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Professional Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

IMC

Software Engineer - Risk Technology

Chicago, IL · On-site

Take ownership of projects from concept through production deployment Your Skills and Experience: * 3-5+ years of professional software engineering experience * Strong development skills in Java and ...

IMC B.V.

Software Engineer - Risk Technology

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175 - $225/hr

Take ownership of projects from concept through production deployment Your Skills and Experience * 3-5+ years of professional software engineering experience * Strong development skills in Java and ...

New

Jobtailor

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$110 - $190/hr

Requirements * 8+ years of professional software development experience * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience * Strong ...

Ritchie Bros.

Senior Software Engineer

Westchester, IL · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

Reduce technical debt and improve engineering standards Qualifications * 5-8 years of professional software engineering experience * Advanced proficiency in .NET, React, and relational databases

Compunnel

Senior Software Engineer

Lincolnshire, IL · On-site

$129K - $170K/yr

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate engineering discipline. * 6+ years of professional software engineering experience. * Strong Android development skills (Kotlin/Java), including background ...

Capital One

Lead Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

At least 4 years of professional software engineering experience (Internship experience does not apply) * At least 1 year experience with cloud computing (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud ...

MessageControl

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent industry experience. * 4+ years professional software engineering experience. * Experience with frontend development ...

MessageControl

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent industry experience. * 4+ years professional software engineering experience. * Experience with frontend development ...

KnackHook, LLC

IT Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

T Software Engineer Contract Chicago, IL, hybrid Must have : API, AWS, Azure, Elastic Search, Java, JUnit, MySQL, Spring Boot, SQL Required Education •  Degree: Bachelor ...

IMC

Software Engineer - Risk Technology

Chicago, IL · On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Take ownership of projects from concept through production deployment Your Skills and Experience: * 3-5+ years of professional software engineering experience * Strong development skills in Java and ...

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All JobsProfessional Software Engineer JobsProfessional Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Professional Software Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$65.5K

$152.1K

$211.9K

How much do professional software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional software engineer in Chicago, IL is $152,091.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,700.00 and $178,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional software engineer?

Professional software engineers are trained experts who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems to solve problems or meet user needs. They use programming languages, tools, and engineering principles to create reliable and efficient software. In addition to coding, software engineers often collaborate with other team members, participate in code reviews, and follow industry best practices to ensure high-quality software delivery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional software engineer?

To thrive as a Professional Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), software development frameworks, and cloud platforms is typically required, and certifications such as AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate can be beneficial. Excellent communication, teamwork, and adaptability are soft skills that help you collaborate effectively and navigate changing project requirements. These skills ensure you can build robust, scalable solutions while working efficiently within diverse technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by professional software engineers when working on large-scale projects?

Professional software engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as managing complex codebases, ensuring effective communication across multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining high code quality under tight deadlines. Coordinating with other engineers, testers, and product managers can be demanding, especially when handling dependencies or integrating new features. Staying updated with evolving technologies and adhering to best practices in version control and documentation are also crucial for successful project delivery.

What is the difference between Professional Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectProfessional Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, certifications optionalSimilar educational background, certifications less common
Work EnvironmentOften in teams, involved in full project lifecycle, may work in corporate or enterprise settingsTypically focused on coding, testing, and implementation, in various settings including startups and freelance
Industry UsageWidely used in corporate, enterprise, and government sectorsCommon in startups, freelance, and smaller companies

The main difference lies in scope and responsibilities. Professional Software Engineers often have a broader role, including design, architecture, and project management, while Software Developers primarily focus on coding and implementation. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Professional Software Engineer may be expected to handle more complex projects and collaborate across teams.

What do professional software engineers do?

Professional software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They analyze user requirements, write code using programming languages, and collaborate with teams to ensure functionality, performance, and security. They often use tools like version control systems and follow industry best practices to deliver reliable software solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Professional Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Professional Software Engineer job openings:

Professional Software Engineer jobs near you

Software Engineer

Sales Demo Master Client - WFN4.0

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Job Responsibilities:

  • Develops information systems by designing, developing, and installing software solutions.
  • Determines operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development, and proposed solutions.
  • Develops software solutions by studying information needs, conferring with users, and studying systems flow, data usage, and work processes.
  • Investigates problem areas.
  • Follows the software development lifecycle.
  • Documents and demonstrates solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments and clear code.
  • Prepares and installs solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards, and programming.
  • Improves operations by conducting systems analysis and recommending changes in policies and procedures.
  • Obtains and licenses software by obtaining required information from vendors, recommending purchases, and testing and approving products.
  • Protects operations by keeping information confidential.
  • Provides information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing development and service issues.
  • Accomplishes engineering and organization mission by completing related results as needed.

Skills:

  • Analyzing information
  • General programming skills
  • Software design
  • Software debugging
  • Software documentation
  • Software testing
  • Problem solving
  • Teamwork
  • Software development fundamentals
  • Software development process
  • Software requirements

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline
  • 5+ years of professional software development experience
  • Proficiency in Java or C++, and object-oriented design skills
  • Application architecture and design patterns
  • Experience serving as technical lead throughout the full software development lifecycle, from conception, architecture definition, detailed design, scoping, planning, implementation, testing to documentation, delivery and maintenance is preferred
  • Knowledge of professional software engineering and best practices for the full software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, and operations
  • Experience in development of distributed/scalable systems and high-volume transaction applications