R D Engineer Jobs in Illinois

R D Engineer jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, concentrated in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and defense technology, with openings at every level from junior research roles through senior principal engineers. Chicago and its northwest suburbs lead hiring, while Peoria and Rockford anchor manufacturing-heavy corridors where companies like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Motorola Solutions maintain substantial R&D operations. Embedded systems, materials science, and product development engineering are among the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles90
Top employerKraft Heinz
Top cityGlenview, IL
Cities hiring33
Work type74% Hybrid
Top industryFood

Showing 5 of 90+ R D Engineer jobs

AbbVie
Finance Lead, Global R&D Study Forecasting
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AbbVie
New 11h ago
Finance Lead, Global R&D Study Forecasting
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Data Analytics
Data Science
$97k - $184k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

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AbbVie
Senior Analyst, Global R&D Study Forecasting
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AbbVie
New 11h ago
Senior Analyst, Global R&D Study Forecasting
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Data Analytics
Data Science
$79k - $141k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in finance
10,000+

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MEDS
R&D Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist
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MEDS
Added 1d ago
R&D Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist
MEDS
Elmhurst, Illinois
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
Bachelor of Science
11-50

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Kraft Heinz
Scientist, R&D - Product Dev
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Kraft Heinz
Added 1d ago
Scientist, R&D - Product Dev
Kraft Heinz
Glenview, Illinois
Communications
Content & Communications
Public Relations (PR)
$78k - $97k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in food science
10,000+

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Kraft Heinz
Principal Scientist, R&D - Knowledge & Information Excellence
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Kraft Heinz
Added 2d ago
Principal Scientist, R&D - Knowledge & Information Excellence
Kraft Heinz
Glenview, Illinois
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$104k - $130k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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See All 90 R D Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

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R D Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Glenview
29 jobs
North Chicago
12 jobs
Chicago
11 jobs
Lisle
3 jobs
Libertyville
3 jobs
Dakota
2 jobs
N Barrington
2 jobs
Niles
1 job
Geneva
1 job

R D Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

  • Kraft Heinz
    Kraft Heinz29
  • AbbVie
    AbbVie12
  • EY
    EY3
  • Hollister Incorporated
    Hollister Incorporated3
  • International
    International2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Food & Beverage
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical Devices
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Manufacturing

What Illinois Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, materials science, or a closely related field
  • Experience with product development lifecycle from concept through design validation
  • Proficiency in CAD software, simulation tools, or laboratory instrumentation relevant to the specialty
  • Demonstrated ability to design and execute controlled experiments and analyze results
  • Familiarity with industry standards such as ISO, ASTM, or IEC applicable to the employer's sector
  • Strong technical documentation skills for test reports, patents, and design specifications

R D Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a r d engineer in Illinois?

Most r d engineer roles in Illinois require at minimum a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited program, with a master's degree preferred at larger research-focused employers. Illinois does not require a state license specifically for R&D roles, though engineers who sign off on public-facing designs may need a Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Building a portfolio of project work or laboratory research strengthens early-career applications significantly.

Which companies hire r d engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring r d engineers in Illinois right now include Kraft Heinz, AbbVie, and EY, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of manufacturing headquarters, medical device firms, and defense contractors means sustained demand across both corporate R&D centers and specialized engineering divisions.

Which Illinois cities have the most r d engineer jobs?

Glenview, North Chicago, and Chicago have the most r d engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago and its suburban ring, including Deerfield, Abbott Park, and Schaumburg, dominate because major corporate R&D campuses for life sciences, electronics, and industrial equipment firms are headquartered there, while Peoria draws heavily from Caterpillar's global engineering operations.

Are there remote r d engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. R&D engineering is heavily hands-on, involving laboratory work, prototype builds, and equipment testing that can't be done remotely. About 80% of r d engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to cover the modeling, simulation, data analysis, or technical writing components of the research cycle rather than bench work.

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

The most realistic entry path is a cooperative education placement or internship with one of Illinois's major manufacturing or life sciences employers while still completing a degree. Companies like Abbott, Motorola Solutions, and Caterpillar run structured new-graduate and rotational engineering programs that move candidates directly into junior R&D roles. Candidates transitioning from adjacent positions in quality engineering, test engineering, or laboratory technician work are also commonly considered, especially when they hold a relevant degree or a certification in a specialty such as Six Sigma or materials testing.

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

You can find and apply to r d engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 90 R D Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find R D Engineer Jobs