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Senior Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

FleetWorks

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

If you're a strong software engineer who wants to work hands-on with users, solve ambiguous problems on the ground, and see your code driving live operations within days, this is a uniquely high ...

Talent Solutions Group Inc

Be Seen First

Senior Backend TypeScript Engineer - Node.js / GraphQL

Chicago, IL · Remote

$100K - $180K/yr

Senior Backend TypeScript Engineer - Node.js / GraphQL Remote | Chicago Area Preferred | Full-Time ... Design software using modern architecture principles including separation of concerns, high ...

Nametag

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

Senior Backend Engineer Remote, US About Nametag Nametag helps companies verify the real person behind high-risk workforce actions, from account recovery to identity checks, before attackers can ...

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 ...

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 · 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 ...

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Senior Backend Software Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$77.8K

$147.6K

$197.8K

How much do senior backend software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior backend software engineer in Chicago, IL is $147,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,200.00 and $166,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior backend software engineer?

Senior Backend Software Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power web and software applications. They work closely with front-end developers, product managers, and other team members to ensure robust, scalable, and secure systems. In addition to coding, they often mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and help shape the architecture and technical direction of projects. Their expertise enables businesses to handle high volumes of data, users, and complex business logic efficiently.

How does a senior backend software engineer typically collaborate with frontend teams and other stakeholders during the development process?

Senior Backend Software Engineers frequently work closely with frontend developers, product managers, and sometimes UX designers to ensure seamless integration between server-side logic and user-facing features. This collaboration often involves participating in planning meetings, discussing API contracts, and reviewing architectural decisions to ensure scalability and performance. Clear communication and regular sync-ups are essential, as backend engineers need to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions while addressing any integration challenges that arise.

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

To thrive as a Senior Backend Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills (such as Python, Java, or Go), a deep understanding of system architecture, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with databases, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines is typically required, along with knowledge of best practices in API design and security. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, strong communication, and leadership skills help you effectively collaborate and mentor junior engineers. These competencies are crucial for building robust, scalable systems and ensuring the technical success of complex projects.

What is the difference between Senior Backend Software Engineer vs Backend Developer?

AspectSenior Backend Software EngineerBackend Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; experience with cloud platformsBachelor's degree or equivalent; proficiency in backend languages
Work EnvironmentCollaborates on complex systems, mentors junior staffDevelops and maintains backend features, less mentorship
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startups, enterprise firmsWidely used across various industries, including e-commerce and SaaS
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched for career progression, senior rolesTypically searched for entry to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Backend Software Engineer and a Backend Developer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Senior engineers handle complex systems, mentor teams, and contribute to architecture, while backend developers focus on coding and maintaining backend features. Both roles require strong technical skills, but senior roles demand more leadership and strategic input.

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Senior Backend Software Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,611 per year, or $71 per hour.

Senior Backend Software Engineer - Cloud

Vernon Hills, IL • On-site

STERIS Corporation

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 894 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about STERIS Corporationexternal

$119K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Position Summary

Join the STERIS Digital Workflow Solutions team as a Senior Backend Software Engineer. In this role you will be responsible for developing deep expertise in the application services, APIs, integrations, business processes, and data architecture that form the foundation of the SPM Cloud platform. SPM Software | STERIS Initially focused on embedded learning, production support readiness, and operational continuity, the role progressively expands into new feature delivery, platform enhancement, technical design, and engineering ownership activities.

The position will become a core member of the internal STERIS product engineering team responsible for maintaining, enhancing, and evolving the platform as software development transitions fully in-house.

*This position is located in Vernon Hills, IL with the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule. Qualified candidates currently residing within commuting distance of Vernon Hills preferred.

