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Junior Database Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Colovore

Senior Data Center Operations Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$109K - $148K/yr

The Senior Engineer ensures uptime, efficiency, and compliance while mentoring junior staff and ... Mentor and train junior operations staff; ensure proper documentation and SOP adherence.

Geico

Senior Analytics Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$109K - $148K/yr

Perform and automate daily maintenance processes. * Assist with data and database migrations ... Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and other team members as needed.

Eliassen Group

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70 - $80/hr

Mentor junior engineers and perform thorough code reviews. * Continuously improve attribution, measurement, forecasting, and privacy-preserving analytics capabilities. * Operate pipelines within ...

Sidley

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$109K - $148K/yr

Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior team members, promoting best practices in software engineering, data engineering, and agile development. * Troubleshoot and resolve complex Azure ...

New

Omnicom

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$109K - $148K/yr

Mentor junior engineers and enforce best practices in data engineering. * Actively contribute to improving team efficiency, scalability, and standards. REQUIRED SKILLS: * 5-8+ years of experience in ...

Omnicom

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$109K - $148K/yr

Mentor junior engineers and enforce best practices in data engineering. * Actively contribute to improving team efficiency, scalability, and standards. REQUIRED SKILLS: * 5-8+ years of experience in ...

Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc.

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$109K - $148K/yr

Mentor junior and mid-level data engineers on data contract and sharing patterns, and act as the initial subject matter expert for the data consumption team. Automated Testing & Reliability: Build ...

JLL

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL

$109K - $148K/yr

Mentor junior and mid-level data engineers on data contract and sharing patterns, and act as the initial subject matter expert for the data consumption team. Automated Testing & Reliability: Build ...

DevSelect

Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$118K - $141K/yr

Experience with managing databases in Azure is a plus as well as Neo4j graph databases. • ... to junior developers Preferred Job Qualifications: • Experience in machine learning and general ...

Oracle

Senior Data Center Operations Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$109K - $148K/yr

This OCI opportunity is for a Data Center Global Support Engineer responsible for support ... Seeks feedback and training to improve performance and mentors junior team members to support ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDatabase Engineer JobsJunior Database Engineer JobsJunior Database Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Junior Database Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$34.5K

$74K

$112.9K

How much do junior database engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior database engineer in Chicago, IL is $74,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $82,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a junior database engineer do?

A Junior Database Engineer assists in designing, implementing, and maintaining databases under the supervision of more experienced engineers. Their responsibilities often include writing basic queries, ensuring data integrity, performing backups, and troubleshooting database issues. They may also help optimize database performance and support application developers with database-related needs. This role serves as an entry point for building expertise in database administration and engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior database engineer?

To thrive as a Junior Database Engineer, you need a solid understanding of database concepts, SQL, and basic programming skills, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle, and certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals can be advantageous. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These skills ensure accurate data management, efficient troubleshooting, and seamless collaboration within technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by junior database engineers when managing database performance?

Junior Database Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing slow queries, managing growing data volumes, and ensuring database reliability. Balancing performance tuning with security and data integrity requirements can be tricky, especially when working on live production systems. Many teams support junior engineers with mentorship and code reviews, but developing troubleshooting skills and familiarity with monitoring tools is essential for growth in this role.

What is the difference between Junior Database Engineer vs Database Administrator?

AspectJunior Database EngineerDatabase Administrator
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; certifications like Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle are a plusSame as Junior Database Engineer; often requires certifications like Oracle Certified Professional or Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
Work EnvironmentEntry-level role focused on assisting with database development, testing, and maintenanceResponsible for overall database performance, security, backups, and troubleshooting
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, finance, healthcare, and any organization managing data systemsCommon in large enterprises, IT departments, and organizations with complex data needs

The main difference between a Junior Database Engineer and a Database Administrator lies in their responsibilities. Junior Database Engineers focus on assisting with database development and testing, while Database Administrators handle ongoing management, security, and optimization of databases. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in data-driven organizations, but the DBA role typically involves more experience and responsibility.

What are the most commonly searched types of Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Junior Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Junior Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Junior Database Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Junior Database Engineer job openings:

Junior Database Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Database Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,020 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

Senior Data Center Operations Engineer

Colovore

Chicago, IL • On-site

$109K - $148K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead day-to-day operational support, including equipment installation, cabling, and facility rounds.

  • Oversee preventative maintenance cycles and ensure compliance with operational standards and audit requirements.

  • Manage and resolve escalations during incidents; act as decision-maker in high-pressure situations.

