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Assistant Programmer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

CNA

Senior AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Preferred experience with background as SDET or deep experience with Testing tools like Playwright ...

Cna

Senior AI Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$126K - $166K/yr

At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something ... Preferred experience with background as SDET or deep experience with Testing tools like Playwright ...

ABM Industries

Assistant Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$29.93/hr

Mon-Fri 7-3:30 Responsibilities * Assist in Maintenance Activities: Support the engineering team in conducting preventive maintenance tasks on HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing fixtures, and ...

HHM Hotels

Assistant Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Assistant Engineer Perform preventative and repair maintenance work to ensure hotel is maintained according to established quality and sustainability standards. Potential Career Path Assistant Chief ...

Belmont Village

Building Engineer Assistant

Oak Park, IL · On-site

$20/hr

Building Engineer Assistants have knowledge and prior hands-on experience in the areas of general maintenance, basic plumbing, dry wall patching and painting. The ideal candidate is reliable, takes ...

Orvix Engineering

Administrative Assistant

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21 - $26/hr

Experience within an engineering or technical setting is preferred, but not mandatory. Key ... * Assist in maintaining and organizing physical and electronic filing systems for projects ...

Thermon

Programmer

Franklin Park, IL

... Assist the Electrical Engineers and Managers with various tasks as needed. · Performs other duties as assigned. The above are considered essential duties and are illustrative of those job tasks ...

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Assistant Programmer information

See Illinois salary details

$11

$38

$66

How much do assistant programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant programmer in Illinois is $38.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.90 and $49.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Programmer, you need foundational knowledge in programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), software development fundamentals, and typically a degree or coursework in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), integrated development environments (IDEs), and debugging tools is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with team members and deliver quality code. These skills and qualities are crucial for efficiently supporting software projects and ensuring reliable, maintainable applications.

What are Assistant Programmers?

Assistant Programmers are entry-level professionals who support the development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. They typically work under the supervision of senior programmers or software engineers, helping to write code, debug programs, and document software processes. Their main role is to assist with routine programming tasks and learn industry best practices, making this position a common starting point for a career in software development.

Is AI replacing coders?

Assistant programmers and other coding professionals use AI tools to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency, but AI currently serves as a supplement rather than a replacement for human coders. Skilled programmers are needed to design, oversee, and interpret AI-generated code, ensuring quality and security in software development.

What is an assistant programmer?

An assistant programmer is a support role in software development, helping senior programmers with coding, debugging, and testing tasks. They often have basic programming skills in languages like Java, Python, or C++ and work under supervision to gain experience and develop their technical abilities.

What are some typical challenges faced by Assistant Programmers when joining a new development team?

Assistant Programmers often encounter challenges such as adapting to the team's coding standards, learning new tools or frameworks, and understanding the existing codebase. It can also be a learning curve to effectively communicate with senior developers and contribute to collaborative projects. However, most teams provide mentorship, documentation, and code reviews to help new team members integrate smoothly and build confidence in their technical and interpersonal skills.

What's the average salary of a programmer?

The average salary of a programmer varies depending on experience, location, and specialization, but generally ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually. Entry-level programmers typically earn lower salaries, while experienced developers with skills in specific programming languages or tools can earn higher wages.

Is 27 too late to start coding?

Assistant programmers can start coding at any age, and many successful developers begin in their late twenties or later. Learning programming languages, building projects, and gaining experience are more important than age, and the tech industry values skills and problem-solving ability over age barriers.

What is the difference between Assistant Programmer vs Junior Developer?

