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Senior Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Illinois

Carefeed

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join Carefeed's engineering team. We're a ... Join a fast-growing startup making a real impact in the lives of senior care providers and their ...

Carefeed

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join Carefeed's engineering team. We're a ... Join a fast-growing startup making a real impact in the lives of senior care providers and their ...

Ritchie Bros.

Senior Software Engineer

Westchester, IL · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer designs and delivers features and services using Microsoft technologies, work with software engineers and product team, and contributes to architectural decisions. This ...

Humana

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer work assignments involve moderately complex to complex issues where the analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. ** This ...

New

MessageControl

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Software Engineer at MessageControl you'll be building intelligent products to protect people ... You've previously worked at a startup or think you'll enjoy working on many things you've never ...

MessageControl

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Software Engineer at MessageControl you'll be building intelligent products to protect people ... You've previously worked at a startup or think you'll enjoy working on many things you've never ...

Humana

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer work assignments involve moderately complex to complex issues where the analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. ** This ...

New

Humana

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer work assignments involve moderately complex to complex issues where the analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. ** This ...

New

Inspira Financial

Sr. Software Engineer (Remote)

Oak Brook, IL · On-site +1

$123K - $163K/yr

We are seeking talented Senior Software Engineers who can create complex .NET back-end solutions and scalable user experiences while collaborating with an experienced team of product development ...

Braven

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL

$126K - $166K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) or Newark (NJ) Employment Type : Full-time FLSA Classification Exempt Start Date : ASAP About Braven Braven is a national ...

Braven

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Team : Systems Location : Hybrid in Chicago (IL) or Newark (NJ) Employment Type : Full-time FLSA Classification Exempt Start Date : ASAP About Braven Braven is a national ...

New

ULINE

Senior Software Engineer

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an expert at developing software solutions from start to finish? Then you belong at Uline! Join ...

ULINE

Senior Software Engineer

Glenview, IL

$120K - $159K/yr

Senior Software Engineer Corporate Headquarters 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Are you an expert at developing software solutions from start to finish? Then you belong at Uline! Join ...

Trova Search

Sr. Software Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

Senior Software Engineer (.NET / Azure / Angular) Location: Oakbrook Terrace, IL (Hybrid - Onsite Mondays & Tuesdays) No C2C, third-party vendors, or sponsorship available. About the Role We''re ...

Husch Blackwell Llp

Senior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$126K - $166K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the technical systems and application infrastructure that power high-quality, human-centered information experiences. This role is ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer Startup JobsSenior Software Engineer Startup JobsSenior Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Illinois

Senior Software Engineer Startup information

See Illinois salary details

$73.2K

$138.9K

$186.1K

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

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer startup in Illinois is $138,853.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,700.00 and $156,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some unique challenges Senior Software Engineers face when working at a startup compared to a larger company?

Senior Software Engineers at startups often navigate a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment where priorities can shift quickly. Unlike at larger organizations with established processes and specialized teams, startup engineers may wear multiple hats, handling everything from architecture decisions to hands-on coding and even DevOps tasks. This role typically requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to make impactful technical decisions with limited resources. The collaborative nature means frequent interaction with product managers, designers, and often even company leadership, creating opportunities for broad influence but also demanding strong communication and adaptability.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior software engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries or companies, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in tech startups or large technology firms in competitive markets.

Are senior software engineers still in demand?

Senior software engineers remain in high demand due to ongoing digital transformation and the need for experienced developers skilled in programming languages, cloud platforms, and software architecture. Companies across various industries seek senior engineers to lead projects, improve systems, and mentor junior staff, making this a stable and valuable role in the tech industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Software Engineer at a startup, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer at a startup, you need advanced programming abilities, architectural design experience, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with modern frameworks, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), version control systems (such as Git), and agile methodologies is essential, with certifications in relevant technologies being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you navigate the dynamic startup environment and mentor junior team members. These skills are crucial to rapidly building scalable solutions, driving innovation, and supporting business growth in a fast-paced and often ambiguous setting.

What is the difference between Senior Software Engineer Startup vs Software Engineer Startup?

