It’s a misnomer that the only, or even the best cleared job options are on the coasts. If you’re angling for a cleared position in the Midwest, Chicago has a number of options. Major defense contractors from Northrop Grumman to CACI have job listings in Chicago, and government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, and FBI.
Chicago probably doesn’t come to mind as a defense industry hub – and that’s because it isn’t. Chicago was a city built on trade and infrastructure, not by a military presence. That said, Illinois is home to several military installations, and Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) is located just outside of Chicago. NSGL is home to the Navy’s only bootcamp and more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers, and Department of Defense civilians. A number of defense industry cleared positions are available in the Chicago metro to support NSGL’s training mission, simulations, mission support, cybersecurity, and more.
But while cleared professionals may be trained to look for their career opportunities around military epicenters, it’s important to keep in mind there are a number of non-DoD cleared positions that need to be filled, or even defense industry positions located away from military installations. Like most major cities, one of the biggest benefits of working in Chicago is the diversity in employment prospects – from manufacturing to finance, communications and infrastructure, you’ll find a diversity of options in the Windy City.
Benefits of Working in the Windy City
Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest. If you’re looking to be away from the coasts or closer to family in the Heartland, Chicago can be a great option. Chicago offers the benefits of a big city, like great restaurants, museums, and nightlife, along with 26 miles of sandy beaches, thanks to Lake Michigan. If you’ve been binging The Last Dance recently, maybe you’re feeling nostalgic for Chicago’s legendary sports teams – notable for their successes (the Bulls), and losses (the Bears).
When you look at the figures, the cost of living in Chicago is lower than average when you consider that it’s the third-largest city in the U.S. Schools rank lower than average, although like most major metros there are good schools out there if you consider your neighborhood carefully. A number of cleared job opportunities are available in suburbs outside of Chicago, however, and the various neighborhoods and communities surrounding the city have a dynamic all their own.
Chicago’s Top Industries and Hot Jobs
Infrastructure and telecommunications are key industries in Chicago. If you have military logistics experience or a passion for cleared import/export work, there are openings in Chicago. Network field operators keep telecommunications secure. Data engineers and cybersecurity professionals build C4ISR technology.
In 2018, Northrop Grumman built a new 40,000 facility in Rolling Meadows, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The facility is for the company’s land and avionics C4ISR division and was designed to increase the company footprint in the Chicago region.
Chicago 411
| Population | 8,865,000 (metro area); 2,694,236 in the city (3rd largest U.S. city) |
|---|---|
| Typical Weather | Cold winters; warm summers. Spring and fall are typically moderate and pleasant. |
| Cleared Employers to Watch | Northrop Grumman, CACI |
| Highlighted Job | Cleared Swim Instructors. Yep, you read that right. As the location of the Navy’s only boot camp, NSGL has contract openings for cleared trainors/swim instructors. |
