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.
Find Highway Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Highway Engineer jobs
Working on the roadway team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all. Explore some of our signature roadway projects here.
What you’ll be challenged to do:
December 2026 and Spring 2027 graduates are encouraged to apply!
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Participate in concept development, preliminary engineering and final design for infrastructure projects including municipal roads and highways.
- Prepare engineering design drawings, sketches, and layouts using an array of software platforms.
- Work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Prepare material quantity and cost estimates.
- Provide technical writing input to proposals, feasibility studies, design criteria and other reports/memorandums.
- Attend internal and external meetings with the team.
- Ability to multi-task and manage workload on various projects simultaneously.
- Initiative to undertake tasks efficiently and independently.
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited university.
- 0-2 years of experience in the design of transportation engineering projects.
- Demonstrated interest in highway or related transportation engineering field through applied academic coursework, prior internships, or work experiences.
- Demonstrated experience with CAD or similar drafting software.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in a team environment, self-starter, demonstrated organization skills, team player, and willingness to learn.
- An Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
- Prior experience with Bentley MicroStation or OpenRoads Designer.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office products.
- Experience in preparing detailed design contract drawings and packages.
Compensation:
Featured Benefits:
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Sponsorship is not being offered for this position.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
Location: Schaumburg, IL; Chicago, IL
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time
Salary Range: $75,000-$85,000
Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
"California Applicants"
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
#LI-ML2
#LI-Hybrid
Working on the roadway team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all. Explore some of our signature roadway projects here.
What you’ll be challenged to do:
December 2026 and Spring 2027 graduates are encouraged to apply!
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Participate in concept development, preliminary engineering and final design for infrastructure projects including municipal roads and highways.
- Prepare engineering design drawings, sketches, and layouts using an array of software platforms.
- Work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Prepare material quantity and cost estimates.
- Provide technical writing input to proposals, feasibility studies, design criteria and other reports/memorandums.
- Attend internal and external meetings with the team.
- Ability to multi-task and manage workload on various projects simultaneously.
- Initiative to undertake tasks efficiently and independently.
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited university.
- 0-2 years of experience in the design of transportation engineering projects.
- Demonstrated interest in highway or related transportation engineering field through applied academic coursework, prior internships, or work experiences.
- Demonstrated experience with CAD or similar drafting software.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in a team environment, self-starter, demonstrated organization skills, team player, and willingness to learn.
- An Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
- Prior experience with Bentley MicroStation or OpenRoads Designer.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office products.
- Experience in preparing detailed design contract drawings and packages.
Compensation:
Featured Benefits:
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Sponsorship is not being offered for this position.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
Location: Schaumburg, IL; Chicago, IL
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time
Salary Range: $75,000-$85,000
Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
"California Applicants"
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
#LI-ML2
#LI-Hybrid
See All 12 Highway Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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 September 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, Schaumburg, and Edwardsville 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 91% of highway engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 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 12 Highway Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Highway Engineer Jobs