AspectSenior Software Engineer StartupSoftware Engineer Startup
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, 3+ years experienceBachelor's in CS or related field, 0-2 years experience
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup, leadership responsibilities, mentorshipCollaborative team, learning-focused, entry-level to mid-level tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, scale-ups, innovative projectsEarly-stage startups, product development teams
Common Search & ComparisonHigher responsibility, technical expertise, leadershipLearning opportunities, foundational skills, growth potential

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer Startup and a Software Engineer Startup lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Senior Software Engineers typically have more experience, take on mentorship roles, and handle complex projects, while Software Engineers are often in entry to mid-level positions focused on skill development and supporting team tasks.

What does a Senior Software Engineer do at a startup?

A Senior Software Engineer at a startup is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the core software products or services. They often take on a broad range of tasks, including coding, code reviews, system architecture, and mentoring junior team members. In a startup environment, they may also contribute to product decisions, help set technical direction, and quickly adapt to changing priorities. Their role is critical in building scalable, reliable solutions while fostering innovation and collaboration within a small, fast-paced team.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Senior software engineers at startups can potentially earn $500,000 annually through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and equity, especially in high-growth companies or with significant stock options. Achieving this level often requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in competitive markets or successful startups with lucrative equity packages.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Software Engineers at successful startups or large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High compensation typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and equity participation in the company.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer Startup jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Software Engineer Startup jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Illinois? For Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Senior Software Engineer Startup job openings:
Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer Startup job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,853 per year, or $66.8 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer

Carefeed

Chicago, IL • On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Work Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
About Us: Carefeed is the platform senior living and long-term care providers use to bring order, clarity, and calm to their day. By replacing paper, calls, and disconnected tools with an all-in-one platform, Carefeed digitizes and automates the work that takes teams away from residents and families.
Carefeed works alongside existing EHR and HR systems and supports the way providers already operate. It reduces strain, keeps communities organized, and gives staff the time and confidence to focus on what matters most. Providers choose Carefeed because it is simple to learn, powerful in practice, and built for the realities of multi-community care.
Trusted by thousands of communities across the US and Canada, Carefeed helps every organization deliver a better experience for residents, families, and the teams who care for them.
About the Role: We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join Carefeed's engineering team. We're a collaborative group of full-stack engineers responsible for Carefeed's core systems, including our Family Portal, Administration Portal and Payments products. Our tech stack includes PHP, Laravel, Vue, Typescript and a bit of Go. Carefeed's products make life easier for the residents, families and staff of senior living communities across the US. As part of our team, you'll help build tools for thousands of senior communities serving hundreds of thousands of residents. We make software that is intuitive and easy to use, but also highly customizable and configurable.
Responsibilities:
  • Build robust, well-designed and effective software that solves complex problems.
  • Test, review, and deploy code quickly. Carefeed is in the middle of a CI/CD transformation, and we aim to deploy our main application many times per day.
  • Research, learn and share new techniques for solving complex engineering problems. We're a highly collaborative team and we push each other to find better solutions every day.
  • Write tools and develop practices for the engineering team. We take the time to invest heavily in our own productivity.
  • Own projects from end-to-end. On a given day you might be building a system to improve web application performance, reworking an integration with an electronic health records provider, or designing a UI component library.
  • Analyze and design solutions to business problems. At Carefeed, you'll be fully involved in determining what to do, not just doing it.

Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of professional experience in software development
  • You have a strong foundation in computer science fundamentals, such as algorithmic complexity, asynchronicity, and distributed computing.
  • You have a good knowledge of software design concepts and architecture, including significant experience in software testing.
  • You may have a soft spot for certain types of work (frontend, backend, infrastructure and so on), but at your core you're an all-rounder who is excited to own features end to end.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).

What You'll Love:
  • Join a fast-growing startup making a real impact in the lives of senior care providers and their communities
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance to support your health and well-being
  • 401(k) plan to help you plan for the future
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and company-paid holidays to support work-life balance
  • A culture that values growth and development, with opportunities to grow your career as we scale

Carefeed provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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