Freelance Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Northbrook, IL

Department: IT Cyber Platform Services
Salary/Grade: ITS/79
Target hiring range for this position will be between $80,297-95,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Northwestern University's IT Cyberinfrastructure Platform Services team is seeking a Systems Engineer to support the design, implementation, and maintenance of multi-tier enterprise application environments. This role provides hands-on experience across the technology stack, working closely with senior engineers and stakeholders to deliver reliable and scalable solutions.
In this position, you will contribute to system administration tasks, support application environments, and assist with troubleshooting and performance optimization. You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills in scripting, automation, and infrastructure management while learning from experienced team members.
The ideal candidate has foundational experience with Linux and Windows systems, an understanding of multi-tier architectures, and a strong desire to grow technical expertise. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively are key to success in this role.
This is an excellent opportunity to build your career in a collaborative, high-performing environment while making a meaningful impact. Northwestern University offers competitive benefits, including healthcare, retirement plans, and educational opportunities.
Job Summary:
Supports the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of multi-tier information technology application environments, including software installation and configuration, server operating systems, networking, and storage. With 3-5 years of experience, the Systems Engineer independently handles routine system administration tasks and contributes to more complex initiatives with limited guidance.
Provides day-to-day support for application infrastructure, including troubleshooting issues, monitoring performance, and implementing solutions to maintain system reliability and availability. Partners with application owners and development teams to support system setup, configuration changes, and upgrades.
Applies operational standards, procedures, and best practices to ensure consistent service delivery and system performance. Contributes to automation, documentation, and continuous improvement efforts, while building deeper expertise across supported technologies.
Participates in project implementations and upgrades, taking ownership of defined tasks and deliverables. Engages in scheduled on-call rotations and responds to service management tickets, resolving most issues independently and escalating more complex problems as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate effectively within a technical environment
• Foundational knowledge of operating systems (Linux and/or Microsoft Windows)
• Basic experience supporting and maintaining enterprise applications or IT systems
• Working knowledge of scripting (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, or Python) and a willingness to develop automation skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities with attention to detail
• Foundational technical troubleshooting skills with the ability to escalate complex issues appropriately
• Customer service focus with a commitment to supporting end users and stakeholders
• Effective written communication skills, including documentation and ticket updates
• Effective verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences

Experience:

• 3-5 years of system administration or related IT experience required
• Exposure to cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) or virtualization technologies is preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting multi-tier application environments (web, application, database)
• Familiarity with automation and configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, Puppet, or Chef)
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
• Basic understanding of networking concepts (DNS, load balancing, firewalls)
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Splunk, Datadog, Nagios, or similar)
• Knowledge of version control systems (e.g., Git) and change management processes
• Exposure to containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience working in IT service management frameworks (e.g., ITIL)
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies quickly and adapt in a fast-paced environment
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Linux+, Microsoft, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner) are a plus
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .