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Freelance Unity Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$88K - $103K/yr

Implement data governance and access controls using Unity Catalog and platform best practices. Use ... Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan ...

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$88K - $103K/yr

Implement data governance and access controls using Unity Catalog and platform best practices ... Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan ...

Lead Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$112K - $135K/yr

Implement data governance and access controls using Unity Catalog and platform best practices ... Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan ...

Freelance Unity Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$22

$66

How much do freelance unity developer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance unity developer in Illinois is $22.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.17 and $18.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Unity Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Unity Developer, you need strong proficiency in C# programming, 3D/2D game development, and a solid understanding of the Unity engine, often supported by a degree in computer science or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, asset management tools, and relevant certifications such as Unity Certified Developer are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving, self-motivation, and client communication skills are crucial for managing projects and meeting client expectations. These competencies enable developers to deliver high-quality, engaging interactive experiences while effectively collaborating and adapting to diverse project requirements.

How do freelance Unity developers typically collaborate with clients and other team members on remote projects?

Freelance Unity developers often work remotely, collaborating with clients and distributed teams using project management tools like Jira or Trello, and communication platforms such as Slack or Zoom. They are usually responsible for providing regular updates, adhering to milestones, and integrating their work with other developers, artists, and designers through version control systems like Git. Clear communication and proactive problem-solving are essential, as freelancers must often clarify requirements and address issues independently while maintaining alignment with the project's overall vision.

What does a Freelance Unity Developer do?

A Freelance Unity Developer is a self-employed professional who specializes in using the Unity game engine to create interactive experiences, games, simulations, or applications. They collaborate with clients to design, develop, and deploy projects across various platforms, such as mobile, PC, consoles, or virtual reality. Their responsibilities can include coding in C#, creating game mechanics, optimizing performance, and sometimes handling aspects of design or animation. Freelance Unity Developers often manage their own schedules, find clients, and handle project management tasks in addition to development work.

What is the difference between Freelance Unity Developer vs Unity Programmer?

AspectFreelance Unity DeveloperUnity Programmer
CredentialsPortfolio, Unity certifications (optional)Unity certifications, programming experience
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-basedIn-house or remote, team collaboration
Employer & IndustryClients across gaming, AR/VR, simulationsGame studios, tech companies, AR/VR firms
Search & Comparison IntentFreelance Unity Developer vs Unity ProgrammerFreelance Unity Developer vs Unity Programmer

While both roles involve Unity development, a Freelance Unity Developer typically works independently on various projects for different clients, focusing on project management and client communication. A Unity Programmer often works within a team or company, focusing on coding, debugging, and implementing features. The main difference lies in the work setting and scope, with freelancers offering flexible services and Unity Programmers often being part of a larger development team.

What are the most commonly searched types of Unity Developer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Unity Developer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Freelance Unity Developer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Freelance Unity Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Unity Developer job openings in Illinois as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 30% Physical, and 70% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,292 per year, or $22.3 per hour.
Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer

Digitas

Chicago, IL • On-site

$88K - $103K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Data Engineer

Publicis Media is a social marketing and dynamic content center of excellence, specializing in connecting brands to consumers in real-time, social environments.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain scalable ETL and ELT pipelines based on business requirements, user stories, and architectural standards. Assemble, transform, and manage large, complex datasets using cloud-native technologies (AWS, Databricks, Amazon Redshift) and SQL-based processing. Design and maintain relational data models to support analytics, reporting, and downstream consumption. Lead performance, reliability, and scalability efforts across the data platform, including monitoring, tuning, and optimization of pipelines and workloads. Develop and maintain Databricks solutions leveraging Spark, Delta Tables, and managed workflows (jobs, orchestration). Implement data governance and access controls using Unity Catalog and platform best practices. Use Git-based version control to manage code, support peer collaboration, and enable CI/CD workflows. Lead and support data platform migrations into Databricks, including legacy warehouse modernization and pipeline refactoring. Mentor and train junior data engineers through code reviews, technical coaching, and knowledge sharing. Create clear, accurate, and maintainable technical documentation. Participate in on-call rotation and provide escalation support for production issues as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. 4+ years of experience in data engineering or a related role. Strong hands-on experience with ETL/ELT frameworks and cloud data platforms (e.g., Databricks, AWS Glue, Amazon Redshift). Strong experience with relational databases and advanced SQL, including schema design, joins, window functions, performance tuning, and query optimization—particularly in Amazon Redshift or comparable cloud data warehouses. Proficiency in Python for data processing, automation, and pipeline development. Deep hands-on experience with Databricks, including Spark optimization, Delta Tables, and Unity Catalog. Experience migrating data pipelines and workloads into Databricks from legacy or cloud data warehouse platforms (plus). Databricks certifications (e.g., Data Engineer Associate or Professional) a plus. Proficiency with Git and version control best practices in a collaborative development environment. Proven ability to mentor junior engineers and promote engineering best practices across the team. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Strong customer service mindset with the ability to translate business needs into reliable, scalable data solutions. Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Digital media or ad tech experience, especially in data-centric roles, is a plus.

Additional Information

Our Publicis Groupe motto "Viva La Différence" means we're better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent. Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off. If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Compensation Range: $88,000- $103,000 This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 6/1/2026.