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Network Engineer Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

NextRow Digital

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

NextRow is looking to hire a Network Engineer (contract role). Any experience in Hospitality industryis a big plus. This role has both operational and strategic responsibilities, along with ...

NextRow Digital

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

NextRow is looking to hire a Network Engineer (contract role). Any experience in Hospitality industry is a big plus. This role has both operational and strategic responsibilities, along with ...

Apex Informatics

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Contract Work authorization: Cannot work with OPT or CPT Rate: 50/hr W2 Focus is on data and ... Reporting to the Network Manager, the Senior Network Engineer is seen as a technical expert in ...

Saxon Global

Network Engineer

Lake Forest, IL

Network Engineer Job Duration: 6 Month Contract Interview Method: Phone then In Person Address: Lake Forest Illinois Responsible for installing and maintaining all LAN/WAN voice and data ...

Collabera

Network Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

... contract Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving and analytical skills, with Wireshark and Putty a plus Experience with IP Routing and Switching required Information Security theory and best ...

Sonoma Consulting Inc.

Contract DevOps Engineer

Chicago, IL

$54.25 - $74.50/hr

... Engineer (Contract) Onsite at client: 80% Start: ASAP Requirements: 4+ years of experience as a ... Advanced knowledge of network security, communications protocols, troubleshooting commands and ...

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All JobsNetwork Engineer Contract JobsNetwork Engineer Contract Jobs in Chicago, IL

Network Engineer Contract information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.9K

$112.3K

$162.8K

How much do network engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for network engineer contract in Chicago, IL is $112,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,700.00 and $137,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Network Engineer Contract vs Network Engineer Full-Time?

AspectNetwork Engineer ContractNetwork Engineer Full-Time
CredentialsCertifications like CCNA, CCNP often requiredSame certifications typically required
Work EnvironmentTemporary projects, flexible hours, remote or onsitePermanent employment, standard hours, onsite or hybrid
Employer UsageUsed by companies for short-term needs or specialized projectsUsed for ongoing network management and infrastructure
Search & Comparison IntentHigh overlap in skills, focus on contract termsFocus on stability and benefits

In summary, Network Engineer Contract roles are temporary, project-based positions ideal for specialized tasks, while Network Engineer Full-Time roles offer stability, benefits, and ongoing responsibilities. Both require similar certifications and skills, but differ mainly in employment type and work environment.

What are Network Engineer Contracts?

Network Engineer Contracts are temporary work arrangements in which a network engineer is hired for a specific period or project, rather than as a permanent employee. Contract network engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's computer networks, often focusing on tasks like troubleshooting, upgrades, or migrations. These roles can offer flexibility, higher hourly rates, and opportunities to work on diverse projects, but may not include benefits like health insurance or paid time off. Contract positions are common in IT, especially for specialized skills or short-term needs.

What are some common challenges faced by contract network engineers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Contract network engineers often encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new organizational environments, understanding unique network infrastructures, and integrating with existing IT teams. To manage these challenges effectively, it's crucial to be proactive in communicating with key stakeholders, thoroughly document any changes made, and stay current with industry-standard protocols and tools. Building rapport with permanent staff and leveraging onboarding resources can also help streamline the transition and ensure successful project delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Network Engineer Contract, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Network Engineer Contract, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, infrastructure design, and troubleshooting, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Cisco IOS, network monitoring software, and certifications such as CCNA or CCNP are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for managing dynamic IT environments and collaborating with diverse teams. These skills ensure reliable network performance, minimize downtime, and support organizational connectivity needs in contract-based settings.
What are the most commonly searched types of Network Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Network Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Network Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL? For Network Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Network Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Network Engineer Contract jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Network Engineer Contract jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Network Engineer Contract job openings:
Network Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Network Engineer Contract job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $112,327 per year, or $54 per hour.

Network Engineer

NextRow Digital

Chicago, IL • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted yesterday

Job description


NextRow is looking to hire a Network Engineer (contract role). Any experience in Hospitality industryis a big plus. This role has both operational and strategic responsibilities, along with interaction with customers. This role will plan, coordinate, implement and deliver services to our customers and partners on a variety of platforms and vendors, including Cisco, Arista, F5, HPE/SilverPeak and Dell. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and have subject matter expertise in several network technology areas, with the ability to rapidly scale up in other areas. The Network Engineer's goal will be to deliver a high-quality product by committed delivery dates, consistently.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Design, implement and support new and existing services for customers and business partners.
• Improve performance and availability of existing networks and services.
• Research, track, document, publish, maintain and deliver on network policies and procedures.
• Work with management to improve process, procedures and reduce inefficiencies.
• Out of the box thinking - text book solutions are not always the best answer.
• Mentor, train and assist team members.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering or related field.
• Advanced knowledge of switches, firewalls ( Cisco ASA/FTD/Fortinet) and security concepts (IOS, NEXUS, Arista,VPN, ACL, STP, SNMP).
• Moderate to advanced knowledge of routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, SDWAN, GRE).
• Moderate to advanced knowledge of monitoring, scripting, assets management and troubleshooting of Firewall connectivity
• 3+ years' experience in network support, design and/or architecture on moderately complex networks (including hybrid cloud).
• 3+ years' experience with design and implantation on complex networks, including firewalls (Cisco, Fortinet, etc).
• Able to work within a team or on an individual basis.
• Flexible to work on/off shift to meet company, customer and internal requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skill sets with English
PREFERRED Skills:
• F5 (F5 Technology Specialist / Solution Expert)
• CCNP/CCIE (routing, data center, security or service provider)
• Solarwinds (Monitoring, management, scripting)
• SilverPeak SDWAN
Some of the day to day responsibilities include:
1. Expertise in setting up , troubleshooting and maintenance of IPSEC VPN tunnels on ASA firewalls and Silverpeak SDWAN appliances.
2. Expertise in setting up and troubleshooting of NAT Policies, and whitelisting on Orchestrators like FMC, Silverpeak EC, CDO etc
3. Configurations of ASA/FTD firewalls and Cisco Switches
4. Responsiveness and planning capabilities to co-ordinate with Franchise Owners to establish connectivity.
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About NextRow Digital

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NextRow Digital is the new-age digital agency that delivers the “best of both worlds” of a digital agency and a system integrator to clients looking to boost their business growth and drive higher ROI through digital transformation. We are a born-in-digital company that uniquely combines the power of technology, analytics, creative and content for digital transformation. For more than a decade, our fully integrated, creative and technical development teams have been working together to strategically create, deploy and optimize marketing content that inspires and strengthens profitable relationships between you and your customers. While we do not believe in the “one-size-fits-for-all” approach, we offer customized MarTech solutions that cater to your business requirements and enable you to reap the benefits of success.

Industry

It services

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Schaumburg, IL, US

Year founded

2008

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