Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Operations Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in manufacturing, logistics, energy, and technology infrastructure, with openings at every level from entry-level associates through senior principal engineers. Chicago anchors the market, while Rockford and Peoria round out the key hiring centers, supported by major employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Exelon that maintain large and lasting operations footprints across the state. Process optimization, supply chain operations, and reliability engineering are the most sought-after specialties in current Illinois postings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles37
Top employerInvenergy
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring12
Work type73% Hybrid
Top industryRetail

Showing 5 of 37+ Operations Engineer jobs

Invenergy
Solar Asset Performance Engineer I, Operations Engineering
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Invenergy
Added 3d ago
Solar Asset Performance Engineer I, Operations Engineering
Invenergy
Chicago, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Engineering (Non-Software)
Research & Academia
Software Engineering
$70k - $95k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Invenergy
Wind Asset Performance Engineer I, Operations Engineering
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Invenergy
Added 3d ago
Wind Asset Performance Engineer I, Operations Engineering
Invenergy
Chicago, Illinois
Biotech & Life Sciences
Engineering (Non-Software)
Research & Academia
Software Engineering
$70k - $95k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Intercontinental Exchange
Engineer, Data Center Operations
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Intercontinental Exchange
Added 3d ago
Engineer, Data Center Operations
Intercontinental Exchange
Chicago, Illinois
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$74k - $105k/yr
Damaged goods handling
5,001-10,000

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The University of Chicago
Senior Dev Ops Engineer
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The University of Chicago
Added 4d ago
Senior Dev Ops Engineer
The University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Human Resources
$150k - $170k/yr
10,000+

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Atlas Fibre
CNC Operations Industrial Engineer, Lean Flow & SMED
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Atlas Fibre
Added 4d ago
CNC Operations Industrial Engineer, Lean Flow & SMED
Atlas Fibre
Northbrook, Illinois
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$80k - $110k/yr

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See All 37 Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

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Operations Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Northbrook
2 jobs
Bolingbrook
2 jobs
Springfield
2 jobs
Rolling Meadows
2 jobs
Joliet
1 job
Lemont
1 job
Rockford
1 job
Buffalo Grove
1 job

Operations Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

Invenergy
Invenergy6 open roles
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman2 open roles
State of Illinois
State of Illinois2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Retail
  • Technology & Software

What Illinois Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or systems engineering from an accredited institution
  • Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation preferred for senior roles
  • Proven experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies in a manufacturing or logistics environment
  • Proficiency with ERP platforms such as SAP or Oracle and operational data analysis tools
  • Ability to develop and monitor KPIs, process documentation, and standard operating procedures
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills for working with production, supply chain, and quality teams

Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a operations engineer in Illinois?

Most operations engineer roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or systems engineering. Senior and government-adjacent positions may require licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which involves passing the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering exams. Many candidates also strengthen their profile with a Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification, which Illinois manufacturers and logistics firms value consistently.

Which companies hire operations engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring operations engineers in Illinois right now include Invenergy, Northrop Grumman, and State of Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base and its concentration of logistics hubs near Chicago O'Hare and along the I-80 corridor mean that both large multinationals and regional firms post operations engineer openings year-round.

Which Illinois cities have the most operations engineer jobs?

Chicago, Northbrook, and Bolingbrook are the cities with the most operations engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its density of corporate headquarters, major distribution centers, and technology operations firms, while Rockford and Peoria are driven by large manufacturing employers such as Caterpillar and the aerospace and precision-parts suppliers clustered in those regions.

Are there remote operations engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're limited. Operations engineering is largely a hands-on, plant-floor or facility-based discipline, which keeps most roles on-site. About 93% of operations engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in process improvement analysis, systems integration oversight, and operational reporting functions that can be performed off-site.

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

The most realistic entry path is through a manufacturing or operations rotational program at one of Illinois's large employers. Caterpillar runs a well-known Operations Leadership Development Program, and Abbott Laboratories offers engineering associate tracks that accept recent graduates. Candidates who have worked as production technicians, quality analysts, or logistics coordinators frequently transition into junior operations engineer roles. Completing a Lean Six Sigma White or Yellow Belt certification gives applicants in Illinois a concrete credential that stands out against other entry-level candidates.

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

You can find and apply to operations engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 37 Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Operations Engineer Jobs