Civil Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Civil project engineer jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the market concentrated in transportation infrastructure, water and wastewater systems, municipal development, and large-scale commercial construction at every level from entry-level staff engineer through senior project manager. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria anchor most of the hiring activity, where established firms like AECOM, Hanson Professional Services, and Burns & McDonnell maintain long-term Illinois operations. The most sought-after specialties are roadway and bridge design, stormwater management, and site development tied to Illinois Department of Transportation projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 36+ Civil Project Engineer jobs
Mead & Hunt, an award-winning national architecture and engineering firm, has continued to exceed our strategic growth initiatives creating opportunity for our current and prospective team members. As a result, a full-time position is available for an experienced civil engineer / project manager to join our collaborative and innovative Aviation Midwest group at our Chicago IL office. Additionally, this position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule, requiring at least three days per week on-site at our office - an excellent opportunity to enjoy both in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. You will be leading design and project management on projects including runways, taxiways, aprons, service roads, and other related civil engineering projects as needed.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading airfield design, including grading, drainage, pavement, and geometry layouts
- Leading project teams, including management of scope development and execution
- Collaborating with our clients and partner agencies to solve challenges and deliver complex infrastructure improvements through communication and innovative engineering solutions
- Providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff
- Preparing reports, budgets, cost estimates, specifications, plans, schedules, studies and permits related to planning and engineering design
- Assisting with contract administration
- Performing QA/QC tasks
- Mentoring and providing technical guidance for less experienced technical staff
- Maintaining familiarity with technical requirements and regulations affecting the aviation industry and other potential consulting opportunities
- Participate in occasional trade shows and conferences.
- Participate in the pursuit of new private clients, proposal development, and project scoping as needed.
- Attend Client Meetings and visit construction sites to monitor progress as needed
- Other duties as assigned
A valid driver’s license and up to approximately 10% travel (including some overnights) will be required.
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field from an accredited college or university
- At least 12 years of relevant work experience
- PE License
The ideal candidate will have experience in any/all the following:
- At least 10 years of relevant previous experience on airport and/or transportation projects is highly preferred
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D software
- Heavy civil construction experience
At Mead & Hunt we shape the future by putting people first. If you have strong communication and organizational skills, are self-motivated, and can work well both independently and as part of a team, we can help you grow your career working with industry experts on exciting projects. Complete the online application at www.meadhunt.com/careers if this matches your career goals.
Why Mead & Hunt?
- Strong Company Culture
- Robust Career Advancement, Training, & Growth Opportunities
- Employee-Owned Firm
- Flexible Schedules
- Diverse Skillsets, One Company
- Impressive Benefits Package
Mead & Hunt proudly offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid sick leave, parental leave, a 401K plan with a generous company match, life and disability insurance, and an employee assistance program.
Mead & Hunt will not sponsor a visa (H-1B, etc.) for this position.
Salary Range: $138,000 to $182,000 – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: experience, skill set or location.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening requirements.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
#LI-LB1
Mead & Hunt, an award-winning national architecture and engineering firm, has continued to exceed our strategic growth initiatives creating opportunity for our current and prospective team members. As a result, a full-time position is available for an experienced civil engineer / project manager to join our collaborative and innovative Aviation Midwest group at our Chicago IL office. Additionally, this position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule, requiring at least three days per week on-site at our office - an excellent opportunity to enjoy both in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. You will be leading design and project management on projects including runways, taxiways, aprons, service roads, and other related civil engineering projects as needed.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading airfield design, including grading, drainage, pavement, and geometry layouts
- Leading project teams, including management of scope development and execution
- Collaborating with our clients and partner agencies to solve challenges and deliver complex infrastructure improvements through communication and innovative engineering solutions
- Providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff
- Preparing reports, budgets, cost estimates, specifications, plans, schedules, studies and permits related to planning and engineering design
- Assisting with contract administration
- Performing QA/QC tasks
- Mentoring and providing technical guidance for less experienced technical staff
- Maintaining familiarity with technical requirements and regulations affecting the aviation industry and other potential consulting opportunities
- Participate in occasional trade shows and conferences.
- Participate in the pursuit of new private clients, proposal development, and project scoping as needed.
- Attend Client Meetings and visit construction sites to monitor progress as needed
- Other duties as assigned
A valid driver’s license and up to approximately 10% travel (including some overnights) will be required.
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field from an accredited college or university
- At least 12 years of relevant work experience
- PE License
The ideal candidate will have experience in any/all the following:
- At least 10 years of relevant previous experience on airport and/or transportation projects is highly preferred
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and Civil 3D software
- Heavy civil construction experience
At Mead & Hunt we shape the future by putting people first. If you have strong communication and organizational skills, are self-motivated, and can work well both independently and as part of a team, we can help you grow your career working with industry experts on exciting projects. Complete the online application at www.meadhunt.com/careers if this matches your career goals.
Why Mead & Hunt?
- Strong Company Culture
- Robust Career Advancement, Training, & Growth Opportunities
- Employee-Owned Firm
- Flexible Schedules
- Diverse Skillsets, One Company
- Impressive Benefits Package
Mead & Hunt proudly offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid sick leave, parental leave, a 401K plan with a generous company match, life and disability insurance, and an employee assistance program.
Mead & Hunt will not sponsor a visa (H-1B, etc.) for this position.
Salary Range: $138,000 to $182,000 – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: experience, skill set or location.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening requirements.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
#LI-LB1
See All 36 Civil Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Civil Project Engineer JobsCivil Project Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Civil Project Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in civil project engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Illinois Professional Engineer license or active EIT registration with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, or comparable civil design software
- Demonstrated experience managing project schedules, budgets, and subcontractor coordination
- Familiarity with IDOT standards, local municipal codes, and Illinois permitting processes
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports, proposals, and agency submittals
Civil Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a civil project engineer in Illinois?
You need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to become an Engineer in Training through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. After gaining qualifying work experience, you pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to earn your Illinois Professional Engineer license. Most project engineer roles require or strongly prefer licensure, and many Illinois employers expect candidates to be actively pursuing it.
How much do civil project engineers make in Illinois?
Civil project engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $99,760 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,590 for the lowest 10% to over $157,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire civil project engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring civil project engineers in Illinois right now include Christopher B. Burke Engineering, CRAWFORD, MURPHY & TILLY, and Chastain & Associates, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's volume of IDOT-funded road, bridge, and transit projects means engineering consulting firms and public agencies consistently maintain some of the most active hiring pipelines in the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most civil project engineer jobs?
Chicago, Rosemont, and Springfield have the most civil project engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of demand through its dense pipeline of transit, water infrastructure, and commercial development projects, while Rockford and Peoria generate steady regional work tied to municipal capital programs, IDOT corridor improvements, and industrial site development anchored by major manufacturing and logistics employers in those metros.
Are there remote civil project engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Civil project engineering is fundamentally a field-oriented role requiring site visits, contractor coordination, and hands-on review of plans and conditions. About 46% of civil project engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover design-heavy or document-review tasks rather than full project delivery roles. Construction administration and site inspection work remains almost entirely in person.
How can I get hired as a civil project engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for staff engineer or junior engineer roles at Illinois-based consulting firms and public agencies that hire new graduates directly from ABET-accredited programs at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, or Purdue Northwest. Large Illinois employers like AECOM and Hanson Professional Services run graduate development programs that pair new hires with senior PEs. Sitting for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before or during your job search signals commitment and gives you a clear edge over candidates who haven't started the licensure path.
Where can I find and apply to civil project engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to civil project engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the Illinois market. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly through the listings.
See All 36 Civil Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Civil Project Engineer Jobs