Hardware Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Hardware engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in defense electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, embedded systems, and industrial automation across seniority levels from entry-level to principal engineer. Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, and the northwestern suburban corridor around Schaumburg and Rockford anchor most of the hiring, with established employers like Motorola Solutions, Caterpillar, and Abbott Laboratories maintaining significant hardware engineering workforces in the state. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings include embedded systems design, RF and antenna engineering, and FPGA development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Hardware Engineer jobs
What success looks like in this role:
Unisys Corporation is seeking an experienced On-Site Service Engineer (OSE) to provide hands-on support for enterprise data center servers and hardware environments , including next-generation AI infrastructure.
This is a hands-on server hardware and break/fix role . The successful candidate will have direct experience diagnosing, repairing, replacing, and maintaining enterprise server hardware in a data center, field service, or customer-facing environment.
Prior AI experience is not required. Strong experience with enterprise servers and data center hardware is the priority.
What You’ll Do
- Provide on-site technical support for Dell PowerEdge and other enterprise server hardware
- Diagnose and resolve server hardware failures and system issues to minimize customer downtime
- Perform hands-on hardware installation, removal, replacement, and repair, including:
- Memory/DIMMs
- CPUs/processors
- Power supplies
- Fans and cooling components
- Hard drives/SSDs
- RAID/HBA components
- NICs and other PCIe components
- GPUs and accelerator hardware
- Motherboards/system boards and other server components
- Perform rack-and-stack, server installation, cabling, component swaps, and hardware configuration
- Troubleshoot issues involving server hardware, BIOS/firmware, operating systems, and hardware diagnostics
- Perform firmware and BIOS updates and utilize server management tools such as Dell iDRAC or comparable platforms
- Execute both reactive break/fix and preventive maintenance following established procedures
- Troubleshoot and isolate hardware failures using documented diagnostic procedures and technical resources
- Work directly with customers and internal technical teams during service events to communicate status, troubleshoot issues, and drive resolution
- Accurately document service activities, hardware replacements, troubleshooting steps, and resolution details
- Escalate complex technical issues when appropriate
Participate in on-call rotations and provide extended coverage as required
You will be successful in this role if you have:
What You Bring – Required
- 3+ years of hands-on experience supporting enterprise servers, data center hardware, or similar infrastructure
- Direct, hands-on experience physically working on server hardware — installing, removing, diagnosing, repairing, or replacing server components
- Experience troubleshooting and replacing components such as memory, CPUs, power supplies, storage, RAID/HBA, NICs, fans/cooling systems, PCIe components, or GPUs
- Experience working with rack-mounted enterprise servers in a data center, field service, or customer environment
- Strong understanding of server hardware architecture and troubleshooting methodology
- Experience with hardware diagnostics, BIOS/firmware, and server management tools
- Familiarity with Linux or similar operating systems
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently diagnose hardware issues
- Comfortable working independently in a customer-facing environment
- Ability to clearly communicate technical issues and resolutions to customers and internal teams
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. , travel to customer sites, and support flexible/on-call schedules
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Dell PowerEdge servers
- Dell or other enterprise hardware certifications
- Experience with iDRAC, iLO, or comparable server management platforms
- Experience supporting GPU/AI server infrastructure
- Experience with data center operations, rack/stack, structured cabling, or server deployment
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field
Important Note
AI infrastructure experience is not required. Candidates with strong enterprise server and data center hardware experience who are willing to learn emerging AI platforms are encouraged to apply.
#LI-BW1
This role may require access to export-controlled commodities and technology. Therefore, to conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
Unisys is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to age, caste, citizenship, color, disability, family medical history, family status, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status or any other category protected by law.
This commitment includes our efforts to provide for all those who seek to express interest in employment the opportunity to participate without barriers. If you are a US job seeker unable to review the job opportunities herein, or cannot otherwise complete your expression of interest, without additional assistance and would like to discuss a request for reasonable accommodation, please contact our Global Recruiting organization at GlobalRecruiting@unisys.com or alternatively Toll Free: 888-560-1782 (Prompt 4). US job seekers can find more information about Unisys’ EEO commitment here .
What success looks like in this role:
Unisys Corporation is seeking an experienced On-Site Service Engineer (OSE) to provide hands-on support for enterprise data center servers and hardware environments , including next-generation AI infrastructure.
This is a hands-on server hardware and break/fix role . The successful candidate will have direct experience diagnosing, repairing, replacing, and maintaining enterprise server hardware in a data center, field service, or customer-facing environment.
Prior AI experience is not required. Strong experience with enterprise servers and data center hardware is the priority.
