ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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

CyberCoders

Lead System Engineer

Willowbrook, IL · On-site

Lead System Engineer Lead System Engineer Position Overview We deliver the world's most advanced ... mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with security and operations teams to ensure high ...

Aplaro Ltd

Junior Trading Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Hudson River Trading (HRT) is seeking a Junior Trading Systems Engineer to join our growing Trading ... Plan and implement system installations and upgrades * Deploy, configure, and test internal and ...

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 ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$63 - $66/hr

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$46 - $48/hr

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$46 - $48/hr

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$46 - $48/hr

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$46 - $48/hr

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

SDI Presence

Junior Systems Administrator

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

Summary The Junior Systems Administrator supports the customer's day-to-day IT operations, ... system documentation, and partners with senior administrators and engineers to build technical ...

Auria

Systems Engineer - Sentinel

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70 - $175/hr

Auria is seeking an experienced System Engineer (SE) - All Levels to support the Sentinel program ... Position can be filled at Junior, Mid or Senior levels. Minimum 1 year of experience on a project ...

359557 Trivail LLC

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Provide leadership, support, and supplementation to Junior Systems Administrators and Helpdesk ... Resolve system performance and connectivity issues * Available to manage occasional escalations ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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

Junior System Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$24.7K

$88.1K

$152.1K

How much do junior system engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior system engineer in Chicago, IL is $88,051.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,400.00 and $90,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 be stressful due to the need to troubleshoot technical issues, meet project deadlines, and learn new systems quickly. However, stress levels vary depending on the work environment, workload, and support from team members. Developing strong problem-solving skills and gaining certifications can help manage job-related stress.

Is a junior system engineer an entry-level job?

Yes, a junior system engineer is typically an entry-level position that requires basic knowledge of operating systems, networking, and scripting. It often serves as a starting point for those gaining experience in system administration and IT infrastructure, with opportunities to develop skills and certifications such as CompTIA or Microsoft certifications.

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 $87,984 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Lead System Engineer

CyberCoders

Willowbrook, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Lead System Engineer

Lead System Engineer
Position Overview

We deliver the world's most advanced security technology solutions across a broad range of competencies. We analyze, assess, develop, and integrate security solutions, whether the focus is on mobile tactical platforms, critical infrastructure, or hundreds of miles of an international border. Our mission is to design and implement highly technical solutions to make our nation safer. 


We are seeking an experienced Lead System Engineer to design, implement, and maintain reliable infrastructure solutions that support mission-critical services. The ideal candidate will lead platform and network initiatives, drive projects across virtualization and physical network environments, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with security and operations teams to ensure high availability, performance, and secure configurations.
Key Responsibilities

  • Lead design, deployment, and maintenance of network infrastructure, including switches, routers, and LAN/WAN components to ensure high availability and performance.
  • Architect, implement, and manage virtualization environments (Hyper-V and other hypervisors) and associated storage and backup integrations.
  • Manage and optimize Cisco systems and configurations, including routing, switching, VLANs, and QoS.
  • Troubleshoot complex network, server, and virtualization issues; perform root cause analysis and implement long-term fixes.
  • Develop and maintain infrastructure as code, automation scripts, and runbooks using PowerShell, Bash, or configuration tools to streamline operations.
  • Collaborate with security and cloud teams to implement secure network designs, access controls, and monitoring for vulnerabilities and incidents.
  • Lead migration and upgrade projects, including hardware refreshes, virtualization platform upgrades, and cloud/adoption initiatives.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to system and network engineers, set standards and best practices, and review designs and changes.
  • Coordinate with vendors and manage support escalations for network, virtualization, and security appliances.
  • Monitor system and network health; configure and tune monitoring, logging, and alerting to meet SLA and reliability targets.

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in system and network engineering, with a strong emphasis on network infrastructure and virtualization.
  • Proven experience with Cisco networking (routing, switching, VLANs, ACLs) and enterprise switch and router platforms.
  • Hands-on experience with Hyper-V virtualization and managing virtualized workloads; familiarity with vSphere and Docker is a plus.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills for switches, routers, firewalls, and virtual environments.
  • Proficiency with network protocols and technologies (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, VPNs) and experience configuring enterprise network devices.
  • Experience automating tasks and writing scripts using PowerShell and/or Bash; knowledge of Ansible is beneficial.
  • Solid understanding of authentication, Active Directory, and identity management; familiarity with Entra and Intune is a plus.
  • Experience working with firewall platforms (FortiGate, Ubiquiti, Netgear) and endpoint protection such as SentinelOne is desirable.
  • Familiarity with Azure cloud services and hybrid architectures; experience with cloud networking and security controls is a plus.
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, vulnerability management, and incident response processes.
  • CCNA certification or equivalent network engineering certification preferred.
  • Strong communication, documentation, and leadership skills, with experience mentoring junior engineers and driving cross-team initiatives.

#Enghp

Benefits

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401K
  • PTO
- For this position, you must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship for a non-immigrant visa. This job was first posted by CyberCoders on 04/24/2026 and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or closed.Everforth CyberCoders is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, status as a crime victim, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications, and a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. A human recruiter reviews all results. Click here for details on our virtual recruiter . Everforth CyberCoders will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local law, including but not limited to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. Everforth CyberCoders is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Individuals needing special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment can contact a member of our Human Resources team at Benefits@CyberCoders.com to make arrangements.
CyberCoders logo

About CyberCoders

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CyberCoders is a cutting-edge recruiting firm headquartered in Irvine, CA, US. The company operates within the technology industry, specializing in connecting talented professionals with suitable positions across a variety of sectors. Offering a broad spectrum of services, CyberCoders uses innovative, data-driven strategies and a proprietary matching technology to pair candidates with suitable job openings. Since its inception in 1999, CyberCoders has distinguished itself as an industry trailblazer. The company's mission is to deliver effective talent solutions, thus enabling both businesses and workers to achieve their goals.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All CyberCoders Jobs