AspectAssistant ProgrammerJunior Developer
Required CredentialsTypically an associate degree or diploma in computer science or related fieldSimilar, often an entry-level role with comparable educational background
Work EnvironmentSupportive team, assisting senior programmers in coding and testingHands-on coding, debugging, and developing software applications
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in IT firms, software companies, and tech departmentsUsed across similar industries, often interchangeable with Assistant Programmer in job listings

In summary, Assistant Programmers and Junior Developers share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. The main difference lies in their roles: Assistant Programmers typically support and assist senior staff, while Junior Developers are more involved in actual coding and development tasks. Both positions serve as entry points into the software development industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Programmer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Programmer jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Assistant Programmer jobs in Illinois? For Assistant Programmer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant Programmer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant Programmer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Assistant Programmer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Assistant Programmer job openings:
Assistant Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Programmer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,687 per year, or $38.3 per hour.
Senior AI Engineer

Senior AI Engineer

CNA

Chicago, IL • On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
Individual contributor with experience of AI native platform development and responsible for platform adoption across a CNA engineering community.
This role requires expertise in systems analysis and design, application development and/or integration, and testing of complex systems applications to support CNA engineering team needs. Providing guidance to others informally and formally leads teams on a project and/or program. The focus of this position will be leading, architecting, designing, developing, or integrating AI based engineering platforms applications in existing development and testing workflows. Preferred experience with background as SDET or deep experience with Testing tools like Playwright or Cypress etc.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:
  • Lead the architecture, design, development, and integration of AI-based engineering platforms, applications, agents, and skills that support software delivery and improve developer productivity.

  • Drive adoption of AI-enabled development platforms across the engineering community by embedding capabilities by doing road show, COPs and Demo sessions.

  • Provide technical leadership and consultation to engineering teams on AI solution design, application integration, prompt and workflow patterns, and secure, scalable implementation approaches.

  • Design and implement robust testing and validation approaches for AI-enabled applications and platforms, including automated testing, quality assurance, and integration into CI/CD pipelines.

  • Research, evaluate, and recommend AI tools, frameworks, models, and platform capabilities to determine the most effective and cost-efficient solutions for business and engineering needs.

  • Collaborate with engineering, infrastructure, security, testing, and external partners to align requirements, integrate solutions, and ensure successful delivery of AI platform capabilities.

  • Contribute to AI engineering strategy, architecture direction, governance, and best practices, including reusable patterns for platform development, integration, observability, and supportability.

  • Support deployment, monitoring, issue resolution, and ongoing enhancement of AI-based applications and platforms in test and production environments to ensure reliability, performance, and continuous improvement.

May perform additional duties as assigned.
Reporting Relationship
Typically Director or above
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
  • Solid knowledge of use of AI native development tools e.g. Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, and MCPs.

  • Solid technical skills for developing AI based platforms/apps/agents/skills etc.

  • Experience with development of EVALs and Observability platforms for AI native solutions

  • Experienced in AI model development and app design, specifically Vertex AI.

  • Experience with RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipeline architecture and development

  • Solid technical knowledge of high-level programming languages like Python and/or Typescript, Java, JavaScript,

  • Solid technical knowledge of high-level programming languages, databases, interfaces, and familiarity with application program development alternatives.

  • Advanced knowledge in designing and building Integration platforms, APIs and Webservices.

  • Working knowledge of different versions of Dev tools like VS Code or JetBrains IDEs; Git and GitHub; npm/yarn, pip, and/or maven/gradle; docker - 5+ years of experience.

  • Good experience in development of AI native system development life cycle, and application program development technological alternatives.

  • Proven understanding of state-of-the-art application development support software packages,

  • proficiency in at least one higher level programming language.

  • Proven solid analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with peers, IT management and staff, and internal/external business partners/clients.

  • Ability to manage projects, lead teams, and mentor individuals.

  • Preferred insurance industry knowledge.

  • Preferred experience with React or other front-end frameworks.

  • Preferred experience as an SDET or deep knowledge of test automation tools like Playwright, Cypress

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
  • Typically a minimum of seven years of systems analysis and application program development experience.
  • Some previous project leadership experience.
  • Applicable certifications preferred.

#LI-KJ1 #LI-HYBRID
In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $72,000 to $141,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.
CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.
CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com

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