Job description

About the Organization
Colovore is the leader in ultra-high-density, liquid-cooled AI colocation data centers for the deployment of AI inference, SuperPod, and AI factory applications and solutions. With facilities featuring power densities of 17-500+ kilowatts per cabinet, we are expanding quickly and building a national footprint of modern, hyper-efficient, high-density data centers to serve F500 enterprises and startups. The company was acquired by King Street in 2024, who provides real estate development expertise and secured $925 million funding to accelerate its national expansion. Join our team and play a critical role as we scale for rapid growth. You can be a game-changer at Colovore.
Role Overview
We're seeking a Senior Engineer, Data Center Operations to lead site-level operations in a high-density, mission-critical environment. This role blends hands-on technical work with leadership in preventative maintenance, customer service, and systems optimization. The Senior Engineer ensures uptime, efficiency, and compliance while mentoring junior staff and driving continuous improvements across facilities and IT operations.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead day-to-day operational support, including equipment installation, cabling, and facility rounds.
  • Oversee preventative maintenance cycles and ensure compliance with operational standards and audit requirements.
  • Manage and resolve escalations during incidents; act as decision-maker in high-pressure situations.
  • Operate and optimize Building Management Systems (BMS), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), and ticketing systems.
  • Configure, monitor, and tune infrastructure systems to improve reliability and efficiency.
  • Mentor and train junior operations staff; ensure proper documentation and SOP adherence.
  • Interface with strategic customers, providing remote hands support, escalation management, and service recovery.
  • Partner with facilities, engineering, and customer success teams to align on operational needs and improvements.
  • Maintain accurate records, logs, and reports for compliance, audits, and performance reviews.
  • Support capacity planning and operational readiness for new deployments.

Key Skills
Technical Mastery of Mission-Critical Infrastructure
  • Deep understanding of electrical, mechanical, and IT infrastructure systems (power distribution, cooling, cabling, server hardware)
  • Ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex infrastructure issues under time-sensitive conditions
  • Skilled in operating and interpreting data from BMS, CMMS, ticketing, and monitoring tools

Operational Excellence & Preventative Maintenance
  • Strong command of SOPs, MOPs, and EOPs with a disciplined approach to execution
  • Expertise in designing, managing, and improving preventative maintenance programs
  • Detail-oriented mindset for inspections, documentation, compliance, and audit readiness

Incident Leadership & Decision-Making
  • Ability to remain calm, clear-thinking, and decisive during outages or operational escalations
  • Strong situational awareness and risk assessment capabilities to drive safe, effective resolutions
  • Experience coordinating stakeholders and communicating clearly during high-pressure events

Systems Optimization & Continuous Improvement
  • Analytical approach to tuning and optimizing power, cooling, and monitoring systems for high-density environments
  • Ability to identify inefficiencies, propose improvements, and drive implementation across teams
  • Comfortable working with data to inform operational decisions and capacity planning

Customer Service & Communication
  • Professional, customer-oriented approach when supporting remote hands, escalations, or service recovery
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills, able to translate technical updates for both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Skilled at balancing customer needs with site-level operational priorities

Leadership & Team Development
  • Experience training and mentoring junior technicians, with an emphasis on safety, accuracy, and professional growth
  • Ability to model operational discipline, set expectations, and ensure adherence to processes
  • Strong collaborator who works well across facilities, engineering, and customer-facing teams

Required Experience
  • 5+ years of data center or mission-critical facility operations experience, with a strong focus on hands-on field work.
  • Proven expertise with power, cooling, and IT infrastructure systems in high-density environments.
  • Hands-on experience with BMS, CMMS, ticketing, and monitoring tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead incident resolution and high-pressure operational decisions.
  • Prior experience mentoring or leading junior technicians preferred.

What Success Looks Like
  • Zero downtime achieved through proactive monitoring, preventative maintenance, and effective incident management.
  • Smooth customer experience with quick, accurate, and professional handling of remote hands requests and escalations.
  • High-performing systems with optimized power, cooling, and monitoring configurations that support dense AI/HPC workloads.
  • Well-trained team of operations staff that follows SOPs, executes work efficiently, and grows under mentorship.
  • Accurate, compliant documentation that meets audit requirements and provides transparency for leadership and customers.
  • Continuous improvements implemented in workflows, safety, and operational efficiency to scale with business growth.

Why You'll Love Working at Colovore
At Colovore, we believe great work happens when people feel supported, trusted, and empowered. We offer a competitive and thoughtful benefits package designed to support your health, growth, and life outside of work, including:
  • Competitive compensation with opportunities for growth and advancement
  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) to support flexibility, rest, and work-life balance
  • 10 paid company holidays and paid sick leave
  • 401(k) plan with company participation
  • Professional development opportunities and learning support
  • Collaborative, inclusive culture where your work makes a real impact

If you're excited to build meaningful infrastructure, solve complex challenges, and grow with a team that values both performance and people, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply