Research Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is a strong market for research engineer roles, with major employers concentrated in Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and the broader Chicagoland tech and life sciences corridor. Companies like Motorola Solutions, Abbott, and Argonne National Laboratory, along with university-affiliated research programs at the University of Illinois and Northwestern, regularly hire research engineers and have established visa sponsorship track records.
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INTRODUCTION
The Engineer develops and applies modeling, analysis, and conceptual process designs for electrochemical energy storage systems and related chemical processes. This role builds physics-based electrochemical, process, and plant-scale models and integrates them with techno-economic analysis (TEA) to guide R&D priorities, evaluate scale-up pathways, and inform programmatic decisions. The engineer communicates results to internal teams and external sponsors, translating modeling insights into actionable technology development strategies. The position emphasizes development and expansion of modeling tools to support sponsor needs, enhancement of existing model capabilities, and creation of new tools applicable to emerging energy storage pathways. The engineer works closely with collaborators across materials science, chemistry, mechanical/electrical engineering, and data science, connecting modeling efforts to experimental data generation and economic decision-making. The role also includes project leadership responsibilities, contribution to proposal concepts, and formation of teams to pursue new funding opportunities aligned with Argonne’s mission.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop, validate, and deploy physics-based electrochemical, chemical process, and plant models for energy storage technologies
- Conduct integrated TEA grounded in process models to quantify cost, performance, uncertainty, and R&D impact
- Integrate electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical sub models to support design decisions and scale-up assessments
- Expand and maintain modeling frameworks, including linkages between tools and integration with web-based platforms as needed
- Define technical problems and modeling strategies in collaboration with experimental and engineering partners; identify data needs and relevant experimental methods
- Deliver project milestones on schedule; document methods, assumptions, and results
- Present technical progress and findings to peers, sponsors, and stakeholders; support technology development roadmaps
- Provide project leadership, manage ongoing workstreams, and contribute to proposal development by identifying opportunities, shaping concepts, and building teams
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated experience modeling electrochemical and chemical processes for energy storage, including coupled electrochemical/thermal/mechanical modeling to inform design and scale-up
- Strong software and computing skills to connect models, automate workflows, and interface with web-based tools
- Proven ability to build production-quality process models for existing and novel processes and to conduct TEA based on those models
- Track record of identifying new research directions, developing competitive proposal ideas, and building productive relationships with DOE sponsors and/or industry partners
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills across diverse, multi-institution teams
- Proficiency with process modeling and TEA tools, Microsoft Excel, Python, and scientific programming
- Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork
- Bachelors and 5+ years of experience, Masters and 3+ years, or PhD and 0+ years, or equivalent
JOB FAMILY
Research Development (RD)
JOB PROFILE
Chemical Engineering 2
WORKER TYPE
Regular
TIME TYPE
Full time
COMPENSATION
- The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
Research Engineer Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Research Engineer Jobs in IllinoisResearch Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research engineers in Illinois?
Several Illinois employers have consistent H-1B visa sponsorship histories for research engineer roles. Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab sponsor international researchers in engineering and applied sciences. Abbott and Baxter sponsor research engineers in the medical device and life sciences space. Motorola Solutions, Zebra Technologies, and Boeing's Chicago-area operations also appear regularly in Department of Labor disclosure data for research engineering positions.
Which visa types are most common for research engineer roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research engineer roles in Illinois, as the position typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. Researchers at universities or national laboratories may also be eligible for J-1 visa exchange visitor status. Candidates with exceptional publication records or significant research contributions may qualify for the O-1A visa.
Which cities in Illinois have the most research engineer sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the largest share of research engineer sponsorship activity in Illinois, driven by its concentration of technology, biotech, and manufacturing employers. Urbana-Champaign is a secondary hub, closely tied to the University of Illinois research ecosystem and its affiliated spin-outs. The Chicagoland suburbs, including Deerfield, Waukegan, and Schaumburg, also have notable employer density in life sciences and electronics.
How to find research engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it easier to identify research engineer openings in Illinois without manually screening each employer. You can narrow results by location and role to surface relevant positions at companies with established sponsorship track records. This is especially useful for research engineering, where sponsorship willingness varies significantly by employer type, from national labs to private tech firms.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for research engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
Illinois has a strong pipeline of international research engineering talent through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Employers in the state are generally familiar with F-1 OPT-to-H-1B transitions for this reason. National laboratory positions at Argonne and Fermilab may involve security clearance requirements, which can affect sponsorship timelines and eligibility depending on the applicant's country of origin.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research engineer jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.