Principal Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Principal Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with the market concentrated in aerospace and defense, enterprise software, industrial manufacturing, and utilities infrastructure, drawing candidates at every level from associate principal through distinguished engineer. Chicago leads hiring volume, with Peoria and the broader Chicagoland suburbs also anchoring significant activity, and established employers such as Boeing, Caterpillar, and Motorola Solutions regularly seeking principal engineers across software, systems, and mechanical disciplines. The most consistently sought specialties are embedded systems engineering, cloud and platform architecture, and systems integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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As a Principal Chemical Engineer here at Honeywell, you will play a critical role in leading and driving chemical engineering excellence within the company.
You will report directly to our Chemical Eng Manager and you’ll work out of our Rosemont, IL location on a Hybrid work schedule.
In this role, you will impact the company's growth, competitiveness, and success in the market by driving technical excellence, innovation, leadership, collaboration, and safety in chemical engineering projects.
At Honeywell, our people leaders play a critical role in developing and supporting our employees to help them perform at their best and drive change across the company. Help to build a strong, diverse team by recruiting talent, identifying, and developing successors, driving retention and engagement, and fostering an inclusive culture
MUST HAVE
- Bachelor’s Degree in chemical engineering or equivalent
- 6+ years of chemical engineering experience
- Significant Schedule A experience (process and/or project) within refining, petrochemical or gas processing Proven Expertise in chemical engineering principles and practices
WE VALUE
- Strong knowledge of UOP refining, petrochemical or gas processing technologies
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Significant experience in UniSim and UOP SchA tools and applications
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and identify opportunities for development
- Comprehensive knowledge of the engineering work process and procedures
- Demonstrated ability to teach and coach early-career engineers Ability to function well within a team-based environment
BENEFITS FROM WORKING AT HONEYWELL
In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Honeywell employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays. Learn more (https://benefits.honeywell.com/)
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Job posted 09/25/2026.
The annual base salary range for this position is $156,000.00 - $196,000.00. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have asylum or refugee status in the U.S.
ABOUT HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGIES
Honeywell Technologies is a global, pure-play automation company with a legacy of innovating to help solve the world’s most mission-critical challenges, enhancing the quality of life for people and communities around the world. We serve the building, industrial, and process sectors with a broad portfolio of services, solutions, and products, underpinned by our Honeywell Technologies Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Technologies Forge intelligence layer. By combining the deep domain expertise of our more than 50,000 employees with decades of data from our global installed base, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industrial sector’s transition from automation to autonomy. Learn more (https://www.honeywell.com/us/en)
THE BUSINESS UNIT
Honeywell Process Technologies (PT) is a global leader in advanced process automation, control, and optimization solutions. The business unit focuses on delivering innovative technologies and services that improve safety, reliability, and efficiency for customers in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, and other process industries worldwide.
Honeywell is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status. Learn more (https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/inclusion-and-engagement)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Guide trainee engineers through project and process training problems
- Coach early career and experienced Chemical Engineering Trainees in technical and work process aspects of Schedule A execution
- Help trainees troubleshoot tool and design suite issues
- Provide feedback on trainee performance and promote development
- Own training infrastructure, tools, and documentation. Maintain pace with current practices
- Participate in scheduling activities and recommend appropriate assignments for trainees
- Support the broader engineering department with special projects
Honeywell Technologies is a global, pure-play automation company with a legacy of innovating to help solve the world’s most mission-critical challenges, enhancing the quality of life for people and communities around the world. We serve the building, industrial and process sectors with a broad portfolio of services, solutions and products, underpinned by our Honeywell Technologies Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Technologies Forge intelligence layer. By combining the deep domain expertise of our more than 50,000 employees with decades of data from our global installed base, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industrial sector’s transition from automation to autonomy.
As a Principal Chemical Engineer here at Honeywell, you will play a critical role in leading and driving chemical engineering excellence within the company.
You will report directly to our Chemical Eng Manager and you’ll work out of our Rosemont, IL location on a Hybrid work schedule.
In this role, you will impact the company's growth, competitiveness, and success in the market by driving technical excellence, innovation, leadership, collaboration, and safety in chemical engineering projects.
