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Junior Rails Developer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Developer Sr

Evanston, IL · On-site

$81/hr

Provides input to performance evaluations for junior team members. Miscellaneous Performed other ... Experience developing modern web applications using PHP/Laravel, Ruby on Rails, or similar MVC ...

Work primarily in Ruby on Rails or Python, showcasing proficiency and contributing to high-quality ... Support junior engineers through guidance and collaboration, fostering a culture of continuous ...

Work primarily in Ruby on Rails or Python, showcasing proficiency and contributing to high-quality ... Support junior engineers through guidance and collaboration, fostering a culture of continuous ...

Work primarily in Ruby on Rails or Python, showcasing proficiency and contributing to high-quality ... Support junior engineers through guidance and collaboration, fostering a culture of continuous ...

Work primarily in Ruby on Rails or Python, showcasing proficiency and contributing to high-quality ... Support junior engineers through guidance and collaboration, fostering a culture of continuous ...

The ideal candidate would be a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois with a strong ... This role includes providing technical leadership on rail/transit and bridge projects, supporting ...

Sr AI Solution Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$57 - $73.50/hr

... railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie ® , TimberTech ® , AZEK ® ... Mentor junior AI engineers and contribute to team knowledge sharing. * Support AI solution ...

RailPros is the premier provider of engineering and diversified safety services to America's rail ... Experience developing and leading design teams and mentoring junior engineers Preferred Education ...

RailPros is the premier provider of engineering and diversified safety services to America's rail ... Experience developing and leading design teams and mentoring junior engineers Preferred Education ...

Senior Civil Project Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

RailPros is the premier provider of engineering and diversified safety services to America's rail ... Experience developing and leading design teams and mentoring junior engineers Preferred Education ...

Sr AI Solution Engineer

Chicago, IL

$57 - $73.50/hr

... railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie, TimberTech, AZEK Exteriors ... Mentor junior AI engineers and contribute to team knowledge sharing. * Support AI solution ...

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Junior Rails Developer information

See Illinois salary details

$23.3K

$86.2K

$133.2K

How much do junior rails developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior rails developer in Illinois is $86,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,900.00 and $84,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Junior Rails Developer expect in their first year on the job?

As a Junior Rails Developer, you can expect to work on tasks such as fixing bugs, writing and maintaining tests, and implementing small features under the guidance of more experienced developers. You'll likely participate in code reviews, collaborate closely with product managers and designers, and be encouraged to learn best practices in coding and version control. The environment is typically supportive, with regular feedback and opportunities to ask questions, making it a great setting for professional growth. Over time, you may gradually take on more complex assignments and begin to contribute to architectural discussions.

What is the difference between Junior Rails Developer vs Ruby on Rails Developer?

AspectJunior Rails DeveloperRuby on Rails Developer
Experience LevelEntry-level, 0-2 yearsMid to senior level, 2+ years
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in development, learning codebaseDesigning, developing, maintaining Rails applications
Required SkillsBasic Ruby/Rails knowledge, eagerness to learnStrong Ruby/Rails skills, problem-solving
Work EnvironmentStartups, small teams, internshipsEstablished companies, tech firms, agencies

The main difference between a Junior Rails Developer and a Ruby on Rails Developer lies in experience and responsibilities. Junior Rails Developers are typically entry-level, focusing on learning and assisting with tasks, while Ruby on Rails Developers have more experience and handle complex development projects independently.

What does a Junior Rails Developer do?

A Junior Rails Developer is an entry-level software engineer who works with Ruby on Rails, a popular web development framework. Their responsibilities typically include writing and maintaining code, fixing bugs, collaborating with other developers, and learning best practices for web application development. Junior Rails Developers often assist in building features, performing tests, and ensuring applications run smoothly while gaining experience and mentorship from more senior team members.

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

To thrive as a Junior Rails Developer, you need a solid understanding of Ruby, Ruby on Rails framework, basic front-end languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and a relevant degree or coding bootcamp experience. Familiarity with tools like Git, PostgreSQL or MySQL, and test frameworks such as RSpec is typically expected. Strong problem-solving skills, eagerness to learn, and effective communication help you collaborate within development teams and grow in the role. These skills are important because they enable you to build, maintain, and improve web applications efficiently while adapting to evolving project requirements.
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Junior Rails Developer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Junior Rails Developer job openings:
Developer Sr

