ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Data Engineer Remote Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL

GATX

Lead Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$111K - $160K/yr

Overview Lead Data Engineer | Build the Future of Data at GATX Remote (Chicago-area preferred) Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader ...

GATX

Lead Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$105K - $139K/yr

Lead Data Engineer | Build the Future of Data at GATX Remote (Chicago-area preferred) Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader with 125 ...

Collectiv

Data Engineer (Azure, Fabric, Databricks)

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$118K - $141K/yr

Role Overview The Data Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting modern ... At Collectiv, your career thrives with a perfect blend of remote flexibility, growth potential, and ...

Grainger Businesses

Data Engineer - 332427

Lake Forest, IL · Remote

$153K - $174K/yr

Remote About Grainger: W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations ... Grainger Corporate Services LLC is seeking a Data Engineer in Lake Forest, IL with the following ...

Addison Group

Sr. Data Scientist

Chicago, IL · Remote

$85 - $100/hr

Remote Contract Pay: $85/hr - $100/hr The Senior Data Scientist will design and implement AI ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, data, and business stakeholders ...

1 point system

Senior Data Scientist

Chicago, IL · Remote

Requirement - Senior Data Scientist Location- Chicago, IL-Remote Contract W2 Updated JD PURPOSE ... Develop feature engineering logic using structured and unstructured claims and incident data.

Adoreal

Senior Data Engineer Manager

Chicago, IL · Remote

$108K - $147K/yr

While we are a remote-first company, we are currently only able to hire candidates located in the ... Responsibilities As the Senior Data Engineering Manager, you will: Team Leadership & Strategy

New

Adoreal

Senior Data Engineer Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$109K - $148K/yr

While we are a remote-first company, we are currently only able to hire candidates located in the ... Responsibilities As the Senior Data Engineering Manager, you will: Team Leadership & Strategy

Oowlish Technology

Senior Data Engineer (Snowflake)

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$109K - $148K/yr

We offer the convenience of remote work, allowing you to craft a work-life balance that suits your ... We are looking for an experienced Senior Data Engineer with strong expertise in Snowflake to help ...

New

NinjaTrader

Sr. Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$109K - $148K/yr

This role is remote-friendly and reports to the Manager, Data & Analytics Engineering. As a Sr. Data Engineer, your primary responsibility is to stay one step ahead of your fellow team members by ...

RethinkFirst

Data Engineer (Microsoft Fabric)

Chicago, IL · Remote

$118K - $141K/yr

About the Role We\'re seeking a highly skilled and motivated hands-on Data Engineer to design ... Remote opportunities are available to candidates who reside in the following states: AL, AZ, CT, FL ...

New

RethinkFirst

Data Engineer (Microsoft Fabric)

Chicago, IL · Remote

$117K - $140K/yr

About the Role We're seeking a highly skilled and motivated hands-on Data Engineer to design, build ... Remote opportunities are available to candidates who reside in the following states: AL, AZ, CT, FL ...

New

Above Lending

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$110K - $150K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Data Engineer who operates like an owner and thinks like a Systems ... We are not hiring remote candidates at this time. What You'll Do * Build and own end-to-end data ...

Above Lending

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$110K - $150K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Data Engineer who operates like an owner and thinks like a Systems ... We are not hiring remote candidates at this time. What You'll Do * Build and own end-to-end data ...

Kemper

Data Quality Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · Remote

$114K - $137K/yr

... Remote-OH, Remote-PA, Remote-RI, Remote-VA Details Kemper is one of the nation's leading ... Kemper is seeking a Data Quality Engineer specializing in Data Testing and Quality Engineering to ...

Kemper

Data Quality Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$118K - $141K/yr

... Remote-OH, Remote-PA, Remote-RI, Remote-VA Details Kemper is one of the nation's leading ... Kemper is seeking a Data Quality Engineer specializing in Data Testing and Quality Engineering to ...

Benchmark Solutions LLC

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$109K - $148K/yr

Strong SQL and data modeling skills * Strong Python engineering skills * Experience with Docker and ... Ability to work in a fully remote environment (must be based in the U.S. and willing to work in ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsData Engineer Contract JobsData Engineer Remote Contract JobsData Engineer Remote Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL

Data Engineer Remote Contract information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$45.8K

$133.6K

$182.9K

How much do data engineer remote contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer remote contract in Chicago, IL is $133,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,000.00 and $141,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a data engineer remote contract?

A Data Engineer Remote Contract position involves building and maintaining the infrastructure and systems that enable organizations to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data, all while working remotely. As a contractor, you are typically hired for a specific project or period and are not a permanent employee. This role often includes tasks like designing data pipelines, optimizing database performance, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with data scientists and analysts. Working remotely provides flexibility in location, but contractors are expected to communicate regularly with teams and meet project deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data engineer in a remote contract role?

