Backend Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Backend Developer (ELK/Kafka Data Engineer)
Location: Scott AFB, IL (Onsite)
Clearance Required: Secret Clearance
Employment Type: Contract (Long-Term)
Certification Requirement: Security+ certification required within 14 days of start
Overview
We are seeking a Backend Developer/Data Software Engineer with experience in Elasticsearch, Kafka, and modern data engineering practices to support a large-scale modernization effort focused on improving operational visibility, connectivity, and decision-making across critical network environments.
This role will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing secure, scalable data integration solutions while supporting real-time analytics, monitoring, and visualization capabilities. The ideal candidate has experience working with streaming data architectures, cloud-native technologies, distributed systems, and enterprise data platforms.
This position is fully onsite and candidates must be able to commute to Scott AFB, IL.
Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines and backend services for processing large and complex datasets.
• Build and support data integration solutions using Confluent Kafka, Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana.
• Develop ETL/ELT pipelines to ingest, transform, and integrate data from multiple enterprise systems.
• Create and optimize data lake and data warehouse solutions that support analytics, reporting, and operational dashboards.
• Develop APIs and backend services using Python, Java, SQL, JavaScript, and related technologies.
• Support visualization platforms and dashboards utilizing Kibana, HTML, JavaScript, and React-based technologies.
• Manage deployments within AWS cloud environments and OpenShift/Kubernetes platforms.
• Automate data ingestion, cleansing, validation, monitoring, and deployment processes through CI/CD pipelines.
• Optimize platform performance, including data ingestion throughput, indexing strategies, query performance, storage utilization, and cluster stability.
• Troubleshoot issues related to data processing, infrastructure, performance, and system integrations.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, analysts, architects, and stakeholders to deliver secure and reliable data solutions.
• Produce technical documentation, integration designs, interface documentation, test plans, and operational procedures.
• Utilize Agile methodologies and tools such as Jira and Confluence throughout the software development lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline and at least 2 years of relevant experience through professional work, internships, or academic projects.
• Experience developing APIs and backend services.
• Strong experience with:
  • Confluent Kafka
  • Elasticsearch / Elastic Stack (ELK)
  • SQL
  • Python
  • JavaScript
  • Java
• Experience building and supporting ETL/ELT pipelines and enterprise data integration solutions.
• Knowledge of distributed data architectures and data lake implementations.
• Experience with AWS services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, IAM, Kinesis, and CloudWatch.
• Experience working in Kubernetes or OpenShift environments.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, containerization, and DevOps practices.
• Experience with Git, Bitbucket, or other distributed version control systems.
• Understanding of data governance, metadata management, and data quality frameworks.
• Knowledge of network security, encryption methods, and access control concepts.
• Experience working within Agile development environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with geographically distributed teams.
• Active Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense or highly regulated environments.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks including RMF and STIG requirements.
• Experience with:
  • Spark
  • Hadoop
  • NiFi
  • Databricks
  • ELK Stack
  • Big Data platforms
• Knowledge of cybersecurity analytics, observability platforms, or incident response systems.
• Experience with monitoring tools such as Prometheus and Grafana.
• Cloud platform experience with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or GovCloud environments.
• Experience developing technical runbooks and operational documentation.
• Certified Confluent Developer and/or Certified Elastic Engineer certifications.

Top Skills

• Elasticsearch / ELK Stack
• Kafka / Confluent Kafka
• API Development
• Python
• SQL
• JavaScript
• Java
• ETL Development
• CI/CD Pipelines
• AWS
• Kubernetes / OpenShift

Why Join?
This modernization initiative focuses on improving mission effectiveness by reducing system downtime, accelerating connectivity for operational teams, and delivering timely, accurate information through advanced data integration and visualization capabilities. The work directly supports the development of scalable analytics platforms that enable faster decision-making and improved operational awareness.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Scott Air Force Base, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $75.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Scott Air Force Base,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 19, 2026.
About TEKsystems
We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services
We're a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We're a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We're strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We're building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.