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Senior Backend Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Honor

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$160K - $180K/yr

As a Senior Backend Engineer at Honor: * You care about building systems that have real-world impact. * You're creative and curious, and enjoy thinking outside the box. * You thrive in diverse, cross ...

Worldpay, Inc.

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

As a Lead Software Engineer with strong back-end expertise, you'll start your day aligning with designers, engineers, and product managers to set goals and clarify priorities. Your focus will be on ...

FIS

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

As a Lead Software Engineer with strong back-end expertise, you'll start your day aligning with designers, engineers, and product managers to set goals and clarify priorities. Your focus will be on ...

FIS

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL

$97K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, your day will be filled with exciting challenges and opportunities ... Engage in full-stack development, from backend systems to user interfaces. Work with technologies ...

Worldpay, Inc.

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL

$97K - $195K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, your day will be filled with exciting challenges and opportunities ... Engage in full-stack development, from backend systems to user interfaces. Work with technologies ...

Yourco, Inc

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

You dislike over-engineering and can design simple solutions to complex problems. * You have experience planning your own work. You prefer planning work before coding. * You enjoy working with and ...

SYSTEGRATION INC

Sr. Backend Java Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$124K - $161K/yr

We are helping our Direct Client (Fortune 100 company) to look for Top Notch/Expert Sr. Backend Java Developer for 100% Onsite Multi-Year Contract role in Chicago Downtown, Immediate Start! Client ...

SYSTEGRATION INC

Sr. Backend Java Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$124K - $161K/yr

We are helping our Direct Client (Fortune 100 company) to look for Top Notch/Expert Sr. Backend Java Developer for 100% Onsite Multi-Year Contract role in Chicago Downtown, Immediate Start! Client ...

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All JobsBackend Engineer JobsSenior Backend Engineer JobsSenior Backend Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Senior Backend Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$62.3K

$152.1K

$205K

How much do senior backend engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior backend engineer in Chicago, IL is $152,113.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,700.00 and $177,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Backend Engineer, you need advanced proficiency in server-side programming languages (such as Java, Python, or Node.js), database management, and experience with scalable system architecture, typically supported by a relevant degree and several years of professional experience. Familiarity with frameworks, APIs, containerization tools (like Docker and Kubernetes), and cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure) is essential, along with knowledge of version control systems like Git. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and mentorship skills help you collaborate across teams and guide junior developers. These skills ensure the delivery of robust, efficient, and maintainable backend systems that support business objectives and seamless user experiences.

What are some common challenges senior backend engineers face when scaling backend systems, and how are they typically addressed?

Senior Backend Engineers often encounter challenges related to system scalability, such as database bottlenecks, latency issues, and maintaining system reliability under increased load. Addressing these challenges typically involves optimizing database queries, implementing caching strategies, and designing microservices architectures to distribute workloads efficiently. Collaboration with DevOps and frontend teams is also crucial to ensure seamless integration and monitoring. Proactively identifying potential scalability issues and participating in code reviews are key responsibilities in this role.

What does a senior backend engineer do?

A senior backend engineer designs, develops, and maintains server-side applications and systems that support web and mobile platforms. They often work with programming languages like Java, Python, or Node.js, and use databases, APIs, and cloud services to ensure scalable and efficient backend operations. Additionally, they review code, mentor junior developers, and ensure system security and performance standards are met.

What is a senior backend engineer?

Senior Backend Engineers are experienced software professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the server-side components of web applications or systems. They work with databases, APIs, and application logic to ensure robust, scalable, and efficient backend operations. Their role often involves collaborating with frontend engineers, managing system architecture, reviewing code, and mentoring junior developers. Senior Backend Engineers also play a key role in optimizing performance, ensuring security, and integrating new technologies into existing systems.

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

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Backend Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Backend Engineer job openings:

Senior Backend Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Backend Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,113 per year, or $73.1 per hour.

Senior Back-End Engineer - Work From Home

Next Step Systems

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Senior Back-End Engineer - Work From Home
This Senior Back-End Engineer position is a 100% Remote opportunity. Compensation includes salary plus equity and the company fully covers cost of medical, dental and vision insurance for employee, spouse and children!
As a Senior Back-End Engineer, you will join us at the early stages to envision and build innovative banking technology solution and products from the ground up. The Senior Backend Engineer will cover all primary development activity across all technology functions that ensure we deliver code with high quality for our applications, products and services. The Senior Backend Engineer will work closely with the product team and Frontend Engineers to ensure system consistency for customers' needs and user experience.
Ideally, you should have a successful track record of design, development, and implementation of software and can demonstrate experience of technology expertise in integration, launch, scaling, and maintenance of new and existing products and solutions. You should have the ability to contribute to a team culture that inspires excellence in what we deliver, collaboration in how we deliver it, and the innovation that will enable us to help customers with their financial service needs.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in the entire application lifecycle, focusing on coding and debugging.
- Write clean code to develop functional web applications.
- Troubleshoot and debug applications.
- Perform UI tests to optimize performance.
- Manage cutting-edge technologies to improve legacy applications.
- Collaborate with Front-end developers to integrate user-facing elements with server-side logic.
- Gather and address technical and design requirements.
- Provide training and support to internal teams.
- Build reusable code and libraries for future use.
- Liaise with developers, designers, and system administrators to identify new features.
- Follow emerging technologies.
- Work closely with Product, QA, Dev-Ops, Customer Success and management.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience with Java.
- Extensive knowledge and experience with: Java Spring Boot, JPA, Hibernate, Databases (RDS is a bonus), Microservices, docker, K8s/Kubernetes (EKS is a bonus), Elasticsearch.
- Strong analytical and debugging skills.
- Building organized processes and structured formal documentation.
- B.Sc. or higher in Computer Science or equivalent.
Benefits include medical insurance, retirement plan, PTO, etc. Salary: 80K+ DOE. Keywords: Chicago IL Jobs, Senior Back-End Engineer, Java, Java Spring Boot, Hibernate, Microservices, Docker, Kubernetes, Elasticsearch, Software Developer, Software Engineer, Programmer Analyst, Programming, Chicago Recruiters, IT Jobs, Chicago Recruiting
Looking to hire for similar positions in Chicago, IL or in other cities? Our IT recruiting agencies and staffing companies can help.
We help companies that are looking to hire Senior Back-End Engineers for jobs Chicago, Illinois and in other cities too. Please contact our IT recruiting agencies and IT staffing companies today! Phone 630-428-0600 ext 11 or email us at jobs@nextstepsystems.com. Click here to submit your resume for this job and others.
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