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

Parallel Works

Junior HPC Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

... premises system with burst capacity it did not have before, and getting a domain code written ... About the role Parallel Works is hiring a Junior HPC Systems Engineer to learn supercomputing ...

Parallel Works

Junior HPC Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

... premises system with burst capacity it did not have before, and getting a domain code written ... About the role Parallel Works is hiring a Junior HPC Systems Engineer to learn supercomputing ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Controls Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art ... Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and ...

Gotion Inc.

Junior Controls Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art ... Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Process Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Junior Process Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ... related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Controls Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art ... Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and ...

Gotion Inc.

Junior Process Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable ... Junior Process Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Equipment Engineer

Manteno, IL

Junior Equipment Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ... related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Process Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable ... Junior Process Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ...

Gotion Inc.

Junior Equipment Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable ... Junior Equipment Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ...

Gotion, Inc.

Junior Equipment Engineer

Manteno, IL · On-site

... related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable ... Junior Equipment Engineer Location: Manteno, Illinois Company Overview Gotion Inc. is based in ...

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All JobsSystem Engineer JobsJunior System Engineer JobsJunior System Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Junior System Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$24.7K

$88K

$151.9K

How much do junior system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior system engineer in Chicago, IL is $87,984.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,400.00 and $90,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by junior system engineers during their first year on the job?

Junior System Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to complex IT infrastructures, learning to troubleshoot unfamiliar hardware and software issues, and balancing multiple support requests from different teams. It can take time to become proficient with proprietary systems and tools used by the organization. Collaboration with senior engineers and continuous learning through documentation and hands-on experience are key to overcoming these hurdles and building confidence in the role.

What does a junior system engineer do?

A Junior System Engineer assists in maintaining and supporting an organization’s IT infrastructure. Their responsibilities typically include installing and configuring hardware and software, monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and providing technical support to users. They often work under the supervision of senior engineers to ensure systems run efficiently and securely. This entry-level role is ideal for individuals looking to build foundational skills in systems administration and engineering.

What is the difference between Junior System Engineer vs Network Administrator?

AspectJunior System EngineerNetwork Administrator
Required CertificationsCompTIA A+, Network+, Cisco CCNA (preferred)CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, or equivalent
Work EnvironmentIT departments, tech companies, supporting system infrastructureNetwork operations centers, corporate IT teams, managing network hardware
Employer & Industry UsageTechnology, finance, healthcare, and other sectors with IT infrastructureOrganizations with complex network systems, ISPs, large enterprises
Common Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level, supporting system setup and maintenanceNetwork management, troubleshooting, and security

The Junior System Engineer and Network Administrator roles share overlapping skills in IT support and certifications but focus on different areas. The Junior System Engineer primarily supports overall system infrastructure, while the Network Administrator specializes in managing and securing network systems. Both roles are essential in maintaining organizational IT health and often work closely together in tech environments.

Is a junior system engineer a stressful job?

A junior system engineer role can involve stress due to troubleshooting technical issues, managing system uptime, and meeting project deadlines. However, the level of stress varies depending on the work environment, workload, and support from team members. Developing strong problem-solving skills and gaining relevant certifications can help manage job-related stress.

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

To excel as a Junior System Engineer, you need a foundational understanding of computer systems, networking, and operating systems, usually supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with system administration tools, virtualization platforms, and basic scripting languages, as well as certifications like CompTIA or Microsoft MCSA, is highly beneficial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with teams and address technical challenges efficiently. These competencies ensure reliable system operation, quick troubleshooting, and seamless support for business technology needs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Junior System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior System Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,051 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Junior Trading Systems Engineer

Hudson River Trading

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Hudson River Trading (HRT) is seeking a Junior Trading Systems Engineer to join our growing Trading Systems Infrastructure team. This team designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure that powers our global trading, and is responsible for ensuring optimal performance and uptime of the ultra low-latency operating systems, automation software, and development tools that allow our trading strategies to run worldwide 24/7.
As a Junior Trading Systems Engineer, you'll work on projects focusing on our real-time production trading environment and tackle problems that require high availability, high throughput, and ultra low-latency solutions. The ideal candidate possesses a passion for coding and automation, is eager to learn new skills to help build an elegant stack, and has the ability to handle challenging technical issues within a dynamic and fast-paced environment. 
Responsibilities

  • Manage worldwide Linux-based trading infrastructure by contributing to the planning and execution of complex technical projects and tasks
  • Troubleshoot hardware and software issues across the stack 
  • Plan and implement system installations and upgrades 
  • Deploy, configure, and test internal and external applications 
  • Improve documentation and reduce technical debt
  • Benchmark the performance of the trading stack, working with subject matter experts across the organization
  • Join an on-call rotation schedule to cover trading hours and weekend shifts, as needed

Qualifications

  • 2+ years of relevant experience managing Linux systems: you can install packages, manage users, control services, and know where to look for system logs, and you understand TCP/IP networking, default gateways, and how to debug connectivity problems
  • Familiarity installing and configuring Linux systems, from hardware and networking to kernel to applications 
  • Knowledge of Debian/Ubuntu is desirable
  • Basic familiarity with configuration management tools, particularly SaltStack - some knowledge of Puppet, Ansible, Chef, or CFEngine is also desirable
  • Project Management Skills
  • Proven programming experience: you don't just know what big-O notation is, you've also built working software and can explain and defend your design
  • Basic shell (bash) scripting experience
  • Experience using JIRA
  • Strong cross-functional communication and organization skills
  • Experience with production systems, as well as some cloud experience in AWS or GCP, is desirable but not required

The estimated base salary range for this position is 120,000 to 160,000 USD per year (or local equivalent). The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This role will also be eligible for discretionary performance-based bonuses and a competitive benefits package.

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