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Junior Operations Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Summary The Junior Network Engineer Junior is an entry level role focused on supporting the ... Candidates must be able to travel regularly between multiple locations to support operational ...

Junior Trading Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Hudson River Trading (HRT) is seeking a Junior Trading Systems Engineer to join our growing Trading ... business operations, to recruiting and beyond. We value openness and transparency, and celebrate ...

New

AWS SRE Architect

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$65/hr

Mentor junior engineers and drive DevOps and SRE best practices across teams. Required Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. * 8+ years in ...

About the role Parallel Works is hiring a Junior HPC Systems Engineer to learn supercomputing operations on production systems. The role starts with monitoring, node health, and account and ...

Junior Software Developer

Springfield, IL ยท Hybrid

$70K - $85K/yr

We are seeking Junior Software Developers to join our team in Springfield, Illinois. MSF&W offers ... Utilizing Microsoft Azure DevOps to maintain code versioning, automate deployments, and retain ...

Security Engineer (Splunk)

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$78 - $135/hr

... operational meetings as assigned * Share knowledge and provide guidance to junior team members ... AWS Solutions Architect Professional or AWS DevOps Engineer Professional or Azure Solutions ...

Traffic Engineer II

Saint Charles, IL ยท On-site

$106K - $171K/yr

You will work to achieve our goals of a profitable operation and a supportive and inclusive work ... Mentor junior engineering associates. Qualifications: * ABET accredited bachelor's degree in Civil ...

... operations. The right candidate will have a passion for capital markets and be a motivated self ... Bachelor's degree in business/finance, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or related field * 0-2 ...

... operations. The right candidate will have a passion for capital markets and be a motivated self ... Bachelor's degree in business/finance, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or related field * 0-2 ...

... operations. The right candidate will have a passion for capital markets and be a motivated self ... Bachelor's degree in business/finance, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or related field * 0-2 ...

Showing results 41-60

Junior Operations Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$32.5K

$69.6K

$106.1K

How much do junior operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior operations engineer in Illinois is $69,575.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $77,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior operations engineer?

Junior Operations Engineers are entry-level professionals who support the daily operations of a company's technical infrastructure. They assist in monitoring systems, identifying and resolving operational issues, and ensuring that hardware and software systems run smoothly. Junior Operations Engineers often work under the guidance of senior engineers, learning essential system administration, troubleshooting, and process optimization skills. Their role is crucial in maintaining system reliability and supporting business continuity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior operations engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Operations Engineer, you need a solid understanding of computer systems, networking fundamentals, and basic scripting or programming, typically supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with monitoring tools, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and configuration management systems is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring reliable operations, quick issue resolution, and smooth collaboration within technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by junior operations engineers in their first year, and how can they be overcome?

Junior Operations Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing unfamiliar systems, adapting to on-call rotations, and troubleshooting issues under time pressure. To overcome these, it's helpful to actively seek mentorship from senior team members, document new processes, and participate in regular team knowledge-sharing sessions. Building strong communication skills and a foundational understanding of the organization's infrastructure will also ease the transition and lead to faster problem-solving.

What is the difference between Junior Operations Engineer vs Operations Technician?

AspectJunior Operations EngineerOperations Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related fieldTechnical diploma or associate degree, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice and field, involved in planning and troubleshootingField-based, hands-on equipment maintenance and monitoring
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, manufacturing, energy sectorsManufacturing plants, energy facilities, industrial sites
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles with technical focusCompared for operational support and maintenance roles

The Junior Operations Engineer typically focuses on planning, analysis, and troubleshooting within engineering frameworks, requiring a degree. Operations Technicians are more hands-on, performing maintenance and monitoring tasks. Both roles are essential in industrial settings but differ mainly in their responsibilities and required qualifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Operations Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Junior Operations Engineer jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Junior Operations Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Operations Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,575 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Junior Network Engineer

SDI Presence

Chicago, IL โ€ข Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Company      

SDI Presence LLC is an IT consultancy and managed services provider (MSP) that leverages its strong team presence to advance our clients to a secure digital enterprise. With a 25-year corporate resume, SDI delivers strategic managed services, IT consulting, and hybrid multi-cloud infrastructure solutions to optimize our clients’ technology environments. SDI is NMSDC-certified, with a portfolio of clients that includes some of the nation’s largest airports, utilities, commercial real estate portfolios, and government agencies. SDI is backed by Abry Partners, a Boston-based sector-focused private equity firm with $5B under management and more than 30 years of experience in the technology market. Visit us at SDIPRESENCE.COM and connect with us on X and LINKEDIN.     

Although we list out what we generally look for in this job description, we are very likely missing other attributes and skills that you have that could make you a great fit but are not currently listed. The point we’re getting at is it doesn’t hurt to take a chance and apply!      

Summary 

The Junior Network Engineer Junior is an entry level role focused on supporting the installation and maintenance of our client’s network infrastructure. This position offers hands-on experience in networking, while working under Senior Network Engineers. This Engineer will be responsible for monitoring network alarms and outages, dispatch to remote sites for troubleshooting and repairs, as well as documenting network infrastructure.  Candidates must be able to travel regularly between multiple locations to support operational requirements. Ability to work various shift schedules, including overnight, weekends, and holiday coverage, based on business needs. 

SDI Presence Offers: 

An hourly range: $33.00 - $38.00/hour 

  • Base salary may vary based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. Some positions may include additional compensation in the form of bonuses or commissions.  
  • Medical,Dental, Vision, company-provided Life Insurance, Short and long-term disability.  Matched Retirement Savings, Wellness Program, Paid time off and much more!

Responsibilities 

  • Install, configure and support network equipment such as routers, switches, wireless access points, and other related network devices on a daily basis.
  • Perform daily monitoring, administration and operational functions of the network environment
  • Day to day monitoring of the network, collecting and preparing statistical data for analysis on network performance and availability (monitoring of network device logs, monitoring of port statistics)
  • Documentation of Procedures / Networking environment (ensure that all network documentation is accurate and up to date)
  • Document issue resolution using the helpdesk ticketing system
  • Submit Request for Change forms when needed.
  • Ensuring patches are tested and applied when needed.
  • Maintain excellent communication with all end users and other members of the technology department
  • Assist other team members in executing various project tasks
  • Work with hardware break/fix vendor as needed
  • Execute other assigned tasks as delegated by the Customer, Network Project Manager and Team Lead
  • Stay updated through professional training using internal and external resources toward certification.

Requirements 

  • 1 to 3 years of experience working with installation and configuration of routers and switches.
  • Continue to pursue vendor certifications and in-depth knowledge of at least one or more network operating system
  • Cisco CCNA certification preferred, or obtain within first 3-6months of employment
  • Experience working within security implementation and monitoring of network systems
  • Experience with design, implementation and maintenance of network components
  • Analytical thinking with ability to detect and resolve network issues quickly
  • Strong documentation and communication skills 
  • Great verbal and written communication skills
  • Clear reporting and collaboration with team members and management.
  • Ability to work 3:00 – 11:00pm shift, weekend, and holiday coverage, based on business needs. 
   
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.    
   
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement   
SDI Presence is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.    
   
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. SDI Presence makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.