1

Rust Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a midlevel or senior IC to join our core engineering team. Our team is responsible for all things C/C++ and Rust, and the most performance-sensitive parts of our codebase. You'll be ...

Comfort with multiple programming languages, particularly including C++, Rust, Java, Python ... JavaScript, Ruby The annual base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $250,000 depending ...

Sr Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$106K - $145K/yr

Experience with Python and at least one compiled language, with a desire to learn and work in Rust ... Skilled in typical software engineering disciplines: testing, debugging, revision control, error ...

Sr Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$106K - $145K/yr

Experience with Python and at least one compiled language, with a desire to learn and work in Rust ... Skilled in typical software engineering disciplines: testing, debugging, revision control, error ...

Develop on ARM-based embedded platforms using C, C++, python, golang or rust * Improve our embedded ... Engineering or CS degree. * Software development on an embedded device * Experience writing and ...

... Rust • Strong understanding of cryptography, blockchain security, and distributed ledger ... engineering teams on architecture, development, and deployment • Mentor team members and ...

Exchange Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $210K/yr

Strong software engineering skills in a compiled, statically typed language (Haskell, Java, C++, Scala, OCaml, Rust) * Comfort with concurrent and multithreaded systems * Experience designing systems ...

... in Rust or Golang languages or both Skilled in reading and modifying blockchain core code (geth, bor, prysm) Creative, independent, and collaborative team player with the ability to work in a fast ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Rust Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$36.6K

$99.1K

$173.2K

How much do rust engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for rust engineer in Chicago, IL is $99,082.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $111,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Rust Engineers?

Rust Engineers are software developers who specialize in using the Rust programming language to build reliable, efficient, and safe systems. They often work on performance-critical applications such as backend services, embedded software, systems programming, and blockchain technologies. Rust Engineers are valued for their ability to write code that minimizes bugs and security vulnerabilities, leveraging Rust's strict compiler and memory safety features. Their expertise is increasingly sought after in industries where safety, speed, and concurrency are essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rust Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rust Engineer, you need a strong understanding of systems programming concepts, the Rust language, and experience with software development best practices, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, build tools such as Cargo, and knowledge of CI/CD pipelines are typically required. Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding Rust Engineers apart. These skills and qualifications are essential for building reliable, high-performance, and secure software systems in collaborative development environments.

What are some common challenges Rust Engineers face when integrating Rust with existing systems?

Rust Engineers often encounter challenges when integrating Rust into codebases written in other languages, such as C, C++, or Python. These challenges can include managing foreign function interfaces (FFI), ensuring memory safety across language boundaries, and handling differences in build systems and tooling. Collaboration with teams familiar with legacy systems is often essential to navigate these complexities, and clear documentation is key to successful integration. Over time, these challenges can deepen your understanding of system interoperability and lead to broader career opportunities in systems programming.

What is the difference between Rust Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectRust EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, familiarity with RustBachelor's in Computer Science or related, general programming skills
Work EnvironmentTech companies, startups, embedded systems, systems programmingVarious industries including tech, finance, healthcare, web development
Employer & Industry UsageCompanies developing performance-critical or system-level applicationsBroad range of companies developing software across sectors
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on Rust-specific roles, systems programmingGeneral software development roles across languages

Rust Engineers specialize in developing high-performance, safe systems using Rust, often in embedded or systems programming contexts. Software Developers have a broader scope, working across multiple languages and industries. While both roles require strong programming skills, Rust Engineers focus on Rust expertise, whereas Software Developers may work with various languages and technologies.

Infographic showing various Rust Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,082 per year, or $47.6 per hour.
Software Engineer (C++/Rust)

Software Engineer (C++/Rust)

Databento

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 19 hours ago


Job description

The financial industry is growing at a record pace, but our data providers are still stuck in the past — with cumbersome onboarding processes, complicated APIs, slow infrastructure, and expensive licensing costs.

Databento is the next generation market data provider — with the radical idea that you should only pay for the data that you use. We power the world's largest finance and fintech institutions and lower the barrier of entry for small startups, gaining over 4,000 users during our first year of launch. Our team brings former experience at the world's leading quantitative firms, including Two Sigma, Flow Traders, Tower Research, PDT Partners, SIG, and more.

We're looking for a midlevel or senior IC to join our core engineering team. Our team is responsible for all things C/C++ and Rust, and the most performance-sensitive parts of our codebase. You'll be working with nearly 20 PB of data, with thousands of bare metal CPU cores at your disposal.

Responsibilities
  • Design, develop, and maintain high-performance server applications in C/C++ and Rust.
  • Write message parsers and feed handlers for direct market data feeds from trading venues.
  • Optimize existing codebase for high throughput (millions of messages per second, up to 40+ gigabits) and low latency (measured in nanoseconds).
  • Implement tools and libraries for petabyte-scale data processing and analysis.
  • Collaborate with the systems team to implement best practices for build, deployment, CI/CD.
  • Implement monitoring and improve application uptime.
  • Ensure smooth feature rollouts and updates.
Preferred background
  • 5+ years of full-time software engineering experience, preferably at a trading firm, tech company, or high-growth startup.
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++ or Rust.
  • Knowledge of systems programming, algorithms, data structures, multithreading, networked I/O, serialization, CPU architecture, kernel, and compilers.
  • Experience working with multiprocess environments.
  • Comfortable with lldb/gdb.
  • Good communication skills and work ethic for a remote workplace.
  • An interest in low-level optimization and performance engineering.
  • An interest in financial data or algorithmic trading.
Notice about phishing scams

Be cautious of phishing scams impersonating Databento that offer fake job interviews and request purchases. Official emails come only from @databento.com or us.greenhouse-mail.io (our ATS). Any other domains (e.g., databento-careers.com, databento.online) are fraudulent.

--

Databento, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in every location where we operate. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Pursuant to applicable laws, we consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. If you need an accommodation, please let us know.

Our recruiting data suggests that underrepresented applicants often downplay their skills. Even if your experience doesn't exactly match the qualifications listed, we still want to hear from you. Please apply!