Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Systems Engineer jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, with demand concentrated in aerospace and defense, information technology, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing across experience levels from entry-level associate engineer through senior systems architect. Chicago, Rockford, and the suburban Chicagoland corridor around Schaumburg and Naperville are the primary hiring hubs, where employers like Boeing, Motorola Solutions, and Caterpillar maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings include embedded systems, network systems engineering, and defense systems integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles81
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring40
Work type49% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 81+ Systems Engineer jobs

Siemens
IT/OT Systems Engineer
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Siemens
New 4h ago
IT/OT Systems Engineer
Siemens
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Business Analysis
Data Analytics
Data Science
$92k - $158k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Caterpillar
Control Systems Senior Engineer
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Caterpillar
New 12h ago
Control Systems Senior Engineer
Caterpillar
Mossville, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$113k - $169k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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RFA Engineering
Systems Engineer
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RFA Engineering
New 17h ago
Systems Engineer
RFA Engineering
Chillicothe, Illinois
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
$90k - $110k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
201-500

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MAGNAFLUX
Global Infrastructure and Systems Engineer
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MAGNAFLUX
New 22h ago
Global Infrastructure and Systems Engineer
MAGNAFLUX
Glenview, Illinois
Cloud Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
201-500

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McHenry County College
Systems and Identity Services Engineer
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McHenry County College
Added 1d ago
Systems and Identity Services Engineer
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$71k.64 - $100k.08/yr
Bachelor's degree in computer information systems
501-1,000

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See All 81 Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

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Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Rolling Meadows
7 jobs
Peoria
5 jobs
Niles
4 jobs
Mossville
4 jobs
Chillicothe
4 jobs
Rockford
2 jobs
Lake Forest
2 jobs
Henry
1 job

Systems Engineer Job Market in Illinois

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

Who's Hiring

Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman6 open roles
Shure
Shure5 open roles
ARI
ARI2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Retail
  • Staffing & Recruiting
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What Illinois Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field
  • Experience with systems integration, requirements analysis, and lifecycle documentation
  • Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, SysML, or equivalent platforms
  • Familiarity with defense or aerospace standards including MIL-STD or DO-178 where applicable
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with hardware, software, and test engineering teams
  • Active or eligible security clearance preferred for defense-sector roles in Illinois

Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a systems engineer in Illinois?

A bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field is the standard entry point for Illinois employers. Illinois does not require a state-issued license specifically for systems engineers, though engineers who stamp public infrastructure designs may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Certifications such as INCOSE's Certified Systems Engineering Professional strengthen candidacy considerably in Illinois's defense and aerospace hiring markets.

Which companies hire systems engineers in Illinois?

Employers hiring systems engineers in Illinois right now include Northrop Grumman, Shure, and ARI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of defense contractors, telecommunications firms, and advanced manufacturing headquarters means openings appear across a wide range of company sizes and sectors throughout the Chicagoland region and beyond.

Which Illinois cities have the most systems engineer jobs?

Chicago, Rolling Meadows, and Peoria lead Illinois for systems engineer openings. Chicago anchors demand through its large corporate headquarters, technology companies, and federal contracting presence, while suburban centers like Schaumburg and Naperville draw heavily from Motorola Solutions, Motorola Mobility, and the dense corridor of defense and IT firms clustered along the I-90 and I-88 technology belts.

Are there remote systems engineer jobs in Illinois?

Yes, and more than many technical fields. About 51% of systems engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that much of the role centers on documentation, modeling, and cross-functional coordination that translates well to distributed work. Hands-on integration, lab testing, and classified defense programs are the segments most likely to require on-site presence in Illinois.

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

The most realistic entry path is a rotational or associate engineer program at one of Illinois's large defense or technology employers. Boeing and Motorola Solutions run structured early-career engineering programs that place candidates without prior professional experience into project rotations. Adjacent roles such as systems technician, quality assurance engineer, or IT infrastructure analyst at Illinois manufacturers or telecommunications firms are strong lateral starting points. Completing an INCOSE student membership, building a portfolio of documented systems projects, or earning a relevant certification like CompTIA Network+ noticeably strengthens applications for junior-level openings.

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

You can find and apply to systems 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 81 Systems Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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

Find Systems Engineer Jobs