Transportation Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Transportation Engineer jobs in Illinois represent one of the Midwest's most active hiring markets, concentrated in infrastructure planning, traffic systems, and multimodal transit across both public agencies and private consulting firms, with openings at every level from entry-level project assistant through senior design engineer. The heaviest demand sits in the Chicago metropolitan area, followed by activity in Springfield and Peoria, where firms like AECOM, WSP, and the Illinois Department of Transportation maintain substantial operations. Structural design, traffic operations, and transportation planning are consistently the most sought-after specialties across Illinois listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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M3 Engineering Group is seeking a Civil / Transportation Engineer to join our growing Chicago office. This is a technical role with considerable latitude for someone who wants to apply civil engineering and transportation background across a wide range of projects – and play a significant role in the continued growth of M3's Chicago presence.
Current work is focused primarily on drainage and hydraulics aspects of transportation design. However, we are also looking to expand our traditional roadway design capabilities, making this an opportunity for an engineer with roadway experience to put that background to work while helping M3 pursue and deliver future transportation projects.
What You'll Do
At M3, our engineers are involved in projects from beginning to end. You will have the opportunity to contribute to and take ownership of work including:
- Perform and support stormwater drainage and hydraulic design for transportation projects
- Design and develop greenways, trails, sidewalks, and other pedestrian and bicycle facilities
- Lead the technical development of traditional roadway design, including roadway geometry, grading, drainage, and plan development
- Prepare plans, specifications, calculations, reports, and other technical deliverables
- Permitting and coordination with regulatory agencies
- Apply engineering judgment to solve project-specific design and technical challenges
- Coordinate with clients, utilities, agencies, and other project stakeholders
- Support M3's continued growth in transportation and civil infrastructure work
- Help expand M3's presence and project opportunities in the Chicago market
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can take ownership of technical assignments while working closely with project managers, clients, and other members of the M3 team. We're especially interested in engineers who bring a combination of transportation design and water resources experience. Basic requirements include:
- B.S. in Civil Engineering or a related field
- PE license in Illinois and Missouri, or the ability to obtain
- A background in transportation, civil infrastructure, water resources, or a combination of these areas with experience delivering civil or water resources projects through multiple phases of design and implementation
- The ability to work independently, organize priorities, and take ownership of assignments while knowing when to collaborate and ask questions
- Willingness to tackle new challenges on a variety of projects
- Willingness to take work remotely from M3’s main St. Louis office
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong experience with design software, including
- OpenRoads Designer
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- HEC-RAS
- HydroCAD
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel regionally for project-related activities
Why M3
M3 is a growing civil engineering firm where staff has the opportunity to do meaningful work. You’ll have direct access to company leadership, considerable freedom in how you approach your work, and the trust to take ownership of your responsibilities. Our project work spans transportation, water resources, stream restoration, asset management, and construction management, giving our engineers exposure to a variety of technical challenges.
For someone interested in growing their career, this position offers unusual room for professional development. As M3 expands its transportation practice and continues to build its Chicago presence, there is an opportunity to take on increasingly significant technical, client, and business responsibilities.
M3 offers a collaborative environment, professional trust, and a healthy work-life balance while maintaining a strong focus on technical quality.
The Chicago Office
M3's Chicago office is located in the heart of the Loop, one of the city's most accessible and vibrant business districts.
This position can be in-office, fully remote within the local Chicago area, or hybrid, depending on your preferences.
Most projects are regional, with travel generally taking place during regular business hours. Occasional overnight travel may be required.
Join M3
If you're looking for a civil and transportation engineering role where you can use your existing technical skills, broaden your experience, and have a meaningful role in building both a transportation practice and a growing Chicago market, we'd like to hear from you. Submit your resume to careers@m3eg.com.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
License/Certification:
- Professional Engineering License (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60601
See All 56 Transportation Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Engineer JobsTransportation Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transportation Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Baxter & Woodman13

- Horner & Shifrin6

- EFK Moen4
- Chastain & Associates3

- Bowman2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Construction & Real Estate3
- Staffing & Recruiting1
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transportation engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Illinois Professional Engineer license or active EIT registration toward licensure required
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering with a transportation or infrastructure concentration
- Proficiency in transportation modeling software such as Synchro, VISSIM, or HCS
- Experience preparing or reviewing IDOT-compliant plans, specifications, and estimates
- Familiarity with federal and Illinois state transportation design standards and guidelines
- Strong technical writing skills for reports, permit applications, and agency submissions
Transportation Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transportation engineer in Illinois?
To become a transportation engineer in Illinois, you need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn an Engineer Intern designation through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. After gaining qualifying experience under a licensed Professional Engineer, you take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam to earn full PE licensure in Illinois, which most public agencies and consulting firms require for senior responsibilities.
How much do transportation engineers make in Illinois?
Transportation 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 transportation engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring transportation engineers in Illinois right now include Baxter & Woodman, Horner & Shifrin, and EFK Moen, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's mix of large metropolitan infrastructure projects and statewide IDOT programs keeps a broad range of consulting firms and public sector agencies hiring consistently throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most transportation engineer jobs?
The Illinois cities with the most transportation engineer openings are Chicago, Aurora, and Peoria Heights. Chicago dominates because of its scale of transit, freight, and highway infrastructure, while Springfield draws demand through state agency headquarters and Peoria through regional consulting firms and Illinois Department of Transportation district offices that serve central Illinois project work.
Are there remote transportation engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're limited. Transportation engineering involves field reviews, site inspections, and agency coordination that typically require in-person presence. About 72% of transportation engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that most roles are site- or office-based. The tasks most suited to remote work include traffic data analysis, report writing, and CAD drafting on projects that don't require active site access.
How can I get hired as a transportation engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior transportation engineer or EIT roles at Illinois consulting firms and state agencies that routinely hire new graduates from programs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Northwestern University. IDOT and large Chicago-area firms like AECOM and WSP run structured new-graduate onboarding programs. Candidates from adjacent roles such as civil drafter, GIS technician, or traffic analyst have also moved into transportation engineering positions, and completing your FE exam before applying gives you a measurable edge in every Illinois application.
Where can I find and apply to transportation engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to transportation engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across consulting firms, public agencies, and private sector employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 56 Transportation Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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