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Associate Software Development Engineer Jobs in Illinois

SDET

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51.50 - $66.50/hr

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test Chicago, IL Who We Are: Northern Trust is a Chicago-based bank with more than 20 international locations and 16,500 employees. From sovereign wealth funds ...

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Associate Software Development Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$18

$40

$95

How much do associate software development engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate software development engineer in Illinois is $40.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.57 and $43.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate software development engineer?

Associate Software Development Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications. They typically work under the guidance of senior developers, contributing to coding, debugging, and documenting software projects. This role serves as a foundational position in a software engineering career, providing opportunities to learn industry best practices and collaborate with experienced team members. Associate Software Development Engineers often participate in code reviews, troubleshoot issues, and help ensure that software meets quality and performance standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate software development engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Software Development Engineer, you need a solid grasp of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), algorithms, and data structures, often supported by a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with integrated development environments (IDEs), version control systems like Git, and basic software development lifecycle methodologies is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, a willingness to learn, and effective teamwork set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are vital for building reliable software, adapting to evolving technologies, and collaborating in dynamic development teams.

What are some common challenges faced by associate software development engineers when joining a new team?

Associate Software Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to established codebases, understanding team workflows, and getting acquainted with company-specific development tools. It can take time to become comfortable with version control systems, code review processes, and agile methodologies commonly used by development teams. Building effective communication with senior engineers and learning to balance independent problem-solving with seeking guidance are also key aspects of the initial learning curve.

What is the difference between Associate Software Development Engineer vs Software Development Engineer?

AspectAssociate Software Development EngineerSoftware Development Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, some internshipsBachelor's or higher in CS, more experience preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, training programsMore complex projects, increased responsibility
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, large corporationsSame as Associate role, with more senior positions
Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level roles, career progressionMid-level roles, career growth

The main difference between an Associate Software Development Engineer and a Software Development Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. The Associate role is typically entry-level, focusing on learning and supporting projects, while the SDE has more experience and handles more complex tasks. Both roles are common in tech companies and serve as stepping stones in a software engineering career.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Associate Software Development Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Associate Software Development Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Software Development Engineer job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,117 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Diversified Services Network, Inc.
IT Services • 11 - 50 employees

$113K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Diversified Services Network, Inc. (DSN) is seeking a full-time Senior Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to join our team in Chicago, IL! We offer a hybrid work model, full benefits, PTO, 401k, and more! If you're looking to grow your technical career within an extremely reputable, stable Fortune 100 company - let's talk!

Position Overview

The Senior SDET will extend the team's testing automation framework using Java and JavaScript, taking ownership of understanding business requirements and acceptance criteria to develop test strategy and test plans. This role also develops automation test cases using the existing automation framework and provides technical leadership across multiple applications and projects.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop test automation code for Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) of systems, infrastructure, and the test framework.
  • Plan, design, develop, and maintain an API test automation framework that facilitates automation scripting, execution, and analysis of results.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentoring for test engineers across multiple applications/projects onshore and offshore; train and mentor project team members to create, execute, analyze, and maintain automated regression suites.
  • Coordinate with the product owner to resolve open issues, enhancements, and upgrades, and to understand the use of specific functionality as needed.
  • Develop automated functional scripts using tools such as Java, Karate, and JMeter.
  • Perform exploratory and manual testing of the product suite as appropriate.
  • Provide expertise in testing methodologies, best practices, and standards.

Team & Work Environment

  • Collaborates with a team of 20+ colleagues.
  • Hybrid position based out of the Chicago office requiring 2 days per week onsite starting day one; interviews may also be conducted onsite.

Requirements

Education & Experience

  • 9+ years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of experience.
  • At least 9 years of experience designing test automation frameworks.

Required Technical Skills

  • Strong design and development skills in two or more of the following: Java (5 years), Cucumber (3-5 years), JBehave, or other BDD testing frameworks.
  • Strong experience testing web services (REST APIs) (5 years).
  • Proven experience developing test scripts, test cases, and test data.
  • Ability to write queries in SQL or other relational databases.
  • Experience testing full stack and integration testing with third parties.
  • End-to-end system integration testing experience for software platforms.
  • Experience with TDD, continuous integration, and code review practices is strongly desired.
  • Experience with DevOps concepts and tools (e.g., CI/CD, Jenkins, Git).

Desired Technical Skills

  • Hands-on experience with Python.
  • Development experience in AWS Cloud technology.
  • 3+ years of experience developing scenario-based performance testing using JMeter.
  • Experience with Apigee or other API gateways is a plus.
  • At least 2 years working on an Agile team with a solid understanding of Agile/Lean practices.
  • Understanding of microservice architecture.
  • Experience with load and performance testing.
  • Strong documentation skills.

Soft Skills

  • Ability to adapt quickly to a complex environment.
  • Proactive, flexible, and creative.
  • Very strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with developers and business users.

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Paid Holidays

Please follow the link to our website for a list of job openings in Engineering, IT, Project Management, and more! https://www.dsnworldwide.com

Salary expectations: 155,000-160,000 per annual