Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in automotive and auto-supplier networks, heavy industrial equipment, food processing, and defense manufacturing, with openings from entry-level process engineers through senior and principal roles. The busiest hiring markets are Chicago and its northwest suburban corridor, Rockford, and the Peoria area, where Caterpillar, Deere, and Abbott Laboratories anchor large engineering workforces. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings are lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, CNC and automation systems, and quality and process engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles131+
Top employerRFA Engineering
Top cityPontiac, IL
Cities hiring82
Work type83% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 131+ Manufacturing Engineer jobs

Stevens Industries, Inc.
Manufacturing Engineer
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Stevens Industries, Inc.
Added 2d ago
Manufacturing Engineer
Stevens Industries, Inc.
Teutopolis, Illinois
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
$75k - $80k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
501-1,000

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Conagra Brands
Process Engineer - Food Manufacturing Plant
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Conagra Brands
Added 2d ago
Process Engineer - Food Manufacturing Plant
Conagra Brands
Henning, Illinois
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$64k - $95k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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FIC America
Manufacturing Engineer
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FIC America
Added 2d ago
Manufacturing Engineer
FIC America
Carol Stream, Illinois
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$75k - $95k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
501-1,000

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Collins Aerospace
MRO Manufacturing Engineer II - ASA (Onsite)
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Collins Aerospace
Added 3d ago
MRO Manufacturing Engineer II - ASA (Onsite)
Collins Aerospace
Rockford, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
$69k - $131k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Collins Aerospace
MRO Manufacturing Engineer II (Onsite)
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Collins Aerospace
Added 3d ago
MRO Manufacturing Engineer II (Onsite)
Collins Aerospace
Rockford, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
$69k - $131k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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See All 131+ Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Manufacturing Engineer Jobs

Manufacturing Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Pontiac
8 jobs
Chicago
7 jobs
Rockford
6 jobs
Wheeling
6 jobs
Peoria
4 jobs
Romeoville
3 jobs
East Moline
3 jobs
Carol Stream
3 jobs
Spring Grove
3 jobs

Manufacturing Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering5 open roles
Komatsu
Komatsu3 open roles
Scot Forge
Scot Forge3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Technology & Software
  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Mining & Natural Resources

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing engineer jobs across Illinois.

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering required
  • Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA
  • Experience applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies
  • Familiarity with GD&T, FMEA, and quality control standards such as ISO or IATF
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
  • Strong root-cause analysis and problem-solving skills for production environments

Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a manufacturing engineer in Illinois?

Most Illinois employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for most manufacturing engineering roles, though engineers who sign off on public-safety-critical designs may need a Professional Engineer license issued through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Earning a Certified Manufacturing Engineer credential from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers strengthens candidacy across Illinois employers.

How much do manufacturing engineers make in Illinois?

Manufacturing engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $100,540 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,780 for the lowest 10% to over $155,650 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire manufacturing engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring manufacturing engineers in Illinois right now include RFA Engineering, Komatsu, and Scot Forge, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's mix of heavy equipment, defense, medical device, and food-processing manufacturers means demand cuts across industries rather than concentrating in a single sector.

Which Illinois cities have the most manufacturing engineer jobs?

Pontiac, Chicago, and Rockford have the most manufacturing engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago and the northwest suburbs drive volume through a dense cluster of automotive suppliers, medical device companies, and industrial manufacturers, while Rockford's long-standing aerospace and machine-tool industry and the Peoria area's Caterpillar and heavy-equipment supply chain account for strong demand outside the Chicago metro.

Are there remote manufacturing engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing engineering is fundamentally a hands-on, floor-level role, and most Illinois positions require regular on-site presence to manage tooling, production lines, and quality processes. About 17% of manufacturing engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings tend to cover process documentation, CAD design, or supplier-quality coordination that can be done off-site.

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

The most realistic entry path is a co-op or internship completed while finishing an engineering degree, as Illinois employers like Caterpillar, Deere, and Abbott regularly convert interns into full-time associates. New graduates without internship experience often enter through quality technician, manufacturing technician, or process improvement analyst roles and move into engineering positions after demonstrating floor-level competence. Completing a Six Sigma Green Belt certification or building a portfolio of process-improvement projects gives candidates a concrete edge in Illinois hiring.

Where can I find and apply to manufacturing engineer jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to manufacturing engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.

See All 131+ Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Manufacturing Engineer Jobs