1

Computer Architect Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Solutions Architect - AI & Procurement

Peoria, IL · On-site

$61.75 - $81.50/hr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field; 6-8+ ... Application Design, Architecture: Knowledge of basic activities and deliverables of application ...

In-depth knowledge of networking architecture, evaluating, and recommending new technologies to enhance current capabilities and performing needs assessments. * In-depth knowledge of data and voice ...

Work directly with customers, solution architects and vendor SMEs to implement changes and also identify, analyze, and resolve issue. * Manage Service Orders, in accordance with Change Management ...

Knowledge of networking architecture, evaluating, and recommending new technologies to enhance current capabilities and performing needs assessments. * Knowledge of data and voice network design ...

Knowledge of networking architecture, evaluating, and recommending new technologies to enhance current capabilities and performing needs assessments. * Knowledge of data and voice network design ...

Knowledge of networking architecture, evaluating, and recommending new technologies to enhance current capabilities and performing needs assessments. * Knowledge of data and voice network design ...

IP/Transport architecture experience * Solarwinds and JIRA experience * Telco NOC, inside or outside plant experience. * Experience with MS Office suite, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint ...

IP/Transport architecture experience * Solarwinds and JIRA experience * Telco NOC, inside or outside plant experience. * Experience with MS Office suite, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint ...

Description Our customer, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), provides, operates, and assures command and control of the Defense Information System Network (DISN) services to its customers ...

Enterprise Architect

Peoria, IL · On-site

$70 - $75/hr

Bachelor's (Master's preferred) in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience). * Experience: 8-12 + years in enterprise architecture or related roles ...

Data Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65.75 - $84.50/hr

Required : • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Statistics ... architecture documents and technical specifications. • Ability to thrive in fast-paced, evolving ...

OCI Architect

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65.50 - $89.50/hr

We are seeking a hands-on Oracle Cloud (OCI) Solutions Architect to partner with our system ... BA or BS degree Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related fields.

Data Architect

Naperville, IL · On-site

$63.75 - $82/hr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field. * Master's degree preferred. Experience * 10-15+ years in Data Engineering, Data Architecture, or Enterprise ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Computer Architect information

See Illinois salary details

$154.6K

$169.6K

$183.1K

How much do computer architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for computer architect in Illinois is $169,579.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $162,300.00 and $176,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a computer architect do?

A computer architect designs software to enhance a company’s network performance. As a computer architect, you design software, write algorithms, and engineer new systems to improve performance and function goals. Your responsibilities include maintaining data and putting together new components to help the business systems run more efficiently based on the company’s needs. Computer architects may also work with computer hardware, researching, developing, designing, and testing computer equipment.

How much do computer architects make?

Computer architects, also known as hardware architects or system architects, typically earn a median annual salary of around $130,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $80,000 to over $180,000 depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in digital design, knowledge of hardware description languages, and certifications can influence earning potential.

How does a computer architect typically collaborate with hardware and software teams during a project?

Computer Architects play a crucial role in bridging the gap between hardware and software teams to ensure system designs are both innovative and practical. They regularly participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss requirements, performance goals, and potential design trade-offs. By working closely with hardware engineers, they help define processor specifications and system layouts, while collaborating with software developers to optimize code for the architecture. This collaborative environment allows Computer Architects to influence both the physical hardware and the software that runs on it, ensuring overall system efficiency.

What is the work of a computer architect?

A computer architect designs and develops the overall structure of computer systems, including hardware components and their interactions. They analyze performance requirements, create specifications, and often work with hardware engineers to implement efficient and scalable computer architectures. Strong knowledge of computer hardware, systems design, and programming is essential for this role.

What is a computer architect?

Computer Architects are professionals who design and develop the structure and functionality of computer systems, including processors, memory systems, and data pathways. They focus on optimizing performance, energy efficiency, and scalability to meet specific computing needs. Computer Architects often work closely with hardware and software engineers to create innovative computing solutions for industries ranging from consumer electronics to high-performance computing. Their work is critical in shaping the capabilities and efficiency of modern computers.

What is the difference between Computer Architect vs Computer Hardware Engineer?

AspectComputer ArchitectComputer Hardware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or master's in computer science, computer engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or master's in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesigning and planning computer systems, often in R&D or design firmsDeveloping, testing, and manufacturing hardware components in labs or manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageUsed in designing new computer architectures for CPUs, GPUs, and systemsUsed in creating physical hardware components like circuit boards, processors, and peripherals

Computer Architects focus on designing the overall structure and architecture of computer systems, while Computer Hardware Engineers work on developing and testing the physical hardware components. Both roles require technical expertise but differ in their focus areas within the computing industry.

Are computer architects in demand?

Computer architects are in high demand due to the increasing need for advanced hardware design, system optimization, and integration of emerging technologies like AI and IoT. They typically require strong knowledge of hardware description languages, system architecture, and often hold advanced degrees or certifications, making their skills valuable across technology sectors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a computer architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Computer Architect, you need deep knowledge of computer hardware design, digital logic, and computer organization, usually backed by a degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with hardware description languages (HDLs) like VHDL or Verilog, simulation tools, and performance analysis software is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective communication set top performers apart in this role. These skills are essential for designing efficient, high-performance computing systems that meet organizational and technological needs.
What are the most commonly searched types of Computer Architect jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Computer Architect jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Computer Architect jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Computer Architect job openings:
Infographic showing various Computer Architect job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $169,579 per year, or $81.5 per hour.

