ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Network Engineer I Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Cornerstone Defense

Network Engineer I

Belleville, IL · On-site

$55 - $75K/hr

Network Engineer I - Joint Fires Network (JFN) Location: Scott AFB, IL Compensation Range: $55 - $75k Clearance: * Active DoD Top Secret required* Schedule: Rotating w/ 10% Travel Company Overview:

Leidos

Network Engineer I

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$50K - $91K/yr

The Digital Sector of Leidos has multiple openings in our Joint Fires Network (JFN) NOC for a Network Engineer I supporting our Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) program at Scott ...

Leidos

Network Engineer I

Scott Air Force Base, IL · On-site

$50K - $91K/yr

Description The Digital Sector of Leidos has multiple openings in our Joint Fires Network (JFN) NOC for a Network Engineer I supporting our Global Solutions Management-Operations II (GSMO-II) program ...

Leidos

Network Engineer

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Hiring for Network Engineer I, Network Engineer II, and Network Engineer III POSITION SUMMARY: Our customer, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), acts as the provider of GIG/Defense Information ...

Leidos

Network Engineer

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

Hiring for Network Engineer I, Network Engineer II, and Network Engineer III POSITION SUMMARY: Our customer, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), acts as the provider of GIG/Defense Information ...

C3EL

Network Engineer

Scott Air Force Base, IL · On-site

Network Engineer Security Clearance: Top Secret Location : Scott AFB, IL (Due to the nature of the ... Experience with MS Office suite, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, TEAMs. * Experience ...

C3EL

IL · On-site

Network Engineer Security Clearance: Top Secret Location : Scott AFB, IL (Due to the nature of the ... Experience with MS Office suite, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, TEAMs. * Experience ...

C3EL

Network Engineer

Scott Air Force Base, IL · On-site

Network Engineer Security Clearance: Top Secret Location : Scott AFB, IL (Due to the nature of the ... Experience with MS Office suite, i.e. Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, TEAMs. * Experience ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsNetwork Engineer I JobsNetwork Engineer I Jobs in Illinois

Network Engineer I information

See Illinois salary details

$30K

$105.7K

$153.1K

How much do network engineer i jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for network engineer i in Illinois is $105,662.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,200.00 and $129,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Network Engineer I vs Network Administrator?

AspectNetwork Engineer INetwork Administrator
CertificationsCCNA, CompTIA Network+CCNA, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentDesign, implement, troubleshoot network solutionsMaintain, monitor, and support existing networks
Job FocusBuilding and optimizing network infrastructureManaging daily network operations
Common UsageUsed in roles focused on network deployment and configurationUsed in roles emphasizing network maintenance and support

While both roles require similar certifications and work in network environments, Network Engineer I primarily focuses on designing and implementing network solutions, whereas Network Administrator handles ongoing network management and troubleshooting. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Network Engineer I jobs in Illinois?

For Network Engineer I jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Network Engineer I jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Network Engineer I jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Network Engineer I jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Network Engineer I job openings:

Network Engineer I jobs near you
Infographic showing various Network Engineer I job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,662 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Network Engineer I

Cornerstone Defense

Belleville, IL • On-site

$55 - $75K/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

  • Location: Belleville, Illinois
  • Type: Contract
  • Job #4054

Title: Network Engineer I - Joint Fires Network (JFN)
Location: Scott AFB, IL
Compensation Range: $55 - $75k
Clearance: * Active DoD Top Secret required*
Schedule: Rotating w/ 10% Travel
Company Overview:
Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense.
Benefits Overview:
Cornerstone Defense offers a very comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Plans * Generous PTO Policy * 401(k) * HSA and FSA options * Life and Disability Insurance * Tuition Reimbursement and Training * Perks at Work Discount Program * Referral Program * Leads Generation Program * CollegeAmerica 529 * Fitness Reimbursement Program * Travel Assistance * Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions * Life Planning Financial & Legal Services *
Position Description:
The Network Engineer II executes real-time network operations, analysis, troubleshooting, and change management across DISN transport and IP infrastructure. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, operational awareness, and customer-focused communication to maintain maximum network availability and support critical DoD missions. Engineers work in a 24x7 environment and coordinate directly with customers, government agencies, O&M teams, and higher-tier engineering organizations.
Core Tasks:
  • Execute network operations including configuration, analysis, and support of customer circuits across optical platforms, multiplexers, routers, and switches.
  • Perform real-time circuit redesign and alternate routing to restore connectivity during outages, maintenance, or service degradations.
  • Work directly with internal/external customers, government agencies, and higher-tier engineering teams to ensure maximum network availability.
  • Proactively monitor network alarms using platform-specific tools and identify service-impacting conditions.
  • Conduct change-management tasks including hardware replacement, software configuration adjustments, and ASI execution.
  • Utilize incident management applications to document outages, degradations, troubleshooting steps, escalations, and resolutions throughout the lifecycle of network incidents.
  • Assess, identify, and recommend solutions to network issues using foundational knowledge of routers, switches, crypto devices, routing, Cisco, Juniper, MSPP, optical transport systems, MPLS, TDM, and SDH/SONET.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree and less than 2 years relevant experience, or equivalent education/experience combination.
  • DoD-8570 IAT Level II certification (Security+ CE or equivalent) prior to start date.
  • Ability to work in a 24x7 shift environment.
  • General understanding of both IP and Transport network topologies.

Preferred:
  • Experience in a tech control facility or cyber transport environment.
  • Exposure to circuit actions, vendor coordination, or IP/Transport architecture.
  • Experience with SolarWinds and Jira.
  • Telco NOC, inside plant, or outside plant experience.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Teams).
  • Experience in one or more areas: alarm surveillance, fault management, LAN maintenance, performance management, change management.

Apply