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

Senior Desktop EngineerChicago (loop) or Dallas - onsite 3 days, work from home 2 daysSummaryThis ... You'll be owning and supporting the engineering around desktops, desktop applications, endpoint ...

Senior Desktop EngineerChicago (loop) or Dallas - onsite 3 days, work from home 2 daysSummaryThis ... You'll be owning and supporting the engineering around desktops, desktop applications, endpoint ...

Sr. Desktop Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$45 - $65/hr

LRS Consulting Services is seeking a Senior Desktop Engineer to join a collaborative, tight-knit IT operations team supporting a mid-sized, globally distributed organization. This role is responsible ...

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Senior Desktop Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$46

$84

How much do senior desktop engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior desktop engineer in Chicago, IL is $46.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.75 and $59.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior desktop engineer?

A Senior Desktop Engineer is an IT professional responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining desktop computing environments within an organization. They manage software deployments, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and ensure that all end-user devices are secure and up to date. Senior Desktop Engineers also develop standard operating procedures, lead technical projects, and may mentor junior staff. They play a crucial role in supporting employees' productivity by providing reliable desktop solutions and support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior desktop engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Desktop Engineer, you need deep expertise in Windows and Mac OS environments, endpoint management, and troubleshooting, typically supported by a degree in IT or related certifications like Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate. Familiarity with tools such as SCCM, Intune, Active Directory, and scripting languages like PowerShell is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and a customer-focused attitude set top performers apart. These skills and qualities ensure reliable system performance, efficient support, and a positive user experience in complex enterprise environments.

What are some common challenges faced by senior desktop engineers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Senior Desktop Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing large-scale software deployments, ensuring security compliance across diverse systems, and supporting end-users with varying technical skills. Addressing these requires strong problem-solving abilities, up-to-date knowledge of endpoint management tools, and effective communication with both IT peers and non-technical staff. Proactively documenting processes and staying current with evolving technologies can help streamline workflows and minimize disruptions.

What is the difference between Senior Desktop Engineer vs Desktop Support Specialist?

AspectSenior Desktop EngineerDesktop Support Specialist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in IT or related, certifications like CompTIA A+ or Microsoft CertifiedHigh school diploma or associate's degree, certifications like CompTIA A+
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining desktop systems in corporate environmentsProviding technical support and troubleshooting for end-users
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in IT departments across various industries, focusing on infrastructureCommon in help desks, support centers, and smaller IT teams

The Senior Desktop Engineer typically handles advanced desktop infrastructure tasks, including system design and deployment, while the Desktop Support Specialist focuses on resolving user issues and providing technical support. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities within IT teams.

How much do senior desktop engineers make?

Senior desktop engineers typically earn between $80,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the company. In high-demand areas, salaries can exceed this range, especially for those with advanced skills in troubleshooting, network configuration, and enterprise environments.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Senior Desktop Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Senior Desktop Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Desktop Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Desktop Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Senior Desktop Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, and 56% Contract. Highlights an 67% In-person, 22% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,927 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Senior Desktop Engineer

1872 Consulting

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Senior Desktop EngineerChicago (loop) or Dallas – onsite 3 days, work from home 2 daysSummaryThis is a newly created role to support our company's scaling efforts. It's critical we have the right person to establish best practices for Desktop and End User Computing Engineering, to allow us to grow with minimal pains of end user computing. You'll be owning and supporting the engineering around desktops, desktop applications, endpoint devices, endpoint platforms and security tools. This is an enterprise environment, with a fairly new team, where you'll have ample opportunity to make an impact.What You'll Be DoingBe a thoughtful leader in end user experience space; continuously improve user end user experiences through OS and application optimizations, automation, and streamlined processesDesign and implement unified endpoint management solutions for Windows, Citrix, Macs, and mobile devices using Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MECM, Intune, Autopilot, JAMF)Manage desktop policies and configurations through Active Directory, Group Policy (GPO), and Azure Active Directory, and M365 (Intune)Apply modern configuration management practices to endpoint managementCreate and manage the desktop operating system build process (MDT, Autopilot)Package software applications for automated deployments using varies methodsManage the M365 environment for managing and deploying softwareWork with Security teams on compliance metrics and standards of endpointsProactively monitor and measure endpoint performance to detect trends and catch problems before users are impactedProvide 3rd level endpoint supportCollect, report on endpoint metrics, and build dashboards to display informationAutomate processes using PowershellPerform PC operating system and software installation and performance tuning including, but not limited to, memory optimization, and software application settings (standard and custom)Use ServiceNow software to create, edit, update and close work order tickets and customer profiles as neededMaintain "SOE's" (Start Of Employment) and "EOE's" (End Of Employment) of user accounts and endpointsOther duties as assignedSkills We're Seeking5+ years of experience with Desktop Engineering and/or Systems Engineering in Windows environmentsStrong experience with SCCM and/or MECM. MECM experience preferred given that's what we're using nowExperience with deployments on Windows 10/11Must have Intune experienceMust have at least some Azure experienceNice To Have Experience:Experience with as many of the following as possible (we use these, but experience with all is NOT required): Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Endpoint Analytics, Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Graph, Azure Alerts and Monitoring.System Engineering/Integration experience with: Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, Office 365, MS Teams, Citrix, MacOS, iOS, AndroidExperience using scripting for automation with Powershell, or a similar toolExperience with information security frameworks such as device encryption, anti-virus tooling, digital certificates, security policies etc.Mobile device management experienceEncryption (i.e. BitLocker) experienceVPN client experience


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About 1872 Consulting

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

1872 Consulting, based in Chicago, IL, USA, operates within the IT consulting industry. Armed with a diverse team of experts, the company offers specialized IT consulting services, focusing on modernizing business technologies and driving innovative business strategies. Established in 1872, the company has a rich history marked by its commitment to bridging the gap between businesses and technology. Its mission is to empower organizations to surpass their business goals by providing state-of-the-art IT solutions and service. The company prides itself on its core values of integrity, excellence, and innovation, instilling these principles in every project they undertake.

Industry

It services

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2014