Chicago Department of Aviation - Mechanical Engineer IV

Number of positions: 1 (additional vacancies possible pending budget approval). Starting salary: $99,408.00. Applications accepted until 11:59pm CDT on August 3, 2026. This position is covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME – Bargaining Unit 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only current City employees in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

About the role

This career-service position is located at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 10510 W. Zemke Road. Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Responsibilities

• Review project deliverables throughout the project lifecycle, including drawings, reports, calculations, and specifications.
• Provide analysis, recommendations, and comments aligned with codes, standards, emerging technology, and industry best practices.
• Act as owner/client-side project manager: administer and oversee project activities, coordinate and communicate with all project stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
• Exercise engineering judgment: respond to technical questions, RFIs, and provide clarifications or recommendations to stakeholders using technical knowledge and external research.
• Review responses to RFPs and RFQs in support of procurement activities; create associated project deliverables as required.
• Manage entities contracted to the city in architecture, engineering, and construction: select consultants, designers, and professional services; monitor contracted activities, deliverables, adherence, and performance.
• Perform additional administrative functions to support the technical and operational functions of the Development bureau as assigned by senior management.
• Additional duties as required.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a directly related field of engineering, plus two (2) years of mechanical engineering work experience.
• Alternatively, graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a directly related field of engineering, plus one (1) year of mechanical engineering work experience.
• Valid State of Illinois driver’s license.
• Must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment.

Selection process

This position requires an interview. Interviewed bidders will be selected based on seniority and according to the collective bargaining agreement rules. Interviewed non-bidders possessing the qualifications best suited to the role will be selected.