ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

New Grad Network Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

IMC

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

... new services, and troubleshoot issues. Requirements: * 8+ years of dedicated network engineering ... experience * Exceptional troubleshooting capabilities across Ethernet LAN, unicast/multicast ...

Abacus Technology

Network Engineer

Belleville, IL · On-site

Provide network analysis and design services to engineer, evaluate, and recommend new technologies to meet new contract requirements and optimize network/system performance. * Assist the Government ...

1 point system

Network Engineer

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

We are seeking a Sr-Level Network Engineer to support Exelon's network refresh programs across multiple projects, including branch refreshes and real estate/customer initiatives (e.g., new site ...

Abacus Technology

Network Engineer

Belleville, IL · On-site

Provide network analysis and design services to engineer, evaluate, and recommend new technologies to meet new contract requirements and optimize network/system performance. * Assist the Government ...

IMC

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

... new services, and troubleshoot issues. Requirements: * 8+ years of dedicated network engineering ... experience * Exceptional troubleshooting capabilities across Ethernet LAN, unicast/multicast ...

Abacus Technology

Network Engineer

Belleville, IL · On-site

Provide network analysis and design services to engineer, evaluate, and recommend new technologies to meet new contract requirements and optimize network/system performance. * Assist the Government ...

IMC

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

... new services, and troubleshoot issues. Requirements: * 8+ years of dedicated network engineering ... experience * Exceptional troubleshooting capabilities across Ethernet LAN, unicast/multicast ...

Talentporte

Network Engineer

Edwardsville, IL

$45 - $50/hr

Network Engineer Position: Contract (12 months) conversion or other projects unknown after ... Lead collaboration sessions between customers and OEM partners to develop new design solutions.

NextRow Digital

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

NextRow is looking to hire a Network Engineer (contract role). Any experience in Hospitality ... Design, implement and support new and existing services for customers and business partners. • ...

NextRow Digital

Network Engineer

Chicago, IL

NextRow is looking to hire a Network Engineer (contract role). Any experience in Hospitality ... Design, implement and support new and existing services for customers and business partners.

AllSTEM Connections

Network Engineer

Decatur, IL · On-site

$176K - $187K/yr

This is a high-impact role for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of network strategy and ... into all new designs. Ensure security is a primary component of the infrastructure, not an ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsNew Grad Network Engineer JobsNew Grad Network Engineer Jobs in Illinois

New Grad Network Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$30K

$105.7K

$153.1K

How much do new grad network engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for new grad network engineer 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 are some common challenges new grad network engineers face when transitioning from academic projects to real-world network environments?

New grad network engineers often find the transition to professional settings challenging due to the complexity and scale of enterprise networks compared to academic lab environments. Real-world networks involve working with legacy systems, adhering to strict security protocols, and troubleshooting issues that may not have clear documentation. Additionally, new grads must quickly adapt to working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, such as security analysts and systems administrators, while managing multiple priorities and responding to unexpected network incidents. However, these challenges offer valuable learning opportunities and pave the way for rapid skill development.

What is the difference between New Grad Network Engineer vs Network Technician?

AspectNew Grad Network EngineerNetwork Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; certifications like Cisco CCNAHigh school diploma or associate degree; certifications like CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentDesign, implement, and troubleshoot network systems; often in office or data center settingsInstall, maintain, and repair network hardware; on-site or fieldwork
Employer & Industry UsageIT firms, telecom companies, large corporationsTelecom providers, IT support companies, small businesses

While both roles involve networking skills, a New Grad Network Engineer focuses on designing and planning networks, often requiring a degree and certifications. In contrast, a Network Technician primarily handles installation and maintenance tasks, typically with less formal education. Understanding these differences helps new professionals choose the right career path in the networking industry.

What does a new grad network engineer do?

A New Grad Network Engineer is an entry-level professional responsible for helping design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot computer networks for organizations. They typically work under the supervision of more experienced engineers to ensure network reliability, security, and performance. Their tasks may include configuring routers and switches, monitoring network activity, assisting with network upgrades, and resolving connectivity issues. New Grad Network Engineers often work with IT teams to support daily network operations and may also help document network configurations and procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a new grad network engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a New Grad Network Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking fundamentals, protocols (such as TCP/IP), and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with network hardware, configuration tools, and certifications like Cisco's CCNA are highly beneficial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring reliable network performance, troubleshooting issues efficiently, and collaborating within IT teams.
What are popular job titles related to New Grad Network Engineer jobs in Illinois? For New Grad Network Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching New Grad Network Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for New Grad Network Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for New Grad Network Engineer jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most New Grad Network Engineer job openings:
New Grad Network Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various New Grad Network Engineer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,662 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Network Engineer

IMC

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Other

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

IMC is seeking experienced Network Engineers who are passionate about building and operating cutting-edge, high-performance networks. You'll work closely with traders, developers, quants, and performance engineers to design, implement, and support the infrastructure that powers our trading business.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, implement, and support the North American networking environment. Core areas include low-latency networking, unicast and multicast routing, BGP, PIM-SM, performance tuning, gap analysis, and automation.
  • Monitor and analyze network health using existing tools while contributing ideas and development toward next-generation monitoring solutions.
  • Continuously improve the environment by contributing to automation efforts (e.g., Bash, Python, Ansible, AWX).
  • Maintain precise documentation of IMC's network architecture, configurations, and operational procedures.
  • Collaborate with external vendors, exchanges, and service providers to evaluate technology options, deploy new services, and troubleshoot issues.

Requirements:

  • 8+ years of dedicated network engineering experience
  • Exceptional troubleshooting capabilities across Ethernet LAN, unicast/multicast routing, switching, packet analysis
  • Experience with diverse network switching hardware platforms
  • Hands-on scripting/automation experience (Python, Ansible, etc.) strongly preferred
  • CCIE or CCNP certification is a plus
  • Experience in trading or financial services highly preferred

While this is a hybrid position, we expect an in-office presence in our Chicago office 3-4 times per week.

Apply