Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Mechanical Project Engineer jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in manufacturing, industrial automation, construction, and energy sectors and openings available from entry-level project coordinator roles through senior engineering positions. The heaviest hiring is in and around Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria, where established employers like Caterpillar, John Deere, and Siemens hold long-term engineering footprints across the state. The most sought-after specialties include HVAC systems engineering, structural and piping design, and process automation for manufacturing facilities. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Mechanical Project Engineer jobs
ARi is a global engineering firm headquartered in East Peoria, Illinois, USA offering services for Embedded Software, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Testing & Validation, Automation & Robotics, and Digital Transformation. We work with 3 of the top 5 Heavy Equipment Players, as well as industry leaders in Automotive, Aerospace, and Industrial Manufacturing sectors. Our power of i represents the innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight that differentiates us from our competition. With 1,500+ engineering talent worldwide, representing multiple nationalities and countries with office locations in North America and India, we are well-positioned to deliver sophisticated and custom solutions to our clients.
The Project Engineer will:
- Design and develop new product for chassis equipment, transportation adaptation systems, and advanced power system integration.
- Design and develop electro-mechanical subsystems utilizing engineering principles, CAD modeling, tolerance analysis, and GD&T standards.
- Design engine installation systems, cooling systems, exhaust systems, DEF systems, structural supports, and packaging solutions for complex mechanical assemblies.
- Develop lightweight mechanical structures using castings, weldments, sheet metal, and forged components while meeting durability and performance requirements.
- Perform finite element analysis including static structural analysis, modal analysis, stress analysis, and design optimization. Primary worksite is East Peoria IL but relocation possible.
Requirements:
Masters degree in Mechanical or CAD/CAM Engineering or Technology or related field with 5 months experience as Project or Design Engineer or related
The Benefits of Working at ARi
If you work for ARi, we ensure the benefits extend beyond the workplace. From day one, we offer our full-time employees group health, dental, and life insurance coverage. Vision coverage is available on the first of the following month.
We also understand the importance of recharging your batteries, and that is why we offer paid time off, sick days, company holidays, maternity/paternity leave, and bereavement to full-time employees. We also maintain a 401(k) program for all employees that meet specific eligibility requirements.
We hire talented people from all walks of life because we believe it strengthens our company. If you want to join a team with a diverse culture that strictly upholds and fulfills employee needs, please apply today!
#LI-DNI
ARi is a global engineering firm headquartered in East Peoria, Illinois, USA offering services for Embedded Software, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Testing & Validation, Automation & Robotics, and Digital Transformation. We work with 3 of the top 5 Heavy Equipment Players, as well as industry leaders in Automotive, Aerospace, and Industrial Manufacturing sectors. Our power of i represents the innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight that differentiates us from our competition. With 1,500+ engineering talent worldwide, representing multiple nationalities and countries with office locations in North America and India, we are well-positioned to deliver sophisticated and custom solutions to our clients.
The Project Engineer will:
- Design and develop new product for chassis equipment, transportation adaptation systems, and advanced power system integration.
- Design and develop electro-mechanical subsystems utilizing engineering principles, CAD modeling, tolerance analysis, and GD&T standards.
- Design engine installation systems, cooling systems, exhaust systems, DEF systems, structural supports, and packaging solutions for complex mechanical assemblies.
- Develop lightweight mechanical structures using castings, weldments, sheet metal, and forged components while meeting durability and performance requirements.
- Perform finite element analysis including static structural analysis, modal analysis, stress analysis, and design optimization. Primary worksite is East Peoria IL but relocation possible.
Requirements:
Masters degree in Mechanical or CAD/CAM Engineering or Technology or related field with 5 months experience as Project or Design Engineer or related
The Benefits of Working at ARi
If you work for ARi, we ensure the benefits extend beyond the workplace. From day one, we offer our full-time employees group health, dental, and life insurance coverage. Vision coverage is available on the first of the following month.
We also understand the importance of recharging your batteries, and that is why we offer paid time off, sick days, company holidays, maternity/paternity leave, and bereavement to full-time employees. We also maintain a 401(k) program for all employees that meet specific eligibility requirements.
We hire talented people from all walks of life because we believe it strengthens our company. If you want to join a team with a diverse culture that strictly upholds and fulfills employee needs, please apply today!
#LI-DNI
See All 20 Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMechanical Project Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Project 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 mechanical project engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline required
- Professional Engineer licensure in Illinois or eligibility to obtain Illinois PE licensure preferred
- Three or more years of project engineering experience in manufacturing, construction, or industrial settings
- Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Revit for design and documentation
- Demonstrated ability to manage project schedules, budgets, and cross-functional engineering teams
- Familiarity with Illinois building codes, ASHRAE standards, and applicable ASME or ANSI codes
Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical project engineer in Illinois?
The path to becoming a mechanical project engineer in Illinois begins with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Most employers require or strongly prefer a Professional Engineer license, which Illinois issues through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation after passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Candidates typically enter as project engineers or EIT-level associates and advance as they build hands-on project management experience.
How much do mechanical project engineers make in Illinois?
Mechanical project 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 project engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring mechanical project engineers in Illinois right now include Farnsworth, Stantec, and Sargent & Lundy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of heavy manufacturers, engineering consultancies, and large infrastructure firms means demand is spread across both the Chicago metro and downstate industrial centers like Peoria and Rockford.
Which Illinois cities have the most mechanical project engineer jobs?
The cities with the most mechanical project engineer openings in Illinois are Chicago, Peoria, and Troy. Chicago drives the largest share of postings because of its dense concentration of engineering firms, industrial manufacturers, and commercial construction projects, while Peoria and Rockford reflect the strong downstate presence of heavy equipment and automation manufacturers that maintain ongoing engineering headcount.
Are there remote mechanical project engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 62% of mechanical project engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the role involves on-site visits, equipment inspections, and hands-on project oversight. The portions of the work most likely to be done remotely include design reviews, vendor coordination, and documentation tasks rather than field or manufacturing floor responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a mechanical project engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or junior engineering roles at large Illinois manufacturers and engineering firms that run structured EIT or rotational programs, including companies like Caterpillar and Siemens that hire directly from Illinois engineering programs at the University of Illinois, Illinois Tech, and Purdue's Chicago area presence. Project coordinator and engineering technician roles are common stepping stones, and earning your EIT certification through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation immediately strengthens your candidacy even before you have field experience.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical project engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to mechanical project engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across manufacturing, construction, industrial automation, and energy sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 20 Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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