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Network Programming Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Lead, Network Engineer - AI

Chicago, IL · Remote

$104K - $144K/yr

The Lead Network Engineer will be the technical SME for our enterprise WAN, remote LAN/WLAN, and data center SDWAN network services. This role is responsible for engineering, implementing, and ...

Lead, Network Engineer - AI

Chicago, IL · Remote

$104K - $144K/yr

The Lead Network Engineer will be the technical SME for our enterprise WAN, remote LAN/WLAN, and data center SDWAN network services. This role is responsible for engineering, implementing, and ...

Lead, Network Engineer - AI

Chicago, IL · Remote

$104K - $144K/yr

The Lead Network Engineer will be the technical SME for our enterprise WAN, remote LAN/WLAN, and data center SDWAN network services. This role is responsible for engineering, implementing, and ...

Sr. Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$107K - $146K/yr

The Senior Network Engineer designs, builds, implements, automates, and supports complex network solutions that enable secure, scalable, and highly available enterprise systems. This role provides ...

Network Engineer Location : Franklin Park, IL Job Type : Permanent Full Time Experience working with Nexus 5K, 7K switches Experience with ASA firewall Experience with F5 loadbalancer CCNA or CCNP ...

Network Engineer Team Lead

Waukegan, IL

$96K - $133K/yr

Network Engineer Team Lead Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Keep Uline connected. As a Network Engineer Team Lead at Uline, you'll drive the design, reliability ...

Proactively monitor the network and provide capacity planning * Participate in the on-call support rotation and some weekend work * Mentor junior engineers from a technical perspective Requirements

Chief Innovation Officer Status: Full-Time The Jr. Network Engineer reporting to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for the provisioning, installation, configuration, operation, and ...

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$100K - $110K/yr

Exempt The Network Engineer II position will have a strong networking foundation and hands-on experience in Operational Technology (OT) environments to support and scale our energy infrastructure ...

Network Architecture & Engineering * Design and maintain enterprise network architecture, including LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, cloud connectivity (Azure), and telephony/network integrations.

Network Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site +1

$80K - $100K/yr

Must have experience in network engineering/support within enterprise environments * Strong knowledge of routing and switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, STP, etc.) * Hands-on experience ...

Network Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site +1

$80K - $100K/yr

Must have experience in network engineering/support within enterprise environments * Strong knowledge of routing and switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, STP, etc.) * Hands-on experience ...

Network Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site +1

$80K - $100K/yr

Sentinel Technologies is seeking a highly skilled Network Engineer with CCNP level expertise in Routing and Switching. This is a high-impact role requiring deep technical knowledge, and strong ...

Network Architecture & Engineering * Design and maintain enterprise network architecture, including LAN, WAN, SD-WAN, Wi-Fi, VPN, cloud connectivity (Azure), and telephony/network integrations.

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Network Programming information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$61.3K

$126.8K

$410.8K

How much do network programming jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for network programming in Chicago, IL is $126,807.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,600.00 and $132,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical daily responsibilities for someone working in a Network Programming role?

In a Network Programming role, your daily tasks often include writing and testing code for network applications, analyzing network performance, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. You might work closely with network engineers and system administrators to design efficient data transfer protocols or optimize network traffic. Regular responsibilities may also involve updating legacy network software, incorporating new security features, and documenting network processes for future reference. This collaborative and multifaceted role requires frequent communication with other technical teams to ensure that network solutions meet organizational needs and performance standards.

What tech jobs pay $400,000 a year?

In network programming and related high-level tech roles, senior network architects, security directors, and principal engineers can earn $400,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require expertise in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies, along with strong problem-solving skills and strategic planning abilities.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior network engineers or network architects with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and specialized skills can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or other incentives and typically requires years of expertise in network design, security, and management.

What does a network programmer do?

A network programmer designs, develops, and maintains software that enables communication between computers and devices over networks. They work with protocols, network security, and programming languages like C or Python to create efficient and secure network applications. Knowledge of network architecture and tools such as Wireshark is often essential for this role.

What is a Network Programming job?

A Network Programming job involves developing software that enables communication between computers and devices over a network. This role requires knowledge of networking protocols, socket programming, and efficient data transmission techniques. Network programmers work on applications such as real-time communication systems, cloud services, and distributed systems. They often use languages like C, C++, Python, or Java to implement networking solutions. Strong problem-solving skills and an understanding of security principles are essential for success in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Network Programming position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Network Programming, you need a strong background in computer networking concepts, programming languages (such as C/C++, Python, or Java), and an understanding of network protocols (like TCP/IP and UDP). Familiarity with tools like Wireshark, network simulators, and certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) are highly valued. Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively are important soft skills for this position. These competencies ensure you can design, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize networked systems effectively in dynamic technical environments.

How much do network programmers make?

Network programmers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Skilled knowledge of networking protocols, programming languages, and tools like Cisco or Wireshark can influence earning potential.
What are the most commonly searched types of Network Programming jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Network Programming jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Network Programming jobs in Chicago, IL? For Network Programming jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Network Programming jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Network Programming jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Network Programming job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,807 per year, or $61 per hour.
Lead, Network Engineer - AI

Lead, Network Engineer - AI

Humana

Chicago, IL • Remote

$104K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Humana rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 262 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

159th of 281 rated insurance


Job description

Become a part of our caring community
The Lead, Network Engineer designs, analyzes, plans and modifies network components supporting customer communication implementation activities. The Lead, Network Engineer works on problems of diverse scope and complexity ranging from moderate to substantial.

The Lead Network Engineer will be the technical SME for our enterprise WAN, remote LAN/WLAN, and data center SDWAN network services. This role is responsible for engineering, implementing, and operating a multi-vendor SD-WAN environment, scalable campus/branch switching and wireless, and resilient remote branch solutions. You will serve as the escalation point for complex routing, overlay, and authentication issues, including RADIUS/TACACS+. Additionally, you will provide technical leadership to a team of network engineers. You will also work closely with the Lead Network Architect and Principal Network Architect through structured technical solution peer reviews.

Responsibilities

Engineering & Design

  • Lead the end-to-end design of multi-vendor SD-WAN solutions (Cisco SD-WAN/Viptela, Meraki, Fortinet, Aruba, Palo Alto, etc.) across global branch and remote office locations.
  • Design and maintain secure and scalable data center solutions to terminate SD-WAN overlays, VPNs, and remote-site connectivity.
  • Develop robust WAN, campus, and data center routing designs using BGP and OSPF, including route redistribution, policy-based routing, and traffic engineering.
  • Design resilient, standardized remote LAN solutions (access/distribution) including VLANs, spanning-tree strategy, link aggregation, and QoS.
  • Build and test enterprise wireless solutions for remote and campus locations, including SSID design, authentication/authorization policies, RF design standards, and guest access.
  • Own the design and lifecycle of RADIUS and TACACS+ solutions for network device access control, 802.1X, and Wi-Fi authentication, including high availability and redundancy.
  • Collaborate with the Lead Network Architect and Principal Network Architect to ensure solution designs align with enterprise architecture principles, target-state roadmaps, and security standards.

Implementation & Operations

  • Lead the deployment and configuration of SD-WAN overlays, routing policies, segmentation, and security policies across multiple platforms.
  • Oversee implementation of switching, routing, and wireless solutions for new sites, data center expansions, and network refresh projects.
  • Serve as the highest-level escalation point for complex incidents involving SD-WAN overlays, routing instability, LAN/WLAN issues, and AAA (RADIUS/TACACS+) failures.
  • Define and maintain network configuration standards, templates, and golden configurations for SD-WAN, LAN, WLAN, and routing.
  • Collaborate closely with security, platform, and applications teams to ensure network designs meet security, performance, and availability requirements.

Governance, Peer Review & Documentation

  • Participate in structured technical solution peer reviews with the Lead Network Architect and Principal Network Architect, presenting low-level designs (LLDs), implementation approaches, and migration plans for feedback and approval.
  • Review and provide feedback on designs produced by other engineers to ensure consistency with standard guidelines and operational best practices.
  • Develop and maintain detailed network diagrams, design documents, and runbooks for SD-WAN, LAN/WLAN, data center, and AAA infrastructure.
  • Contribute to or lead network automation efforts (e.g., Ansible, Python, APIs) to streamline configuration, compliance checks, and deployments across SD-WAN and LAN.
  • Define monitoring and observability standards (NetFlow/sFlow, SNMP, syslog, telemetry) for all network domains; work with NOC/operations on alerting and dashboards.
  • Assist in capacity planning, performance analysis, and continual service improvement for WAN, LAN/WLAN, and data center connectivity.

Leadership & Collaboration

  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to network engineers and operations staff; review designs and changes for quality and consistency.
  • Work in close partnership with the Lead Network Architect and Principal Network Architect to translate high-level architecture into implementable, supportable solutions.
  • Participate in and sometimes lead cross-functional solution reviews and present to the change advisory board (CAB).
  • Engage with vendors and service providers for solution evaluation, design improvements, and problem escalation.
  • Contribute to network strategy and roadmap planning, identifying opportunities for modernization, consolidation, and cost optimization.
  • Ability to translate business requirements into scalable, supportable network designs.
  • Strong documentation, communication, and presentation skills; comfortable discussing designs with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Leadership mindset with the ability to guide, mentor, and influence other engineers.
  • High degree of ownership, initiative, and accountability in a fast-moving environment.
  • A minimum standard speed for optimal performance of 25x10 (25mpbs download x 10mpbs upload) is required.
  • Satellite and Wireless Internet service is NOT allowed for this role.
  • A dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information

Use your skills to make an impact

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • Ability to pass a background investigation to obtain an ADP II Security Clearance.
  • 7+ years of hands-on experience in enterprise network engineering, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead role.
  • Proven experience designing, deploying, and supporting more than one enterprise-scale SD-WAN platform (Cisco SD-WAN/Viptela, Meraki SD-WAN, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, Aruba EdgeConnect, etc.).
  • Strong expertise in dynamic routing protocols:BGP: eBGP/iBGP design, route filtering, communities, path manipulation, and troubleshooting.OSPF: multi-area design, route summarization, LSA types, and convergence tuning.
  • Solid experience with enterprise switching:VLANs, 802.1Q trunking, STP/RSTP/MST, EtherChannel/LACP, and QoS.
  • Experience with enterprise wireless networking:Centralized controllers or cloud-managed Wi-Fi, RF fundamentals, roaming, guest and secure SSIDs, and 802.1X-based authentication.
  • Hands-on experience in designing, deploying, and supporting RADIUS and TACACS+ solutions (e.g., Cisco ISE, Forescout, ClearPass, or similar) for device admin and network access control.
  • Experience working with Infoblox (DDI) and remote site IP addressing design.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills across SD-WAN overlay/underlay, routing, and AAA-related issues using tools such as packet captures, flow data, and detailed logs.
  • Experience working in mission-critical, highly available network environments.
  • Experience working with Data Center Colocation facilities and virtual network fabric provided by vendors such as Equinix and Mega-Port.
  • 2 or more years of project leadership experience
  • Must be passionate about contributing to an organization focused on continuously improving consumer experiences

Preferred Qualifications

  • Relevant certifications such as:Cisco: CCNP Enterprise, CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure or equivalent level of expertise.Other vendors: NSE (Fortinet), Aruba/HP networking, or equivalent.
  • Practical experience leveraging AI tools in a network engineering context, such as:Claude, Gemini, GitHub Copilot (or similar tools) for design assistance, documentation generation, troubleshooting guides, and code review of network automation scripts.
  • Experience with agentic AI and automation patterns, including:Designing and working with AI agents, orchestration frameworks, or MCP-style gateways to interact with network APIs, monitoring platforms, and ticketing systems.We build or maintain Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for network configurations using tools like Terraform, Ansible, or similar ones. We integrate network automation and validation into CI/CD pipelines, such as GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps, for purposes like configuration testing, compliance checks, and staged rollouts.
  • Familiarity with zero-trust networking concepts, segmentation, and integration with firewalls and security services (Zscaler ZIA, ZPA).
  • Experience in hybrid cloud connectivity (AWS/Azure/GCP) and integrating SD-WAN with cloud on-ramps.
  • Background in strict change control operations and change management processes.

Additional Information

  • Implement (perform build/deploy) - with appropriate change ticketing/coordination;
  • Perform post implementation validation/verification and performance testing - document results and provide to Humana; Participate in On-Call rotation;
  • Perform after-hours solutions implementation;
  • Support other teams as needed, after-hours;

Work-At-Home Requirements

  • WAH requirements: Must have the ability to provide a high speed DSL or cable modem for a home office. Associates or contractors who live and work from home in the state of California will be provided payment for their internet expense.
  • A minimum standard speed for optimal performance of 25x10 (25mpbs download x 10mpbs upload) is required.
  • Satellite and Wireless Internet service is NOT allowed for this role.
  • A dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information
Work at Home Requirements: To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees' ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.


$117,600 - $161,700 per year


This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, "Humana") offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.
About us
About Humana: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is a leading U.S. healthcare company. Through our Humana insurance services and our CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health - delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare and Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer atHumana.comand atCenterWell.com.


Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.


What Humana employees say

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Humana logo

About Humana

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, KY., is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the nation with whom the company has relationships.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Louisville, KY, US

Year founded

1961

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