Early Career Engineer

Department: Community Infrastructure

Location: Chicago, IL

Compensation: $65,000 - $95,000 / year

Description

Early Career Engineer
Multiple Positions – Civil, Municipal, Transportation Engineering & Project Controls

Position Type: Full-Time | On-Site/Hybrid

Locations: Detroit, Cleveland, Maumee, Chicago, Champaign, Rockford, Freeport, Rochelle, Schaumburg, Aurora, New York, New Jersey / East Berlin, Belleville, Hartford, Providence, Boston

About This Opportunity
We are seeking talented early-career engineers to join our growing team across multiple locations and service lines. This is your opportunity to launch your engineering career with mentorship from experienced professionals, real-world project experience, and a clear path for professional growth. We're looking for passionate individuals with 0–4 years of experience in:

• Civil Engineering
• Municipal Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Junior Planners
• Project Controls

And we're backing that growth with more than good intentions: eligible roles come with a guaranteed seat in Blueprint, our new early career leadership program. Over six months, you'll build professional development, business acumen, and project delivery skills through real case studies, simulations, and role-play — not passive lectures — culminating in an in-person capstone event where you'll present your work and map out your goals for the year ahead. Your Future Starts With A Plan.

What You'll Do

• Support project development from concept through completion
• Prepare technical drawings, specifications, and documentation
• Assist in field inspections, surveying, and site investigations
• Work with design software (AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, GIS tools)
• Collaborate with senior engineers, clients, and contractors
• Participate in planning studies, feasibility analyses, and permit applications
• Track project schedules, budgets, and resource allocation (for Project Controls roles)
  
  

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, or a related field
• 0–4 years of relevant experience (recent graduates welcome)
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and design/analysis software
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications

Preferred:

• Experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or similar design software
• Familiarity with GIS, Revit, or construction management software
• Project site experience and knowledge of construction processes
• Understanding of municipal codes, regulations, and permitting processes
• EIT (Engineer in Training) certification or active pursuit of PE licensure

What We Offer

• A guaranteed seat in Blueprint for eligible roles — six months of hands-on leadership development, capped with an in-person capstone event
• Mentorship from licensed engineers with decades of experience
• Professional development support and PE exam study resources
• Exposure to diverse project types across municipal, transportation, and civil sectors
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Health insurance, 401(k), paid time off, and continuing education
• Flexible work arrangements and a collaborative team environment
  
  

About Trilon

Trilon was formed with the vision of building the next Top 20 infrastructure consulting firm in North America by bringing together some of the nation’s best infrastructure consulting firms, focused on delivering practical and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Trilon is backed by Alpine Investors, a PeopleFirst Private Equity Firm. Trilon currently comprises 5,500+ staff across the US. For more information, visit www.trilon.com.

Pay Transparency
The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company’s good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.