At Honeywell, our people leaders play a critical role in developing and supporting our employees to help them perform at their best and drive change across the company. Help to build a strong, diverse team by recruiting talent, identifying, and developing successors, driving retention and engagement, and fostering an inclusive culture
MUST HAVE
- Bachelor’s Degree in chemical engineering or equivalent
- 6+ years of chemical engineering experience
- Significant Schedule A experience (process and/or project) within refining, petrochemical or gas processing Proven Expertise in chemical engineering principles and practices
WE VALUE
- Strong knowledge of UOP refining, petrochemical or gas processing technologies
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Significant experience in UniSim and UOP SchA tools and applications
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and identify opportunities for development
- Comprehensive knowledge of the engineering work process and procedures
- Demonstrated ability to teach and coach early-career engineers Ability to function well within a team-based environment
BENEFITS FROM WORKING AT HONEYWELL
In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Honeywell employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays. Learn more (https://benefits.honeywell.com/)
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Job posted 09/25/2026.
The annual base salary range for this position is $156,000.00 - $196,000.00. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have asylum or refugee status in the U.S.
ABOUT HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGIES
Honeywell Technologies is a global, pure-play automation company with a legacy of innovating to help solve the world’s most mission-critical challenges, enhancing the quality of life for people and communities around the world. We serve the building, industrial, and process sectors with a broad portfolio of services, solutions, and products, underpinned by our Honeywell Technologies Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Technologies Forge intelligence layer. By combining the deep domain expertise of our more than 50,000 employees with decades of data from our global installed base, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industrial sector’s transition from automation to autonomy. Learn more (https://www.honeywell.com/us/en)
THE BUSINESS UNIT
Honeywell Process Technologies (PT) is a global leader in advanced process automation, control, and optimization solutions. The business unit focuses on delivering innovative technologies and services that improve safety, reliability, and efficiency for customers in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, and other process industries worldwide.
Honeywell is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status. Learn more (https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/inclusion-and-engagement)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Guide trainee engineers through project and process training problems
- Coach early career and experienced Chemical Engineering Trainees in technical and work process aspects of Schedule A execution
- Help trainees troubleshoot tool and design suite issues
- Provide feedback on trainee performance and promote development
- Own training infrastructure, tools, and documentation. Maintain pace with current practices
- Participate in scheduling activities and recommend appropriate assignments for trainees
- Support the broader engineering department with special projects
Honeywell Technologies is a global, pure-play automation company with a legacy of innovating to help solve the world’s most mission-critical challenges, enhancing the quality of life for people and communities around the world. We serve the building, industrial and process sectors with a broad portfolio of services, solutions and products, underpinned by our Honeywell Technologies Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Technologies Forge intelligence layer. By combining the deep domain expertise of our more than 50,000 employees with decades of data from our global installed base, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industrial sector’s transition from automation to autonomy.
See All 69 Principal Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman13
- UL Solutions5
- AbbVie4
- BMO Financial3
- Baxter2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Insurance
- Food & Beverage
- Medical Devices
- Staffing & Recruiting
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related field
- Ten or more years of progressive engineering experience with demonstrated technical leadership
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and setting architectural or design direction
- Deep expertise in at least one core discipline such as embedded systems, cloud infrastructure, or mechanical design
- Proven ability to define technical roadmaps and mentor senior and mid-level engineers
- Strong communication skills for presenting engineering decisions to executive and non-technical stakeholders
Principal Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal engineer in Illinois?
Most principal engineer roles in Illinois require a bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science plus many years of progressive technical experience, culminating in demonstrated leadership on large-scale projects. For roles in civil, structural, or mechanical disciplines where stamped drawings are required, Illinois requires licensure as a Professional Engineer through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Software and systems-focused principal engineer titles typically follow a company-defined career ladder rather than a state license.
Which companies hire principal engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring principal engineers in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, UL Solutions, and AbbVie, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of aerospace primes, industrial manufacturers, and enterprise technology firms means openings appear across both legacy engineering companies and fast-growing technology divisions headquartered in the Chicago metro.
Which Illinois cities have the most principal engineer jobs?
Chicago, Rolling Meadows, and Northbrook account for the largest share of principal engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its density of technology headquarters, defense contractors, and financial technology firms, while Peoria reflects Caterpillar's global engineering operations and the broader industrial manufacturing corridor in central Illinois.
Are there remote principal engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and they are more common than in most engineering disciplines. About 82% of principal engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the role centers on architecture reviews, design documentation, and cross-team coordination rather than hands-on lab or factory work. Platform, cloud, and software-focused principal engineer roles carry the highest rate of remote availability.
How can I get hired as a principal engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is starting in a senior or staff engineer role and building toward principal through internal promotion. Large Illinois employers such as Boeing in the Chicago suburbs and Caterpillar in Peoria run structured early-career engineering programs that place candidates on a defined advancement track. Earning a Professional Engineer license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation strengthens a candidacy for principal roles in civil and mechanical disciplines, while a strong technical portfolio or open-source contribution history helps for software and systems tracks.
Where can I find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to principal engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 69 Principal Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Engineer Jobs