Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Mechanical engineer jobs in Illinois draw steady demand across manufacturing, infrastructure, defense, and energy sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level design roles through senior systems engineering positions. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria are the state's primary hiring hubs, anchored by established employers such as Caterpillar, Abbott, and Boeing, all of which maintain major engineering operations in Illinois. The most consistently sought specialties include thermal systems, product development, and manufacturing process engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 156+ Mechanical Engineer jobs
- This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics
- You will be preparing calculations, specifications, and technical reports to support client recommendations and reviews, and will additionally conduct equipment sizing, optimization evaluation, and selection in response to project needs
- While supporting project teams with other Mechanical Engineers, you will be involved in system engineering, including the design, modification, and analysis of power plant mechanical systems
- There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BSME or MSME and a strong academic background and interest in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics
- Experience with CAD software, such as AutoCAD or Revit
- Knowledge of the practical application of mechanical engineering and technology including applying systems, principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to a project design
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, fabrication drawings, and models
- Strong interest in numerical computations and problem solving
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training
- Experience in writing and providing support documentation for Mechanical Engineering calculations
- You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
- Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics
- You will be preparing calculations, specifications, and technical reports to support client recommendations and reviews, and will additionally conduct equipment sizing, optimization evaluation, and selection in response to project needs
- While supporting project teams with other Mechanical Engineers, you will be involved in system engineering, including the design, modification, and analysis of power plant mechanical systems
- There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BSME or MSME and a strong academic background and interest in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics
- Experience with CAD software, such as AutoCAD or Revit
- Knowledge of the practical application of mechanical engineering and technology including applying systems, principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to a project design
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, fabrication drawings, and models
- Strong interest in numerical computations and problem solving
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s of Science degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and designation as an Engineer in Training
- Experience in writing and providing support documentation for Mechanical Engineering calculations
- You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
- Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 156+ Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer JobsMechanical Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services13
- Energy11
- Manufacturing5
- Staffing & Recruiting3
- Electronics & Hardware3
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required
- Professional Engineer license issued or recognized in Illinois preferred for senior or supervisory roles
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA for design and modeling tasks
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and tolerance analysis in a manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies used in Illinois production facilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with operations and quality teams
Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical engineer in Illinois?
Becoming a mechanical engineer in Illinois starts with earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program. For roles requiring a Professional Engineer license, candidates must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gain qualifying experience, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Many Illinois employers hire engineers without a PE license for design and development roles, where a strong degree and relevant internship experience are the primary requirements.
How much do mechanical engineers make in Illinois?
Mechanical engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $102,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $72,150 for the lowest 10% to over $160,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring mechanical engineers in Illinois right now include Constellation Energy, Sargent & Lundy, and Burns & McDonnell, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base and presence of global headquarters in the Chicago area mean openings appear across industries from heavy equipment and medical devices to aerospace and consumer products.
Which Illinois cities have the most mechanical engineer jobs?
Chicago, Schaumburg, and Downers Grove account for the largest share of mechanical engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago's concentration of corporate headquarters, research facilities, and advanced manufacturing drives the bulk of demand, while Rockford's long-standing precision machining and aerospace supply chain and Peoria's heavy equipment manufacturing, centered on Caterpillar's global operations, sustain consistent hiring in those metros.
Are there remote mechanical engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're relatively limited. About 39% of mechanical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on, lab, and production-floor demands that define much of the role. The parts of the work most suited to remote arrangements are simulation, analysis, and documentation tasks, which some Illinois employers accommodate on a hybrid schedule rather than fully remote.
How can I get hired as a mechanical engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate engineer programs at large Illinois manufacturers such as Caterpillar in Peoria or Abbott in the northern suburbs, both of which run structured rotational programs for candidates without professional experience. Co-op completions, strong SolidWorks or simulation portfolio projects, and an Engineer in Training designation through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation all strengthen an application. Adjacent roles such as manufacturing technician or quality engineer are also common stepping stones into full mechanical engineering positions at Illinois facilities.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to mechanical engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 156+ Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs