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Network Operations Center Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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Network Operations Center Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$48.9K

$115.6K

$156.5K

How much do network operations center engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for network operations center engineer in Illinois is $115,590.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,100.00 and $156,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Network Operations Center engineer do?

A Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineer is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting network systems to ensure optimal performance and uptime. They handle network issues, respond to outages or alerts, and often work with other IT teams to resolve complex problems. NOC Engineers also perform routine maintenance, apply updates, and document incidents to help prevent future issues. Their role is critical in supporting business continuity and minimizing network downtime.

What are some common challenges faced by a Network Operations Center engineer, and how are they typically addressed?

Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of alerts, troubleshooting complex network issues under time pressure, and coordinating with multiple teams to resolve incidents. These challenges are typically addressed by following standardized incident response protocols, utilizing advanced monitoring tools, and participating in regular training to stay updated with the latest technologies. Additionally, strong communication skills and effective collaboration with other IT departments are crucial for resolving issues efficiently and minimizing downtime.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Network Operations Center engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Network Operations Center Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking protocols, troubleshooting, and system monitoring, typically supported by a degree in IT or related certifications like CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA. Familiarity with network management tools, ticketing systems, and monitoring platforms such as SolarWinds, Nagios, or Splunk is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you respond quickly to incidents and work efficiently within a team. These competencies are vital for ensuring network uptime, minimizing disruptions, and maintaining organizational productivity.

What is the difference between Network Operations Center Engineer vs Network Support Specialist?

AspectNetwork Operations Center EngineerNetwork Support Specialist
CertificationsCCNA, CompTIA Network+CCNA, CompTIA Network+
Work Environment24/7 NOC, monitoring and managing network infrastructureHelp desk, troubleshooting user issues, on-site or remote support
Industry UsageTelecom, ISPs, large enterprisesSmall to medium businesses, IT service providers

The Network Operations Center Engineer and Network Support Specialist roles share certifications and work environments focused on network management. However, NOC Engineers typically handle ongoing network monitoring, incident response, and infrastructure management in large organizations, while Network Support Specialists focus on troubleshooting and resolving user or client network issues, often in smaller settings.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Network Operations Center Engineer jobs in IL?

For Network Operations Center Engineer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Network Operations Center Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,590 per year, or $55.6 per hour.

Junior Network Engineer

Scott Air Force Base, IL • On-site

Trace Systems
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 201 - 500 employees

$60K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Coordinate network requirements with users, site personnel, and higher-tier engineering support.

  • Perform system-administration tasks on Microsoft Active Directory networks and operate network monitoring tools to support troubleshooting.

  • Create, update, and verify incident tickets, including descriptions, actions taken, and resolution details.


Job description

Job Overview
Job Title: Junior Network Engineer
Location: Scott AFB, Illinois
Job Responsibilities
Trace Systems is seeking a Junior Network Engineer to provide Tier I network operations, user coordination, monitoring, Active Directory support, ticket documentation, and troubleshooting assistance for EACN at Scott AFB. The project associated with this position is currently in the proposal stage.
  • Coordinate network requirements with users, site personnel, and higher-tier engineering support.
  • Perform system-administration tasks on Microsoft Active Directory networks.
  • Operate Government-furnished network monitoring tools, including SolarWinds, to provide real-time statistics and support troubleshooting.
  • Create, update, and verify incident tickets, including accurate descriptions, actions taken, and resolution details.
  • Support the Air Force Network Operations Center, Network Operations Division, 26th Network Operations Group Detachment 2, Network Security Division, and AFCERT requirements.
  • Assist with routine network checks, user coordination, documentation, escalation, and restoration of service.
  • Maintain technical publications and support accountability for assigned EACN equipment when designated.

In accordance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, the following pay scale and benefits information is being provided as required for positions subject to Illinois pay transparency requirements.
Salary Minimum: $60,000
Salary Maximum: $78,000
The base salary range above represents the low and high end of the Trace salary range for this position. Actual salaries may vary above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. In addition, Trace provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, company holidays and paid time off (PTO).
Minimum Qualifications
  • Active, in-scope US Government issued Secret clearance (minimum); higher-level eligibility may be required based on assigned access.
  • Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, US Citizenship is required.
  • Candidates must meet the applicable DoD 8140 qualification requirements for the assigned work role. DoD 8140 Work Role(s): 441 Network Operations Specialist, Proficiency Level: Basic; and may qualify through education, military training, certifications, or a combination thereof.
  • Qualifying 8140 credentials include a Bachelors degree in Computer Science or Cybersecurity or Data Science or Information Systems or Information Technology or Software Engineering or completion of relevant military communications or network training.
  • Qualifying 8140 certifications may include CND, Network+, or other DoD 8140-approved certifications. Higher proficiency-level or equivalent DoD 8140-approved certifications applicable to the assigned work role may also be accepted.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to coordinate effectively with technical and non-technical personnel.
  • Ability to work in a secure DoD environment and comply with applicable Air Force, installation, and program security requirements.
  • 1+ year of IT support, network operations, system administration, or technical customer-support experience.
  • Current CompTIA Network+ certification, or ability to obtain it within six months of employment.
  • DoD-approved IA baseline certification commensurate with the position, or ability to obtain it within six months.
  • Working knowledge of TCP/IP, network monitoring, Microsoft Active Directory, ticketing, and troubleshooting.

Desired Qualification
  • Experience supporting Air Force users, classified networks, EACN, A2G2, SolarWinds, or ServiceNow.
  • Relevant military communications, help desk, network operations, or technical training.
  • Prior military service or experience supporting Department of Defense or U.S. Air Force customers.
  • Experience supporting mission-essential communications in distributed, multi-site environments.

Education
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training or associate degree in information technology preferred.

Trace Systems
Trace Systems Inc. was founded to support and defend our nation's security interests at home and abroad-- whenever and wherever. We provide enterprise IT, engineering, full life-cycle communications, cybersecurity, cloud and virtualization services and solutions to the United States Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
To Apply: We invite you to put your talents to work by joining a growing team of dynamic professionals here at Trace Systems! Be part of a culture at our leading-edge company where you can achieve great things while fostering a satisfying and rewarding career progression. To learn more about our current openings, text 'tracejobs' to 97211 or apply directly through our website at: www.tracesystems.com. #jointracesystems
Trace Systems is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.