To thrive as a Data Engineer in a remote contract position, you need strong programming skills (such as Python or Java), deep knowledge of database systems, and a background in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with data pipeline tools (like Apache Airflow), cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure), and ETL processes, along with relevant certifications, is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, clear communication, and self-motivation are key soft skills, especially when working independently or with distributed teams. These skills ensure the reliable design, development, and maintenance of scalable data systems, which are critical for organizations to leverage data effectively.

What are some common challenges faced by data engineers working remotely on contract assignments?

Data Engineers working remotely on contract assignments often navigate challenges such as aligning with distributed teams across different time zones, ensuring secure access to sensitive data, and maintaining clear communication with stakeholders. Since contractors may work with diverse tech stacks across projects, adapting quickly to new tools and company-specific data infrastructures is essential. Additionally, balancing multiple deliverables and onboarding efficiently without in-person support requires strong self-management and proactive collaboration skills.

What is the difference between Data Engineer Remote Contract vs Data Analyst Remote Contract?

AspectData Engineer Remote ContractData Analyst Remote Contract
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, Data Engineering certificationsBachelor's in Statistics, Data Analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote, collaborative teams, cloud platformsRemote, reporting and visualization tools
Employer & Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcareMarketing, retail, consulting
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between Data Engineer Remote Contract and Data Analyst Remote Contract lies in their focus and skill sets. Data Engineers build and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure, requiring technical skills in cloud platforms and programming. Data Analysts interpret data, create reports, and visualize insights. Both roles are remote and industry-specific, but they serve different functions within organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer Remote jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Data Engineer Remote jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Chicago, IL? For Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Data Engineer Remote Contract job openings:
Data Engineer Remote Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Engineer Remote Contract job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,627 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

Lead Data Engineer

GATX

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$111K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Overview

Lead Data Engineer | Build the Future of Data at GATX

Remote (Chicago-area preferred)

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader with 125+ years of success - success that is powered by our people. We are proud of our high-performance culture, hard-working and enthusiastic management team, and beautiful office space in the Willis Tower.

Now we are investing in the next evolution of our data, analytics, and artificial intelligence ecosystem. We are looking for a Lead Data Engineer who’s ready to do more than just build pipelines on Databricks and AWS. You will help shape enterprise analytics strategy, influence architecture, and partner directly with the business to drive smarter decisions.

Why This Role? This is a high-impact, highly visible role where you’ll: 

  • Lead the design and implementation of a modern AWS + Databricks Lakehouse platform; 
  • Partner across IT, analytics, and business teams to turn data into decisions; 
  • Drive scalable, governed, high-performance data solutions; and 
  • Influence how data powers analytics, reporting, and AI across the company 
Responsibilities

What You’ll Be Doing 

  • Design and lead enterprise-grade pipelines, supporting both batch and streaming data processing; 
  • Own the full ETL/ELT lifecycle, from design through production support; 
  • Drive data engineering standards, best practices, and architecture across the data ecosystem; 
  • Translate business requirements into scalable, high-performance data solutions; 
  • Mentor a small team while remaining hands-on; and 
  • Ensure data reliability, performance, governance, and cost optimization. 
Qualifications
  • 10+ years of IT experience, including deep expertise in data engineering & ETL; 
  • 4-6+ years of recent hands-on experience in designing, building, and scaling data pipelines; 
  • Strong hands-on experience with Databricks (Spark, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog) and AWS (S3, IAM, networking); 
  • A passion for continued learning and an interest in staying current with the rapidly evolving data and analytics space;   
  • Experience working in an Agile analytics environment where close collaboration with key stakeholders to address evolving requirements is the norm; 
  • Expertise in SQL, Python, data modeling, and distributed processing; 
  • Experience with CI/CD, DevOps, and modern data architecture (lakehouse, medallion, etc.); and  
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into solutions that deliver business outcomes. 

What Sets You Apart 

  • You’re analytical, curious, and solutions-oriented; 
  • You thrive in environments where you balance priorities and drive outcomes; 
  • You’re comfortable with ambiguity and can quickly learn the business; and  
  • You build strong partnerships and bring a “get things done” mindset. 

Why GATX 

  • 125+ years of stability with a forward-looking, innovation mindset; 
  • A high-performing, collaborative culture where your work matters; 
  • Flexibility to work remote, with access to our iconic Willis Tower headquarters; and 
  • Opportunities to grow and shape a modern enterprise data and AI platform. 

Ready to lead and build something meaningful? Apply today.

Posting DurationThis posting will remain open until the role is filled.  As of the post date, the salary range for this position is: MinUSD $111,800.00/Yr. MaxUSD $160,000.00/Yr.  This role may be eligible to participate in the Company’s short-term incentive plan, the details of which will be provided to the applicant upon hire.  This range is a reasonable estimate and takes into account several factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including, but not limited to, geographic location, skill set, experience, education, training, internal equity, and other business needs.
GATX logo

About GATX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Finance and insurance

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1898

Social media

Facebook

View All GATX Jobs

Apply