What You’ll Do
- Provide on-site technical support for Dell PowerEdge and other enterprise server hardware
- Diagnose and resolve server hardware failures and system issues to minimize customer downtime
- Perform hands-on hardware installation, removal, replacement, and repair, including:
- Memory/DIMMs
- CPUs/processors
- Power supplies
- Fans and cooling components
- Hard drives/SSDs
- RAID/HBA components
- NICs and other PCIe components
- GPUs and accelerator hardware
- Motherboards/system boards and other server components
- Perform rack-and-stack, server installation, cabling, component swaps, and hardware configuration
- Troubleshoot issues involving server hardware, BIOS/firmware, operating systems, and hardware diagnostics
- Perform firmware and BIOS updates and utilize server management tools such as Dell iDRAC or comparable platforms
- Execute both reactive break/fix and preventive maintenance following established procedures
- Troubleshoot and isolate hardware failures using documented diagnostic procedures and technical resources
- Work directly with customers and internal technical teams during service events to communicate status, troubleshoot issues, and drive resolution
- Accurately document service activities, hardware replacements, troubleshooting steps, and resolution details
- Escalate complex technical issues when appropriate
Participate in on-call rotations and provide extended coverage as required
You will be successful in this role if you have:
What You Bring – Required
- 3+ years of hands-on experience supporting enterprise servers, data center hardware, or similar infrastructure
- Direct, hands-on experience physically working on server hardware — installing, removing, diagnosing, repairing, or replacing server components
- Experience troubleshooting and replacing components such as memory, CPUs, power supplies, storage, RAID/HBA, NICs, fans/cooling systems, PCIe components, or GPUs
- Experience working with rack-mounted enterprise servers in a data center, field service, or customer environment
- Strong understanding of server hardware architecture and troubleshooting methodology
- Experience with hardware diagnostics, BIOS/firmware, and server management tools
- Familiarity with Linux or similar operating systems
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently diagnose hardware issues
- Comfortable working independently in a customer-facing environment
- Ability to clearly communicate technical issues and resolutions to customers and internal teams
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. , travel to customer sites, and support flexible/on-call schedules
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Dell PowerEdge servers
- Dell or other enterprise hardware certifications
- Experience with iDRAC, iLO, or comparable server management platforms
- Experience supporting GPU/AI server infrastructure
- Experience with data center operations, rack/stack, structured cabling, or server deployment
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field
Important Note
AI infrastructure experience is not required. Candidates with strong enterprise server and data center hardware experience who are willing to learn emerging AI platforms are encouraged to apply.
#LI-BW1
This role may require access to export-controlled commodities and technology. Therefore, to conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
Unisys is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to age, caste, citizenship, color, disability, family medical history, family status, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status or any other category protected by law.
This commitment includes our efforts to provide for all those who seek to express interest in employment the opportunity to participate without barriers. If you are a US job seeker unable to review the job opportunities herein, or cannot otherwise complete your expression of interest, without additional assistance and would like to discuss a request for reasonable accommodation, please contact our Global Recruiting organization at GlobalRecruiting@unisys.com or alternatively Toll Free: 888-560-1782 (Prompt 4). US job seekers can find more information about Unisys’ EEO commitment here .
See All 12 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hardware Engineer JobsHardware Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Hardware Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Fashion & Apparel
- Investment & Asset Management
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in hardware engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Hands-on experience designing and validating PCBs, embedded systems, or mixed-signal circuits
- Proficiency with hardware design tools such as Cadence, Altium Designer, or Mentor Graphics
- Experience writing firmware or low-level software in C or C++ alongside hardware development
- Familiarity with hardware verification methods including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG debugging
- Strong collaboration skills for cross-functional work with software, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams
Hardware Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hardware engineer in Illinois?
Most hardware engineer roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related discipline. Illinois does not require a state license to work as a hardware engineer in private industry, though engineers who stamp public-infrastructure designs must hold a Professional Engineer license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Building practical skills through senior capstone projects, internships with Illinois employers, and hands-on lab experience accelerates hiring.
How much do hardware engineers make in Illinois?
Hardware engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $133,220 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,420 for the lowest 10% to over $210,100 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire hardware engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring hardware engineers in Illinois right now include Unisys, ARI, and Molex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's defense and communications sectors, anchored by firms in the Chicago metro and Schaumburg corridor, generate some of the most consistent hardware engineering demand in the Midwest.
Which Illinois cities have the most hardware engineer jobs?
Chicago, Lisle, and Itasca are the Illinois cities with the most hardware engineer openings. Chicago and its northwestern suburbs drive the largest share, home to Motorola Solutions, major defense contractors, and a deep manufacturing base, while Champaign-Urbana draws hardware roles tied to the University of Illinois research ecosystem and the startups and mid-size firms that cluster around it.
Are there remote hardware engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Hardware engineering is inherently hands-on, requiring access to lab equipment, prototypes, and test benches, which limits remote arrangements more than desk-based roles. About 33% of hardware engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those that are tend to involve design review, documentation, or systems architecture work rather than bench-level development.
How can I get hired as a hardware engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a formal internship or new-graduate rotational program at a large Illinois employer. Motorola Solutions, Abbott Laboratories, and Caterpillar all run structured early-career programs that place candidates with limited professional experience into hardware teams. Entry-level openings are also common under titles like associate hardware engineer, electrical engineering associate, or test engineer, and a strong senior capstone project, competition experience, or a documented personal hardware project gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to hardware engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 12 Hardware Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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