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Search Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Zoro

Software Engineer II, Search

Chicago, IL

$100K - $137K/yr

We are looking for a backend focused Software Engineer to join our Infrastructure and API pod within Zoro's Search team. The Search team is responsible for the frontend user experience, the ...

FeverUp

AI Search Innovation Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

We engineer visibility across the entire discovery ecosystem: traditional search engines, LLMs, local listings, third party integrations and beyond. Our diverse portfolio of ecosystems and operating ...

Caterpillar

Lead Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Build search capabilities with measurable KPIs (e.g., CTR, Query Distribution, Zero Search) and leverage analytics to continuously improve search performance. * Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Zoro

Software Engineer II, Search

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

We are looking for a backend focused Software Engineer to join our Infrastructure and API pod within Zoro's Search team. The Search team is responsible for the frontend user experience, the ...

FeverUp

Senior SEO Strategist - Madrid based

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

We engineer visibility across the entire discovery ecosystem: traditional search engines, LLMs, local listings, third party integrations and beyond. Our diverse portfolio of ecosystems and operating ...

Darwill, Inc.

SEO Specialist

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

Work closely with developers to troubleshoot indexation, crawlability, site speed, Core Web Vitals, schema markup, and other technical SEO enhancements. * Analyze Performance & Reporting: Monitor and ...

Darwill, Inc.

SEO Specialist

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Work closely with developers to troubleshoot indexation, crawlability, site speed, Core Web Vitals, schema markup, and other technical SEO enhancements. Analyze Performance & Reporting: Monitor and ...

Darwill, Inc.

SEO Specialist

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

Work closely with developers to troubleshoot indexation, crawlability, site speed, Core Web Vitals, schema markup, and other technical SEO enhancements. • Analyze Performance & Reporting: Monitor ...

Cars

Director, Paid Search

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Director of Paid Search is the end-to-end owner of Cars.com's consumer SEM program (Google Ads ... Think product-first about the full funnel - partner with Product, Engineering, Design, and ...

tastytrade

SEO Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Conduct technical SEO audits covering crawlability, indexability, XML sitemap hygiene, canonical tags, and redirect management, partnering with developers to resolve issues * Monitor Core Web Vitals ...

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All JobsSearch Engineer JobsSearch Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Search Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$55

$68

$90

How much do search engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for search engineer in Illinois is $68.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59.42 and $79.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a search engineer?

Search Engineers are specialized software engineers who design, build, and improve search systems that help users find relevant information quickly and efficiently. Their work often involves developing algorithms for indexing, querying, and ranking large volumes of data, as well as optimizing search accuracy and speed. Search Engineers may also work with natural language processing, machine learning, and relevance tuning to enhance the user search experience on websites, apps, or internal databases.

What does a search engineer do?

A search engineer has two primary responsibilities: to develop and program search engines and to optimize web content to achieve the best possible rankings in search results. As a search engineer, your job duties depend on your employer. If you work for a search engine company, like Google or Bing, then your job is to create the web application and algorithms that index websites and web pages to aggregate and rank search results. If you work for an e-commerce website or another business reliant on products or services, then your focus is on website analysis, keyword research, and content marketing.

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

To thrive as a Search Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, expertise in information retrieval, and strong programming skills, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with search platforms like Elasticsearch or Solr, experience with large-scale distributed systems, and knowledge of ranking algorithms are typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for building efficient, relevant search experiences that meet both user and business needs.

How does a search engineer typically collaborate with other teams to improve search functionality?

Search Engineers often work closely with product managers, data scientists, and UX designers to understand user needs and analyze search performance. They collaborate with data engineering teams to ensure high-quality and well-structured data feeds, and frequently participate in cross-functional meetings to align on feature priorities and technical requirements. Effective communication skills are essential, as Search Engineers must translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that improvements enhance both search accuracy and overall user experience.

What is the difference between Search Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectSearch EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, EE, or related; experience in search algorithmsBachelor's or higher in CS, Statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentTech companies, search engine teams, e-commerce platformsResearch labs, tech firms, finance, healthcare
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in search technology, e-commerce, and online servicesAcross industries like tech, finance, healthcare, and research

Search Engineers focus on developing and optimizing search algorithms and systems, while Data Scientists analyze data to extract insights and inform decisions. Both roles require strong technical skills, but Search Engineers are more specialized in search technology development, whereas Data Scientists work broadly with data analysis and modeling.

More about Search Engineer jobs

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For Search Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Search Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Search Engineer jobs in IL?

For Search Engineer jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Search Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Search Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,092 per year, or $68.8 per hour.

IT Software Engineer

Accord Technologies Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Title: IT Software Engineer 
Location; Chicago, IL (locals preferred)
Duration: 12 months
Position type: W2 contract
 
 
Required Skills 
• 12+ years of total software engineering experience.
• 7+ years of specific experience in search engineering.
• 3+ years in a technical leadership role (mentoring, guiding, or leading teams).
• Search Technologies: Strong expertise in modern search frameworks; must have strong product experience with Coveo OR Vertex AI Search (specifically Vertex AI Search for Commerce).
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). Must have experience building low-latency APIs in AWS using memory-storage solutions.
• Development Tools: Advanced experience with version control (e.g., GitHub).
• Methodologies: Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks and operating within an Agile / global team environment.
• Working experience with heavy equipment engineering or data analysis.
• Must demonstrate strong initiative, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Job Responsibilities
o Define and implement a long-term technical roadmap for the search platform to ensure scalability and adaptability to growing data volumes and query complexity.
o Mentor and guide a team of search engineers through technical reviews, enforcing best practices, and facilitating collaborative problem-solving.
o Introduce cutting-edge capabilities such as NLP (Natural Language Processing), vector search, and personalization to enhance search relevance and accuracy.
o Build search capabilities with measurable KPIs (e.g., Click-Through Rate (CTR), Query Distribution, and Zero Search rates).
o Leverage analytics and data insights to continuously monitor and improve search performance.
o Partner closely with Product Managers, Data Scientists, and other engineering teams to align all search initiatives with overarching business objectives and growth strategies.
 
Education Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
Education Preferred: 
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.