Structural Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Structural Project Engineer jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with active hiring concentrated in commercial construction, transportation infrastructure, and industrial development at levels from early-career through senior project lead. Chicago drives the bulk of openings, with additional activity in Peoria and Rockford, where firms like Thornton Tomasetti, AECOM, and Burns & McDonnell maintain Illinois offices and regularly recruit for structural roles. The most sought-after specialties in the state include bridge and highway structures, high-rise commercial framing, and industrial facility design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Structural Project Engineer jobs
INTRODUCTION
We're partnered with a well-established structural engineering firm to grow their team. The firm has been in business for more than 25 years, founded on the principle that good structural design protects lives, property, and commerce. Since then they've completed over 5,000 projects across multiple U.S. offices, with engineers licensed in 44 states and international partner offices abroad, and they're continuing to expand. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer ready to step into a project leadership role.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Building on a foundation of strong engineering fundamentals and hands-on design experience, the Project Engineer directs junior staff, coordinates across disciplines, and takes on increasing responsibility for client communication and project delivery. Working closely with Senior Associates, Associates, and Senior Project Engineers, the PE develops the skills and relationships to grow into a more senior leadership role at the firm.
The firm's portfolio leans heavily into mission-critical and data center work (more than 1,500 data center projects to date), alongside life sciences, healthcare, aviation, and seismic retrofits. They deliberately cross-pollinate engineers across sectors, so you'll build technical depth across seismic design, lateral systems, and some of the most demanding mission-critical work in the industry. They pride themselves on going after the hard, technically interesting projects.
Qualifications
- BS in Civil/Structural Engineering (MS preferred)
- EIT required; PE highly recommended; SE preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in structural analysis and design, including preparing plans and detail drawings
- Proficiency in at least one structural material (wood, steel, concrete, or masonry)
- Experience with seismic design and at least two lateral system types
- Familiarity with ETABS, RISA, RAM, Enercalc, Revit, and MS Office
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
PERKS & BENEFITS
- 100% employer-paid health premiums
- Hybrid work schedule
- 401(k) with company match
- Access to a company-owned vacation condo at a ski resort
- A pipeline of technically challenging, high-profile projects
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
INTRODUCTION
We're partnered with a well-established structural engineering firm to grow their team. The firm has been in business for more than 25 years, founded on the principle that good structural design protects lives, property, and commerce. Since then they've completed over 5,000 projects across multiple U.S. offices, with engineers licensed in 44 states and international partner offices abroad, and they're continuing to expand. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer ready to step into a project leadership role.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Building on a foundation of strong engineering fundamentals and hands-on design experience, the Project Engineer directs junior staff, coordinates across disciplines, and takes on increasing responsibility for client communication and project delivery. Working closely with Senior Associates, Associates, and Senior Project Engineers, the PE develops the skills and relationships to grow into a more senior leadership role at the firm.
The firm's portfolio leans heavily into mission-critical and data center work (more than 1,500 data center projects to date), alongside life sciences, healthcare, aviation, and seismic retrofits. They deliberately cross-pollinate engineers across sectors, so you'll build technical depth across seismic design, lateral systems, and some of the most demanding mission-critical work in the industry. They pride themselves on going after the hard, technically interesting projects.
Qualifications
- BS in Civil/Structural Engineering (MS preferred)
- EIT required; PE highly recommended; SE preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in structural analysis and design, including preparing plans and detail drawings
- Proficiency in at least one structural material (wood, steel, concrete, or masonry)
- Experience with seismic design and at least two lateral system types
- Familiarity with ETABS, RISA, RAM, Enercalc, Revit, and MS Office
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
PERKS & BENEFITS
- 100% employer-paid health premiums
- Hybrid work schedule
- 401(k) with company match
- Access to a company-owned vacation condo at a ski resort
- A pipeline of technically challenging, high-profile projects
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
See All 12 Structural Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsStructural Project Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Structural 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
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in structural project engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Engineer license or EIT certification with PE eligibility required
- Bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited program
- Proficiency in structural analysis software such as ETABS, SAP2000, or RISA
- Experience preparing and reviewing structural drawings, calculations, and project specifications
- Familiarity with IBC, ASCE 7, and ACI or AISC design standards applicable to Illinois projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with clients and contractors
Structural Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a structural project engineer in Illinois?
You become a structural project engineer in Illinois by earning a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to become an Engineer in Training. After gaining qualifying work experience, you sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam and obtain your Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Most Illinois employers expect a PE license or active progress toward it for project-level roles.
How much do structural project engineers make in Illinois?
Structural project engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $99,760 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,590 for the lowest 10% to over $157,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire structural project engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring structural project engineers in Illinois right now include Horner & Shifrin, Jobot, and Stantec, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's deep infrastructure investment and active commercial development in the Chicago metro mean engineering consultancies, construction managers, and public agencies consistently post openings throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most structural project engineer jobs?
The cities with the most structural project engineer openings in Illinois are Chicago, O'Fallon, and Gurnee. Chicago accounts for the largest share by far, driven by its concentration of major engineering consultancies, large-scale transit and infrastructure projects, and commercial high-rise development, while secondary markets like Peoria and Rockford attract openings tied to industrial facility work and regional transportation projects.
Are there remote structural project engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are uncommon. Structural project engineering involves site visits, coordination with contractors, and hands-on review of drawings and field conditions that make fully remote work difficult for most positions. About 43% of structural project engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. The portions of the role most suited to remote work include design calculations, report writing, and model review.
How can I get hired as a structural project engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a staff or junior structural engineer role at a mid-size Illinois consultancy while you work toward your EIT credential. Large Illinois employers like AECOM and Thornton Tomasetti run new-graduate programs that pair entry-level hires with licensed project engineers. Candidates coming from adjacent roles such as CAD technician, construction inspector, or civil engineering intern can transition into structural work by building a portfolio of structural calculations or coursework projects and targeting firms doing bridge, building, or infrastructure work in the Chicago metro and surrounding counties.
Where can I find and apply to structural project engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to structural project engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that match your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 12 Structural Project Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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