Solutions Architect - AI & Procurement

Caterpillar

Peoria, IL • On-site

$61.75 - $81.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Caterpillar Inc. rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 476 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

265th of 487 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Career Area:
Technology, Digital and Data
Job Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
The IS Specialist - Procurement & AI Architecture provides technical leadership for the design, governance, and delivery of scalable digital solutions across Caterpillar's Guided Buy and Coupa ecosystem. This role serves as the end-to-end solution architect, accountable for alignment across upstream and downstream applications, integrations, data, and business processes within the Source-to-Pay landscape.
As Caterpillar advances AI-enabled and agentic capabilities, this role also functions as an AI Architect, partnering with agile delivery teams to design, review, and govern AI-driven solutions - including agents, automation, and decision-support capabilities-while ensuring compliance with enterprise architecture standards, security requirements, and Caterpillar Responsible AI principles.
What You Will Do
Solution & Enterprise Architecture
  • Serve as the end-to-end solution architect for Guided Buy and Coupa platforms, ensuring cohesive design across requisitioning, sourcing, purchasing, invoicing, supplier enablement, and downstream financial systems.
  • Design and govern integrations between Coupa/Guided Buy and upstream/downstream systems such as ERP, finance, supplier systems, middleware, data platforms, and reporting tools.
  • Define scalable, secure, and reusable architectural patterns for APIs, event-based integrations, data flows, and platform extensions.
  • Ensure architectural alignment with enterprise standards, IT controls, security, and SOX compliance requirements.

AI & Agentic Architecture
  • Act as AI Architect for procurement and purchasing platforms, designing how AI capabilities are embedded into Guided Buy and Coupa to improve user experience, compliance, efficiency, and insights.
  • Provide architectural guidance for building AI agents, copilots, and automation solutions, including prompt strategy, orchestration patterns, data grounding, and decision boundaries.
  • Establish and enforce AI governance practices, including design reviews, risk assessments, Responsible AI alignment, and lifecycle management of AI agents and models.
  • Perform code and solution reviews for AI-enabled components to ensure quality, maintainability, security, and architectural consistency.

Agile Delivery & Technical Leadership
  • Partner with Product Owners, Project managers, and development teams within an agile environment to translate business needs into clear, actionable technical designs and backlogs.
  • Guide teams through design decisions, trade-off analysis, and implementation best practices across sprints and releases.
  • Support solution planning for enhancements, upgrades, and modernization initiatives, including migration from legacy capabilities.
  • Own end-to-end troubleshooting and technical support for Guided Buy, Coupa, and the broader integrated solution landscape, partnering across teams to resolve complex cross-system issues.
  • Mentor engineers and analysts on architecture principles, integration patterns, and AI solution design.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Governance
  • Serve as a trusted technical advisor to procurement, finance, audit, security, IT, and external partners.
  • Lead or participate in architecture review boards, design governance forums, and change impact assessments.
  • Clearly communicate complex architectural concepts and risks to both technical and business audiences.

What You Have:
  • Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field; 6-8+ years of experience delivering enterprise-scale business applications, with strong exposure to procurement, ERP, or financial systems.
  • Technology Advising: Knowledge of effective advisory methods and ability to provide valued information and advice to clients regarding products, technologies, services and solutions for a specific technology domain.
  • Application Design, Architecture: Knowledge of basic activities and deliverables of application design; ability to utilize application design methodologies, tools and techniques to convert business requirements and logical models into a technical application design.
  • System and Technology Integration: Knowledge of the features and facilities of systems; ability to integrate and communicate among applications, databases and technology platforms.
  • Systems Software Infrastructure: Knowledge of computer architecture and system software interaction; ability to design and build a fundamental architecture of operating systems, database management systems, communications protocols, compilers and other development tools.
  • Technical Troubleshooting: Knowledge of technical troubleshooting approaches, tools and techniques; ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve technical issues on hardware, software, application or operation.

Core Technical & Functional Skills:
  • Enterprise & Solution Architecture: Proven ability to design and govern complex, integrated application ecosystems following SDLC process across cloud and on-prem environments.
  • Procurement Platforms: Hands-on experience with Guided Buy, Coupa, or similar Source-to-Pay / P2P platforms.
  • Integrations: Strong knowledge of APIs, middleware, ETL, event-driven architectures, and ERP integrations.
  • AI & Automation: Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts, LLMs, AI agents, and automation patterns applied to enterprise workflows.
  • Agile Delivery: Experience working within agile product teams, supporting backlog refinement, sprint execution, and continuous improvement.

What Will Set You Apart:
  • Experience designing or governing AI agents, copilots, or AI-enabled enterprise applications.
  • Strong understanding of Responsible AI principles, model governance, risk management, and ethical AI practices.
  • Coupa administration, configuration, or large-scale deployment experience.
  • Experience with cloud platforms, data environments, and reporting tools used in enterprise ecosystems.
  • Proven ability to lead architecture discussions and influence decisions in a complex, global, matrixed organization.

Additional Information:
  • Location: Peoria, IL
  • Additional Location: Irving, TX
  • Required Travel: Limited, based on program and stakeholder needs
  • This position requires working onsite five days a week
  • Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position

Summary Pay Range:
$128,470.00 - $208,770.00
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.
Benefits:
Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
  • Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
  • 401(k) savings plans*
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)*
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
  • Health Lifestyle Programs*
  • Employee Assistance Program*
  • Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
  • Career Development*
  • Incentive bonus*
  • Disability benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Adoption benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees
This position requires working onsite five days a week.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
July 31, 2026 - August 2, 2026
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.

What Caterpillar Inc. employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom