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Senior Systems Engineer Jobs in Champaign, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior System Software Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. Over the past five years GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production ...

Senior System Software Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$122K - $161K/yr

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. Over the past five years GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production ...

Job Title: Senior Electrical Engineer Location: Champaign, IL Employment Type: Full-Time | ... Electrical System Modeling, including Arc Flash, Short Circuit, and Coordination Studies

System Software Engineer, HPC Performance

Champaign, IL · On-site

$173K - $205K/yr

Enable work in tiny embedded and automotive systems. Our tools span the gamut. What we need to see: * BS, MS, or PhD in EE, CE, CS, or Systems Engineering (or equivalent experience). * Minimum of 5 ...

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Principal Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production deployments.

Principal Systems Software Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$135K - $181K/yr

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Principal Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production deployments.

Senior Cyber Resiliency Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site +1

$43.07 - $74.08/hr

OverviewThe Senior Cyber Resiliency Engineer develops and supports technical capabilities that ... affected systems. Assists in the development and maintenance of SIEM, EDR, alerting, detection ...

Senior Cyber Resiliency Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site +1

$43.07 - $74.08/hr

Overview The Senior Cyber Resiliency Engineer develops and supports technical capabilities that ... affected systems. Assists in the development and maintenance of SIEM, EDR, alerting, detection ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Systems Engineer information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$56.1K

$124.9K

$176.3K

How much do senior systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior systems engineer in Champaign, IL is $124,914.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,700.00 and $143,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior systems engineer?

A senior systems engineer is an IT (information technology) professional tasked with designing and maintaining network systems and security. Examples include large server or storage systems, computer networks, and mainframes. As a systems engineer, your primary duties are to oversee the daily operations of your facility and lead a team of engineers in designing new systems to replace old ones. You may work for a company that provides engineering services and solutions for other businesses, or you may be part of a large university or other institution's IT department. Skills needed for the career include the ability to work independently, leadership, and analytical problem-solving. A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or IT and significant experience in a lower systems engineering position are essential qualifications.

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

To thrive as a Senior Systems Engineer, you need expertise in systems architecture, troubleshooting, and network administration, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field and several years of relevant experience. Familiarity with virtualization platforms, cloud services (like AWS or Azure), automation tools (such as Ansible or PowerShell), and certifications like CompTIA, Microsoft, or Cisco are often required. Outstanding problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you lead initiatives and collaborate effectively across teams. These competencies are crucial for ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security in complex IT environments.

What are some common challenges faced by senior systems engineers when integrating new technologies into existing infrastructure?

Senior Systems Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between legacy systems and new technologies, minimizing downtime during migrations, and addressing unforeseen security vulnerabilities. Effective integration requires thorough planning, cross-team collaboration, and detailed testing to avoid disruptions to business operations. Staying current with emerging technologies and adopting best practices for change management are essential for overcoming these challenges and ensuring smooth implementation.

What is the difference between Senior Systems Engineer vs Systems Administrator?

AspectSenior Systems EngineerSystems Administrator
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft certificationsCompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and troubleshooting complex systemsManaging daily system operations and user support
Industry UsageIT, technology, enterprise environmentsIT support, small to medium businesses

While both roles involve working with IT systems, Senior Systems Engineers focus on designing and implementing complex infrastructure, whereas Systems Administrators handle routine maintenance and user support. The senior role typically requires more advanced certifications and experience, and often involves strategic planning and system architecture.

What are the most commonly searched types of Systems Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL?

The most popular types of Systems Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Systems Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL?

For Senior Systems Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Senior Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Senior Systems Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Systems Engineer job openings in Champaign, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,914 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Senior System Software Engineer

Champaign, IL • On-site


Nvidia
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 247 rated software companies

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$122K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology-and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent. As an NVIDIAN, you'll be immersed in a diverse, supportive environment where everyone is inspired to do their best work. Come join the team and see how you can make a lasting impact on the world.

NVIDIA is seeking a Sr. Systems Software Engineer for the Apache Spark Acceleration group. Over the past five years GPU accelerated data processing has moved from proof of concept to production deployments. Many enterprises recognize accelerated computing is vital to handle their large data processing needs. Multi-node GPU deployments will reduce cloud computing costs and lower latency in batch ETL workloads. Apache Spark is the most popular data processing engine in data centers. At NVIDIA, we are developing an open source plugin to accelerate Spark applications on GPUs without any code changes.

What you'll be doing:

  • Enable C++ native execution of Spark operations on CUDA

  • Develop CUDA/C++ libraries to accelerate DataFrames and I/O operations on common file formats such as Parquet, ORC and JSON

  • Collaborate with distributed systems teams to craft solutions to distributed processing problems challenges at large scale

  • Work with open source communities to enhance libraries like RAPIDS, CCCL and UCX through technical discussion and code contributions

  • Provide recommendations and feedback to teams regarding decisions surrounding topics such as infrastructure, continuous integration and testing strategy

  • Build, test and optimize across different platforms

What we need to see:

  • 9+ years of experience in software development

  • 5+ years hands on experience with data platform development

  • BS/MS/PhD in computer science or a related field (or equivalent experience)

  • Proficiency in C++, Java, Scala

  • Experience supporting enterprise customers

  • Familiarity with the open source data platform ecosystem is a plus (Apache Spark, Velox, Presto, Apache Arrow, Apache DataFusion, etc.)

  • Experience using AI tools in software development

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 184,000 USD - 287,500 USD for Level 4, and 224,000 USD - 356,500 USD for Level 5.

You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until July 14, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nvidia logo

About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US


What Nvidia employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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