What You'll Do as a Senior Backend Software Engineer
  • Design, develop, maintain, and enhance backend services, APIs, integrations, and business logic components.
  • Participate in delivery activities to acquire ownership of platform knowledge and engineering practices.
  • Develop expertise in application architecture, data models, integration patterns, and system workflows.
  • Investigate and resolve complex production incidents, defects, and performance issues.
  • Contribute to technical design discussions, solution reviews, and implementation planning activities.
  • Build and support scalable, secure, and maintainable cloud-native application services.
  • Perform code reviews and promote engineering best practices across the development team.
  • Create and maintain technical documentation, support procedures, and operational runbooks.
  • Identify opportunities to improve application performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
  • Contribute to future feature development, modernization efforts, and continuous product improvement initiatives.
The Experience, Skills and Abilities Needed

Required:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related degree
  • 8+ years of professional software development experience building, enhancing, and supporting enterprise applications.
  • 8+ years proven experience developing and maintaining business-critical backend systems, APIs, integrations, and data-driven applications.
  • 8+ years C# and modern .NET development.
  • Experience developing RESTful APIs, web services, and service-based integrations.
  • Strong understanding of relational database design, SQL & NoSQL development, and data modelling principles.
  • Experience with PostgreSQL, RavenDB, SQL Server, or equivalent enterprise database platforms.
  • Experience working within Agile software delivery methodologies.
  • Experience creating and maintaining technical documentation, architectural artifacts, and operational runbooks.
  • Experience working across the full software development lifecycle, including solution design, implementation, testing, deployment, support, and continuous improvement.
  • Experience supporting production systems and participating in incident response, root cause analysis, and defect remediation activities.
  • Experience collaborating with architects, frontend engineers, DevOps engineers, quality engineers, and product stakeholders within Agile delivery teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership of application components or services and drive them through design, development, and operational support.
  • Experience working with cloud-hosted, distributed, or service-oriented systems.
  • Experience participating in technical design reviews, code reviews, and engineering improvement initiatives.


Preferred:

  • Exposure to AI-assisted development tools and modern engineering productivity practices.
  • Experience modernizing legacy systems or participating in large-scale application transformation programs preferred.
  • Experience developing cloud-native solutions hosted in Microsoft Azure.
  • Experience with Azure Functions, App Services, Azure SQL, Storage, Key Vault, Service Bus, or similar Azure services.
  • Experience working within healthcare, medical device, financial services, or other regulated industries preferred.
What STERIS Offers

We value our employees and are committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, well-being and financial future.

Here is a brief overview of what we offer:

Market Competitive Pay
Extensive Paid Time Off and (9) added Holidays
Excellent Healthcare, Dental and Vision Benefits
Long/Short Term Disability Coverage
401(k) with a company match
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Additional add-on benefits/discounts for programs such as Pet Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement and continued education programs
Excellent opportunities for advancement in a stable long-term career

#LI-KK1

Pay range for this opportunity is$107,525.00 - $126,000.This position is eligible for bonus participation.

Minimum pay rates offered will comply with county/city minimums, if higher than range listed. Pay rates are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to local labor market costs, years of relevant experience, education, professional certifications, foreign language fluency, etc.

STERIS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits portfolio. Click here for a complete list of benefits: STERIS Benefits

Open until position is filled.

STERIS is a leading global provider of products and services that support patient care with an emphasis on infection prevention. WE HELP OUR CUSTOMERS CREATE A HEALTHIER AND SAFER WORLD by providing innovative healthcare and life sciences products and services around the globe. For more information, visit www.steris.com.

If you need assistance completing the application process, please call 1 (440) 392.7047. This contact information is for accommodation inquiries only and cannot be used to check application status.

STERIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to ensure that persons are recruited, hired, trained, transferred and promoted in all job groups regardless of race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state or local law. We are not only committed to this policy by our status as a federal government contractor, but also we are strongly bound by the principle of equal employment opportunity.

The full affirmative action program, absent the data metrics required by 60-741.44(k), shall be available to all employees and applicants for employment for inspection upon request. The program may be obtained at your location's HR Office during normal business hours.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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