Highway Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Highway engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in transportation planning, roadway design, and infrastructure rehabilitation across public agencies and private consulting firms at every level from entry-level project engineer through senior principal. Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria are the primary hiring centers, anchored by large employers such as IDOT (the Illinois Department of Transportation), AECOM, and Burns & McDonnell, all of which maintain lasting project pipelines in the state. The most sought-after specialties include traffic engineering, pavement design, and construction inspection for major corridor projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Sr Software Development Engineer – On-Highway Vehicles
As we continue to grow, our Industrial Division is looking for a Sr Software Development Engineer to join our Software Engineering team in the Chicago area.
LOCATION: Arlington Heights, IL (Chicago area)
SALARY: $100,000 - $130,000 plus bonus.
Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.
BENEFITS:
We Take Care of Our People
Paid Time Off I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing I Health and Wellness Benefits I Learning and Development Opportunities I Referral Program I Competitive Pay I Recognition I Employee Stock Purchase Plan I Inclusive & Supportive Culture *
YOUR CHALLENGE:
As a member of the Software Engineering team at our Arlington Heights, IL business, you will be challenged to help design, document and test embedded software for safety critical on-highway applications. You will have the opportunity to work closely with hardware and software engineers.
- Design and develop software test plans and perform and document the testing of embedded code.
- Documentation according to APQP / ASPICE standards
- Develop, perform and document system test cases
- Work closely with other software and hardware engineers to develop quotes and new products
- Interface with customers
WHAT YOU BRING:
- Electrical Engineering or Computer Science degree
- Minimum of 4-5 years of embedded software development experience.
- Strong proficiency in C, C++, debugger usage, and emulation tools.
- Ability to develop embedded solutions for quick prototyping, concept demonstration and as well as delivering quality embedded products to customers.
- Fast technical learner with demonstrated proficiency in multitasking and communicating effectively with others in a collaborative team environment.
- Experience in automotive embedded software and CAN bus
- IBM ELM including Doors experience a plus
- Automotive Cyber Security per ISO21434 and functional safety per ISO26262
- UDS implementation
- CAN Analyzer hand on experience
WHO WE ARE:
- Our Values
- Environmental, Social and Governance
Curtiss-Wright Industrial Division, which includes the legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls, is an excellent supplier in providing components and sub-systems which enable customer specific solutions for on- and off-highway vehicles. These include medium and heavy-duty trucks, buses and motor coaches, construction and agricultural vehicles, materials handling, and other specialty vehicles, as well as sophisticated wheelchairs and scooters for medical mobility.
We are a world leading provider of joystick controllers, electronic throttle controls, transmission shifters, sensors and integrated sub-systems for commercial off-highway equipment, commercial trucks and buses, so helping to address the long-term trend towards attaining higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions. We also supply operator controls and advanced motor controllers for hybrid and electric vehicles, such as buses, forklift trucks, pallet stackers, wheelchairs and rehabilitation chairs.
To learn more, please visit us: https://industrial.curtisswright.com/
#LI-TS1
No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.
Compliance Statement
This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.
Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.
For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.
If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.
See All 10 Highway Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find Highway Engineer JobsHighway Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Highway 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 highway engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Engineer license or eligibility to obtain one required
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering discipline required
- Experience with roadway design using AutoCAD Civil 3D or MicroStation preferred
- Familiarity with IDOT design standards, specifications, and project delivery procedures
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites across Illinois
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for reports, plans, and client coordination
Highway Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a highway engineer in Illinois?
Becoming a highway engineer in Illinois starts with earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to become an Engineer Intern. After gaining qualifying work experience under a licensed engineer, you apply through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam and earn your Professional Engineer license, which most public agency and senior consulting roles require.
How much do highway engineers make in Illinois?
Highway 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 highway engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring highway engineers in Illinois right now include GFT, EFK Moen, and Modjeski and Masters, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's large public infrastructure program through IDOT, combined with an active private consulting sector, means hiring is broad and continuous across both agency and firm settings.
Which Illinois cities have the most highway engineer jobs?
Chicago, Edwardsville, and Schaumburg have the most highway engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of postings given its concentration of engineering consulting firms and major IDOT district offices, while Springfield anchors state agency hiring as the capital, and Peoria and Rockford generate steady demand from regional transportation improvement programs and public works departments.
Are there remote highway engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 100% of highway engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the fact that most highway engineering work involves field inspections, site visits, and coordination with contractors that require physical presence. The tasks most compatible with remote work are preliminary design, plan review, and report writing.
How can I get hired as a highway engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to IDOT's Bureau of Design and Environment or to large Illinois consulting firms such as AECOM, Kimley-Horn, or Civiltech Engineering, which regularly hire junior engineers and offer structured mentorship under licensed PEs. Entry-level titles like project engineer or design engineer are the standard on-ramp. Candidates with an Engineer Intern certificate, AutoCAD Civil 3D coursework, or an internship from an Illinois university civil engineering program have a clear advantage in initial screening.
Where can I find and apply to highway engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to highway engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 10 Highway Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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