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.

Find Jobs

Overview

Open roles22
Top employerFarnsworth
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring13
Work type45% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 22+ Mechanical Project Engineer jobs

Exentec
Project Engineer - Mechanical - QC/W
We won't show you this job again
Exentec
Added 1w ago
Project Engineer - Mechanical - QC/W
Exentec
Kankakee, Illinois
Business Operations
Customer Service & Support
Logistics & Fleet Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in construction management
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

Exyte
Project Engineer - Mechanical - CUP
We won't show you this job again
Exyte
Added 1w ago
Project Engineer - Mechanical - CUP
Exyte
Kankakee, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
HVAC Technician
Maintenance & Repair
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's degree in construction management
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Exyte
Project Engineer - Mechanical - QC/W
We won't show you this job again
Exyte
Added 1w ago
Project Engineer - Mechanical - QC/W
Exyte
Kankakee, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
HVAC Technician
Maintenance & Repair
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's degree in construction management
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Carrier
Commercial HVAC Mechanical Project Manager
We won't show you this job again
Carrier
Added 1w ago
Commercial HVAC Mechanical Project Manager
Carrier
Willowbrook, Illinois
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$79k - $158k/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Formic
Mechanical Project Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Formic
Added 1w ago
Mechanical Project Engineer
Formic
Joliet, Illinois
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Success
$120k - $150k/yr
On-Site

Have you applied for this role?

See All 22 Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Jobs

Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
8 jobs
Kankakee
3 jobs
Troy
1 job
Alsip
1 job
Lisle
1 job
Joliet
1 job
Normal
1 job
Peoria
1 job
Lombard
1 job

Mechanical Project Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

Farnsworth
Farnsworth4 open roles
Exyte
Exyte2 open roles
Stantec
Stantec2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Investment & Asset Management

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, Exyte, and Stantec, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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, Kankakee, 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 55% of mechanical project engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 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 22 Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Jobs