift
Woodward, Inc.
Loves Park, Illinois
Educational Administration
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$26.44 - $42.31/hr
5,001-10,000

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Regal Rexnord Corporation
Aerospace CNC Grinding Machinist (ID/OD)
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Regal Rexnord Corporation
Added 6d ago
Aerospace CNC Grinding Machinist (ID/OD)
Regal Rexnord Corporation
Downers Grove, Illinois
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$24 - $33/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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See All 25 Aerospace Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Aerospace Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
4 jobs
Loves Park
4 jobs
Downers Grove
3 jobs
Rockford
2 jobs
Schaumburg
2 jobs
Niles
1 job
Pekin
1 job
Itasca
1 job
Roscoe
1 job

Aerospace Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Woodward
Woodward5 open roles
Regal Rexnord Corporation
Regal Rexnord Corporation3 open roles
WingXpand
WingXpand2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Technology & Software
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in aerospace jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering required
  • Experience with CAD software such as CATIA, NX, or SolidWorks
  • Familiarity with FAA regulations, MIL-SPEC standards, or AS9100 quality systems
  • Ability to obtain or currently hold a U.S. security clearance
  • Proficiency in systems integration, structural analysis, or avionics testing
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration

Aerospace Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a aerospace in Illinois?

Aerospace roles in Illinois typically require a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited program. Illinois has no state-issued license specific to aerospace engineers, but roles in safety-critical systems often require Professional Engineer certification through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Many employers also expect candidates to complete a background investigation to qualify for a federal security clearance before starting work.

Which companies hire aerospaces in Illinois?

Employers hiring aerospaces in Illinois right now include Woodward, Regal Rexnord Corporation, and WingXpand, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's strong defense contracting base and its proximity to major logistics and manufacturing corridors make it a consistent source of aerospace hiring across both large primes and specialized suppliers.

Which Illinois cities have the most aerospace jobs?

Chicago, Loves Park, and Downers Grove have the most aerospace job openings in Illinois. Chicago leads because of its concentration of defense contractors, corporate engineering offices, and proximity to O'Hare, while Rockford's long-standing aerospace manufacturing cluster and Decatur's industrial base drive demand in those markets.

Are there remote aerospace jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Most aerospace work in Illinois involves hands-on lab testing, hardware integration, or on-site program coordination that requires physical presence. About 43% of aerospace openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those openings tend to be concentrated in systems analysis, technical writing, and program management functions where day-to-day work is documentation and coordination rather than hardware.

How can I get hired as a aerospace in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to internship or new-graduate rotational programs at large Illinois defense and manufacturing employers, where structured programs exist specifically for candidates without professional experience. Boeing and Collins Aerospace both run early-career programs out of their Illinois facilities. Lateral moves from adjacent roles in mechanical engineering, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering are common entry points, and earning an EIT designation through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation gives candidates a measurable edge in competitive applicant pools.

Where can I find and apply to aerospace jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to aerospace jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 25 Aerospace Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Aerospace Jobs