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Entry Level Network Security Engineer Jobs in Illinois

NorthShore

IT Security Engineer II

Skokie, IL · On-site

$46.64 - $72.29/hr

Position: IT Security Engineer II * Location: Skokie, IL or Warrenville, IL or Arlington Heights ... Intermediate-level knowledge of network, application, and systems security architecture.

DRW

Client Platforms Security Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

You will engineer, maintain and implement security controls, audit configurations in a hybrid ... Understanding of network fundamentals and protocols. * Deep technical understanding of client OS ...

Interactive Brokers

Staff Security Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Collect and analyze logs, network data, and endpoint artifacts * Document incident findings and support root cause analysis * Escalate complex incidents to senior analysts * Participate in security ...

Elevance Health

Security Analyst Sr

Chicago, IL · On-site

$97K - $169K/yr

Experience must include a minimum of 3 years experience in a support & operations or design & engineering role in any of the following areas: access management or network security technologies ...

New

Elevance Health

Security Analyst Sr

Chicago, IL · On-site

$97K - $169K/yr

Experience must include a minimum of 3 years experience in a support & operations or design & engineering role in any of the following areas: access management or network security technologies ...

New

Elevance Health

Security Analyst Sr

Chicago, IL · On-site

$97K - $169K/yr

Experience must include a minimum of 3 years experience in a support & operations or design & engineering role in any of the following areas: access management or network security technologies ...

New

IBM

Associate Security Consultant 2027

Chicago, IL · On-site

... entry-level positions. You'll receive a status update email for each application, so be sure to ... Knowledge of network and application security, software engineering, secure application development ...

Breakthru

Senior IT Security Engineer

Cicero, IL · On-site

$107K - $145K/yr

The Senior IT Security Engineer is responsible for planning, deploying, administering, and ... Expertise in networking protocols, administration of Windows and at least one Linux variant, and ...

TEKsystems

Network Analyst TRIP

Scott Air Force Base, IL · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Skills Network engineering, Router, Firewall Top Skills Details Network engineering,Router,Firewall Additional Skills & Qualifications Additional Skills & Qualifications Sec+, CCNA Security, CySA ...

Leidos

Network Engineer

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

... Network Engineers supporting our Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) program at ... Must have an active DoD Top Secret security clearance. This posting is for multiple opportunities ...

Leidos

Network Engineer

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

... Network Engineers supporting our Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) program at ... Must have an active DoD Top Secret security clearance. This posting is for multiple opportunities ...

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All JobsNetwork Security Engineer JobsEntry Level Network Security Engineer JobsEntry Level Network Security Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Entry Level Network Security Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$20.4K

$121.1K

$161.8K

How much do entry level network security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level network security engineer in Illinois is $121,078.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,300.00 and $138,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level network security engineer do?

An Entry Level Network Security Engineer is responsible for helping to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from cyber threats. They assist with monitoring network activity, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Their duties often include configuring security software, responding to incidents, and supporting senior engineers with risk assessments. This role is ideal for those who are knowledgeable in networking basics and have a strong interest in cybersecurity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level network security engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Network Security Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking fundamentals, cybersecurity principles, and a relevant degree or certification such as CompTIA Security+ or Cisco CCNA. Familiarity with firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) tools is typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential for identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating security risks, and maintaining a robust network defense.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level network security engineers during their first year on the job?

Entry level network security engineers often face challenges such as quickly adapting to a fast-paced environment where new threats and vulnerabilities emerge regularly. They may also need to familiarize themselves with a variety of security tools and protocols, as well as company-specific network architectures. Collaborating effectively with more experienced team members and communicating technical information to non-technical colleagues can take time to master. However, these challenges are great learning opportunities and help build a strong foundation for career growth.

What is the difference between Entry Level Network Security Engineer vs Network Security Analyst?

AspectEntry Level Network Security EngineerNetwork Security Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA SecurityCompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level roles may not require CISSP)
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing security measures, and supporting network infrastructureMonitoring, analyzing security threats, and incident response
Employer & Industry UsageIT departments, cybersecurity firms, telecom companiesFinancial institutions, government agencies, tech companies

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, an Entry Level Network Security Engineer primarily works on designing and implementing security solutions, whereas a Network Security Analyst monitors and analyzes security threats. The roles often overlap in certifications and work environments, but their core responsibilities differ, making each essential in a comprehensive security strategy.

What are the most commonly searched types of Network Security Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Network Security Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Network Security Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Network Security Engineer job openings:

Entry Level Network Security Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Network Security Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,078 per year, or $58.2 per hour.

Application Security Engineer, Frontier AI Evaluation (Contract)

Cobalt

Mundelein, IL • On-site

$60 - $80.25/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About the role:

Cobalt is seeking application security engineers to produce the expert reasoning and evaluation data used to train and assess frontier AI models on secure code: writing it, reviewing it, and fixing it.

This opportunity is suited to engineers who sit between security and software development: application and product security engineers, secure code reviewers, security-focused senior engineers, and consultants who do source-level assessments rather than only network testing.

You do not need prior experience in data annotation or AI research. What matters is that you can read unfamiliar code, see the vulnerability class before the scanner does, and articulate why a given fix is correct rather than merely sufficient to close the ticket.

All work is performed against sandboxed environments, purpose-built targets, and model endpoints supplied by us or by the lab. We do not accept work performed against systems you are not authorized to test, and we do not accept material covered by a client agreement or obtained without authorization.


What you'll do:

Depending on the project, you may:

  • Produce written review traces on real code, capturing how you orient in an unfamiliar codebase, which paths you follow, what you rule out and why, and how you confirm a finding is exploitable rather than theoretical
  • Author paired secure and insecure implementations, along with the tests and exploit conditions that distinguish them
  • Evaluate model-generated code and remediations, ranking solutions, explaining what makes the stronger one stronger, and identifying fixes that close the report without closing the underlying flaw
  • Assess whether a proposed fix introduces regressions, breaks intent, or shifts the vulnerability elsewhere, and identify results that pass tests but remain unsafe
  • Design rubrics and partial-credit criteria for scoring multistep review and remediation tasks, and classify findings into a consistent taxonomy

Projects follow their own guidelines, scope rules, and quality standards, and you will work with feedback from reviewers and lab research teams.


Required qualifications:

  • Demonstrable application security experience, evidenced by professional secure code review or assessment work, published research, a substantive bug bounty record in software targets, or comparable work
  • Strong software engineering ability in at least one of Python, TypeScript or JavaScript, Go, Rust, Java, C, or C++, and comfort reading unfamiliar codebases across more than one language
  • Depth in at least one area, for example web and API security, authentication and authorization design, cryptographic implementation, dependency and supply chain security, or cloud and infrastructure as code
  • Ability to explain each step of your reasoning clearly in writing, at a level another engineer could act on in a pull request
  • Willingness to work strictly within defined scope and authorization, and to sign a confidentiality agreement covering project materials


Why join Cobalt AI:

  • Advance frontier AI where it counts. Apply your security expertise to data that frontier labs cannot obtain any other way, where your judgment directly shapes how the next generation of models reasons about security.
  • Grow professionally. Expand your influence through evaluation projects, advisory roles, and research collaborations, while developing a working understanding of how frontier models are trained and assessed.
  • Work with a top-tier network. Collaborate with security engineers and researchers from leading organizations on high-impact, flexible work.
  • Set your own schedule. Flexible 10 to 40 hour weeks that fit around your existing engagements and your life.
  • Competitive pay. Rates vary by project and are determined by a number of factors, including scope, skillset, and experience.

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