$81/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

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


Northwestern University rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 539 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department: MCC Information Technology
Salary/Grade: ITS/81
Target hiring range for this position will be between $99,000 - $112,000 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/
Job Summary:
Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering is seeking a curious, collaborative, and adaptable Senior Software Developer to join our application development team.
This role focuses on designing, developing, and supporting modern web applications, internal platforms, and data-driven systems that support faculty, staff, researchers, and students across the McCormick community.
Our team maintains a portfolio of existing institutional applications while also building new systems focused on connected data, modern user experiences, automation, and emerging AI-enabled workflows. Current initiatives include the continued development of a centralized data warehouse platform, modernization of faculty systems and workflows, and exploration of AI-assisted tools and development practices.
The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex problems, collaborating closely with stakeholders, and learning new technologies in a rapidly evolving software landscape. We are looking for someone who is excited about modern software engineering practices, thoughtful system design, and building applications that improve how people work and interact with information. The ideal candidate is comfortable navigating ambiguity, taking initiative, and helping shape technical approaches in a collaborative environment.
This role balances hands-on development with thoughtful collaboration to support evolving institutional needs and modern application experiences.
This is a hybrid position with one day per week on-site and four days remote.
Specific Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning
  • Provides application development leadership for new and existing software applications.
  • Partners with user in designing features for technology.
  • Provides recommendation on how to enhance system for future growth.
  • Advises/recommends project and activities as related to system/architectural direction and strategy.
Administration
  • Develops and implements procedures for data security, management and compliance
  • Creates and maintains code documentation.
  • Creates ad hoc administrative reports.
  • Delivers system presentations and overviews.
  • Evaluates feature/upgrade/change requests and recommends action.
  • Researches new technologies to enhance current system.
Development
  • Provides technical leadership on projects.
  • Acts as subject matter expert (SME) in appropriate technologies and business domain.
  • Designs, codes, tests, debugs and documents all phases of applications development.
  • Codes software applications adhering to designs supporting internal business requirements or external user.
  • Troubleshoots complex, difficult issues.
  • Designs databases and data structures.
  • Provides recommendations on how to enhance system to meet full business requirements.
  • Determines project feasibility and how to integrate with current system.
Supervises
  • Provides work direction to team members.
  • Supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
  • Coaches and mentors staff.
  • Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations.
  • Provides input to staff assignments.
  • Provides input to performance evaluations for junior team members.
Miscellaneous
Performed other duties
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)
  • Bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related field; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
  • 4 years relevant experience required.
  • Digital repository
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Apache
  • Code Repositories (Git, Subversion)
  • Identity Management/Provisioning
  • Information Security
  • Ldap
  • Linux Operating System
  • Mac Os X Operating System
  • Service Orienteted Architecture (SOA)
  • SQL/MySQL/Postgres
  • CSS
  • HTML 5
  • JavaScript
  • JQuery
  • PHP
  • Python
  • RubyOnRails
  • SAS
  • XML
  • Laravel
  • FERPA
  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Warehouse Design/Develop
  • Database Design/ Data Structure
  • Debugging
  • Decision Making
  • Judgment
  • Problem Solving
  • Troubleshooting
  • Code Documentation
  • Collaboration And Teamwork
  • Facilitate Collaboration
  • Functional Documentation
  • Iterative & Incremental Development
  • Workflow Development & Documentation
Other:
  • CRM Applications, Centralized Data Platforms, Analytics & Reporting Systems
  • RESTful APIs, Identity & Authentication Integrations, GIT
  • Systems thinking, AI Workflow, Technical Documentation, Data Modeling
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
  • Experience developing modern web applications using PHP/Laravel, Ruby on Rails, or similar MVC frameworks with PostgreSQL/MySQL or comparable relational databases.
  • Strong understanding of relational database design including relationship types, ideal data storage formats and index performance.
  • Knowledge of modern browser front-end development using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, responsive design principles, and modern web standards.
  • Strong familiarity with Git-based version control workflows and collaborative software development practices.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve application, integration, and data related issues across multiple systems.
  • Understanding of modern software engineering principles including maintainability, scalability, accessibility, security, and documentation.
  • Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to adapt, learn, and contribute within a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
  • Demonstrated interest in continuous learning, thoughtful problem solving, experimentation, and modern development practices.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 3+ years of professional software development experience building modern web applications or software systems.
  • Experience working with AI-assisted development tools, coding assistants, or AI-enabled development workflows.
  • Experience experimenting with AI agents, LLM APIs, automation tooling, or intelligent application features.
  • Experience designing or supporting PostgreSQL-based systems, data pipelines, analytics systems, or centralized data platforms.
  • Experience designing user-centered applications with thoughtful UI/UX practices.
  • Experience working within higher education, research, or highly decentralized organizational environments.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern hosting environments.
  • Experience contributing to modernization efforts involving legacy systems and connected application architecture.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
  • Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and contribute effectively within a collaborative development environment.
  • Ability to apply critical thinking to technical, operational, and user-centered challenges.
  • Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Strong curiosity about emerging technologies and willingness to explore modern development approaches.
  • Ability to identify practical opportunities for automation and workflow improvement.
  • Collaborative mindset focused on thoughtful problem solving, continuous learning, experimentation, and knowledge sharing.
  • Understanding of user-centered design principles and modern application experiences.
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and contribute to evolving technical solutions and modernization efforts.
  • Interest in modern software engineering practices, AI-assisted workflows, and continuous improvement.
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 .

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