Entry Level Software Testing Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
IBM Cybersecurity brings together consultants, architects, analysts, engineers, and technical specialists who help organizations strengthen resilience against evolving cyber threats. We are looking for early-career professionals interested in building expertise in areas such as Identity and Access Management (IAM), Cloud Security, Threat Management, Security Operations, Threat Management, Security Operations, Data and Application Security, or Governance, Risk, and Compliance. In this role, you'll work alongside experienced consultants on real client engagements while developing technical, consulting, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment.
To give yourself the best opportunity for success, we advise applying only to roles that align with your skills and experience, rather than applying broadly across all entry-level positions. You'll receive a status update email for each application, so be sure to check your IBM Careers account regularly - it's the best way to get a centralized view of which roles you have active applications against.
Your role and responsibilities
As an Associate Security Consultant, you will help clients design, implement, and strengthen security solutions that protect applications, users, systems, and data across modern enterprise environments.
You'll work on real client engagements alongside experienced consultants and technical specialists while building practical experience in cybersecurity domains such as cloud security, identity and access management, threat management, security operations, or governance and risk.
Your responsibilities may encompass:
• Collaborate with client teams and IBM professionals to gather business and technical requirements and support the design of effective security solutions
• Contribute to Enterprise-wide Access Management initiatives, including authentication, authorization, identity, and secure access processes
• Participate in multiple phases of client engagements, including requirements analysis, solution design, identity and secure access processes, implementation, testing, and operational support
• Assist with security architecture, application security, cloud security, monitoring, and threat management activities across diverse environments
• Work with modern cybersecurity platforms, automation tools, and AI-enhanced security operations technologies
• Build knowledge across multiple platforms, architectures, security domains, and consulting methodologies.
Required education
High School Diploma/GED
Preferred education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
• Familiarity with network architecture, network security principles, authentication and authorization methods, and encryption protocols and standards
• Exposure to one or more cybersecurity domains such as Threat Management, Security Operations, Data and Application Security, Identity &Access Management, Cloud and Infrastructure Security, or Governance, Risk, and Compliance
• Working knowledge of programming or scripting languages such as Python, C/C++, Go/Golang, Bash, or C#, with exposure to software testing, automation frameworks, or secure development practices
• Exposure to security tools and technologies related to vulnerability scanning, monitoring, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, encryption, or network analysis
• Understanding of cybersecurity operations concepts including SIEM, SOAR, EDR, threat detection, or incident response workflows
• Interest in emerging security technologies, automation, AI-assisted security operations, and modern cloud security practices
• Willingness to travel up to 100%
Preferred technical and professional experience
• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field preferred (Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, MIS, Engineering, or related disciplines)
• Knowledge of network and application security, software engineering, secure application development, mobile technologies, or identity and authentication solutions
• Exposure to enterprise security platforms such as Microsoft Sentinel/Defender, CrowdStrike, Google SecOps, Palo Alto Networks XSIAM, Splunk, or related SIEM, SOAR, and EDR technologies
• Industry certifications or coursework related to cybersecurity, cloud security, or security operations (CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similar) are a plus.
ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT
IBM Consulting is IBM's consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients' businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.
YOUR LIFE @ IBM
In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.
Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.
Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.
Are you ready to be an IBMer?
ABOUT IBM
IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.
Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.
At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.
IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS
IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:
- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.
IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.