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Freelance Building Automation Programmer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Danaher

Software Automation Internships

Gary, IN · On-site

About Automation Engineering Roles at Danaher Are you energized by solving technical problems, building automation systems, and making a real impact in the life sciences space? As an Automation ...

Danaher

Software Automation Internships

Hammond, IN · On-site

About Automation Engineering Roles at Danaher Are you energized by solving technical problems, building automation systems, and making a real impact in the life sciences space? As an Automation ...

Danaher

Software Automation Internships

Chicago, IL · On-site

About Automation Engineering Roles at Danaher Are you energized by solving technical problems, building automation systems, and making a real impact in the life sciences space? As an Automation ...

Danaher

Software Automation Internships

Aurora, IL · On-site

About Automation Engineering Roles at Danaher Are you energized by solving technical problems, building automation systems, and making a real impact in the life sciences space? As an Automation ...

Danaher

Software Automation Internships

Aurora, IL · On-site

About Automation Engineering Roles at Danaher Are you energized by solving technical problems, building automation systems, and making a real impact in the life sciences space? As an Automation ...

Cameo

Automation Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Role Summary As an Automation Engineer you will partner with teams across Cameo to identify ... Experience building automation solutions, workflow tools, or internal tooling * Hands-on experience ...

Cameo

Automation Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Role Summary As an Automation Engineer you will partner with teams across Cameo to identify ... Experience building automation solutions, workflow tools, or internal tooling * Hands-on experience ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsBuilding Automation Programmer JobsFreelance Building Automation Programmer JobsFreelance Building Automation Programmer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Freelance Building Automation Programmer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.7K

$83.1K

$115.4K

How much do freelance building automation programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance building automation programmer in Chicago, IL is $83,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $95,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance building automation programmer?

A Freelance Building Automation Programmer is a professional who specializes in designing, programming, and troubleshooting automated control systems for buildings on a contract or project basis. They work with systems such as HVAC, lighting, security, and energy management to ensure buildings operate efficiently and comfortably. Unlike full-time employees, freelancers are typically hired for specific projects or timeframes and may work with multiple clients. Their expertise helps optimize building performance, reduce operational costs, and integrate new technologies into existing infrastructure.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a freelance building automation programmer?

To thrive as a Freelance Building Automation Programmer, you need expertise in HVAC systems, controls programming, and a solid understanding of electrical and mechanical engineering principles, often supported by a relevant technical degree or certification. Familiarity with industry-standard platforms such as BACnet, LonWorks, Tridium Niagara, and tools like AutoCAD and PLC programming software is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, self-management, and effective client communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure accurate system integration, client satisfaction, and the successful delivery of complex automation projects.

What are common challenges faced by freelance building automation programmers and how can they be overcome?

Freelance building automation programmers often encounter challenges such as integrating diverse systems from multiple manufacturers and keeping up with frequent updates in automation protocols. Managing client expectations and project timelines can also be demanding, especially when working remotely or with limited onsite access. To overcome these obstacles, it's important to stay current with industry certifications, develop strong communication skills for client coordination, and build a reliable network of contacts for technical support. Efficient project management tools and regular professional development can also help freelancers succeed in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Freelance Building Automation Programmer vs Building Automation Technician?

AspectFreelance Building Automation ProgrammerBuilding Automation Technician
CredentialsTypically requires certifications in programming, networking, and building automation systemsOften holds technical certifications or trade licenses related to system installation and maintenance
Work EnvironmentWorks independently or with clients, often remotely or on-site for specific projectsPrimarily on-site, maintaining and troubleshooting automation systems
Employer & Industry UsageFreelancers serve multiple clients across commercial, industrial, and institutional sectorsEmployed by facilities or service companies to perform routine system upkeep

While both roles involve building automation systems, Freelance Building Automation Programmers focus on designing and customizing control software, often working independently. Building Automation Technicians handle installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of these systems on-site. The roles complement each other but differ mainly in scope and work setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Building Automation Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Building Automation Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Building Automation Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Freelance Building Automation Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Building Automation Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Building Automation Programmer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Freelance Building Automation Programmer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Freelance Building Automation Programmer job openings:

Freelance Building Automation Programmer jobs near you

Senior Tosca Automation Engineer (Contract-to-Hire)

Blue Star Partners LLC

Merrillville, IN • Hybrid

$60 - $74/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Senior Tosca Automation Engineer

Location: Merrillville, IN (Hybrid - Onsite Tuesday-Thursday)

Contract Type: 1-Year Contract-to-Hire

Rate: $60-$74/hr (W2)

Job Summary

We are seeking a Senior Tosca Automation Engineer with deep expertise in Tricentis Tosca to drive automation quality across enterprise applications, primarily SAP and Salesforce. This role will be embedded in a Value Stream Team (VST) and will focus on building and scaling automation frameworks that improve reliability, velocity, and quality across complex, integrated systems.

You will collaborate closely with product teams, architects, and quality engineering leadership to implement automation strategies aligned with Agile and DevSecOps practices. In addition to hands-on technical work, this role may include Test Lead responsibilities, providing leadership in setting standards, mentoring team members, and improving automation maturity.

Key ResponsibilitiesTest Automation Engineering

  • Design, develop, and maintain Tosca automation assets including Modules, TestCases, TestCaseDesign templates, and ExecutionLists.

  • Implement scalable, reusable, data-driven automation frameworks.

  • Build and evolve automation for SAP (GUI/Fiori) and Salesforce (Lightning).

  • Automate API testing using Tosca API Scan (REST/SOAP), including token handling and chained calls.

  • Execute integration and end-to-end testing across SAP Salesforce workflows.

CI/CD and Automation Operations

  • Configure and manage Distributed Execution (DEX).

  • Integrate automation with Jenkins or Azure DevOps pipelines.

  • Publish execution results to Tricentis qTest for reporting and traceability.

  • Ensure automation is stable, performant, and CI-ready.

Leadership & Quality Governance

  • Serve as Tosca subject matter expert (SME).

  • Define and enforce automation standards (naming, folder structure, versioning, reviews).

  • Mentor engineers and provide automation best practices.

  • Drive quality metrics (coverage, pass rate, triage time, defect leakage).

  • Support UAT and release activities.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

  • Partner with product and architecture teams to improve testability and design.

  • Develop test data strategies and support environment readiness.

  • Collaborate with performance and security testing teams as needed.

  • Communicate test results, risks, and insights to leadership.

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years in QA/Test Automation.

  • 3+ years hands-on experience with Tricentis Tosca.

  • Strong experience building automation for enterprise-scale applications.

  • Practical experience with SAP and Salesforce ecosystems.

  • 3+ years of API testing experience (REST/SOAP, JSON/XML, authentication).

  • Experience writing and maintaining complex automation scripts.

  • Strong debugging, analysis, and documentation skills.

  • Excellent communication and team collaboration ability.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Tricentis Certifications (Automation Specialist, Test Design, SAP Specialist).

  • Utilities / Energy domain experience.

  • Hands-on experience with:

    • NeoLoad (performance testing)

    • Service Virtualization

    • Test Data Management

    • CI/CD pipelines

    • Mobile application testing

    • Tricentis qTest

    • Other automation platforms (e.g., Selenium, Cypress, Playwright)

  • Experience contributing to enterprise automation frameworks and governance.

  • Background modernizing automation programs or leading enablement efforts.

Work Authorization Requirement

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Blue Star Partners LLC will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT, or any other employment-based visa

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