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

CNA

Senior Unix/Linux Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Guide engineering and operations for Linux/UNIX and Windows Server across physical and virtual footprints; ensure best practices for reliability, security, and performance. * Define and maintain OS ...

Cna

Senior Unix/Linux Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

Guide engineering and operations for Linux/UNIX and Windows Server across physical and virtual footprints; ensure best practices for reliability, security, and performance. * Define and maintain OS ...

Sonsoft Inc

Unix / Open Systems

Chicago, IL

At least 4 years of development/programming experience in in Unix/Shell scripting, Unix Administration, Perl, PL/SQL. * At least 4 years of experience in software development life cycle. * At least 2 ...

Sunrise Futures, LLC

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Sunrise Futures is looking to hire a talented Senior Systems Engineer to join our team. The Role ... Experience with unix servers working in bare metal and virtualized environments * Experience with ...

Sunrise Futures, LLC

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Sunrise Futures is looking to hire a talented Senior Systems Engineer to join our team. The Role ... Experience with unix servers working in bare metal and virtualized environments * Experience with ...

Informatic Technologies

Sr Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer engineers develops secure, scalable and reliable technology solutions ... Good to have unix/linux experience * Experience in developing and automating solutions directly ...

NextRow Digital

Sr Informatica Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

NextRow is looking to hire a Senior Informatica Developer / Engineer on a contract basis ... in SQL and Scripting (Unix sell scripts, Python) • Hands on experience in data pipeline ...

Photon

Sr. Developer - FullStack - Cleveland, OH

Chicago, IL · On-site

$133K - $172K/yr

Support Linux/UNIX administration, including installation, configuration, tuning, and upgrades ... Engineer with strong expertise in GCP . * Proficient in Terraform , CI/CD pipelines, and cloud ...

Menzo

Senior DataStage Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Senior DataStage Developer Location: Chicago - Onsite Required Qualifications * 8+ years of ... Experience with Unix/Linux shell scripting. * Strong understanding of SDLC, Agile, and DevOps ...

Amaze Systems Inc.

Senior Developer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$54.50 - $72/hr

... Senior Developer Mandatory Skills Mainframe Cobol (Primary) JCL CICS VSAM ... Unix Shell scripting is preferred Client Interview Needed for Selection (Yes / No) No To be ...

Forhyre

Big Data Engineer

Rolling Meadows, IL

$56 - $74.25/hr

AWS, UNIX & SQL Looking for an experienced Senior Big Data Developer who will be responsible for, * Technical leadership in driving solutions and hands on contributions * To build new cloud based ...

Capital One

Senior Lead Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Senior Lead Data Engineer Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy ... UNIX/Linux including basic commands and shell scripting * 2+ years of experience with Agile ...

Capital One

Senior Lead Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Senior Lead Data Engineer Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy ... UNIX/Linux including basic commands and shell scripting * 2+ years of experience with Agile ...

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All JobsUnix Engineer JobsSenior Unix Engineer JobsSenior Unix Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Senior Unix Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$61.3K

$130.4K

$189K

How much do senior unix engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior unix engineer in Chicago, IL is $130,372.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $147,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Unix Engineer, you need deep expertise in Unix/Linux system administration, scripting, troubleshooting, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with automation tools (such as Ansible or Puppet), shell scripting languages (like Bash or Perl), and certifications like RHCE or CompTIA Linux+ is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to mentor junior staff help set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure reliable systems, smooth operations, and robust support for complex enterprise environments.

What does a Senior Unix Engineer do?

A Senior Unix Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining Unix-based systems within an organization. They handle advanced troubleshooting, system performance tuning, security configurations, and ensure the reliability and scalability of Unix infrastructure. In addition, they often mentor junior engineers, develop automation scripts, and collaborate with other IT teams to support business operations. Their expertise is crucial for managing large-scale, mission-critical environments.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior Unix engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in scripting, system administration, and familiarity with enterprise environments can earn $200,000 or more annually. High compensation often correlates with certifications, specialized knowledge, and working in industries like finance or technology at large organizations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Unix engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in scripting, system architecture, and certifications such as RHCE or CISSP can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise, often including bonuses and stock options.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior Unix engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in system administration, and certifications such as RHCE or advanced scripting can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other benefits. These roles typically require deep expertise in Unix/Linux systems, cloud environments, and security.

What is the difference between Senior Unix Engineer vs System Administrator?

AspectSenior Unix EngineerSystem Administrator
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Unix/Linux certifications (e.g., RHCE, LPIC)Bachelor's in IT or related field, Linux/Unix certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining Unix systems, often in enterprise environmentsManaging daily system operations, troubleshooting, and user support
Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcare, and large enterprisesVaries across industries, including small to large organizations
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on advanced Unix skills and system designFocus on operational support and system maintenance

The main difference is that Senior Unix Engineers focus on designing and optimizing Unix systems, while System Administrators handle daily operations and support. Both roles require similar certifications and work in related environments, but their responsibilities differ in scope and complexity.

How much do Unix engineers make?

Senior Unix engineers typically earn between $90,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require strong skills in scripting, system administration, and familiarity with Unix-based operating systems like Linux or AIX.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by Senior Unix Engineers in a large enterprise environment?

Senior Unix Engineers in large enterprises often face challenges related to managing complex, heterogeneous server environments and ensuring high availability. Balancing routine maintenance, security patching, and system upgrades with the need to minimize downtime can be demanding. Additionally, staying up to date with evolving technologies and scripting languages, while coordinating with cross-functional teams like network, storage, and application groups, requires strong communication and problem-solving skills.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Unix Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Unix Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Unix Engineer job openings:
Senior Unix Engineer jobs near you
Senior Unix/Linux Engineer

Senior Unix/Linux Engineer

CNA

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential.
This position will play the role of the Service Owner Consultant as an individual contributor responsible for engineering, automating, and modernizing enterprise compute platforms across Linux/UNIX and Windows environments in a hybrid context (private cloud + public cloud). The role delivers platform outcomes using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and repeatable automation - creating and maintaining version-controlled Terraform and Ansible assets that enable consistent provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle operations at scale.
This position operates in a fully outsourced delivery model and works day-to-day with MSP engineers to implement changes, run upgrades, execute IaC pipelines, deliver automation, and resolve complex incidents - providing technical direction, validation, and escalation support while remaining an individual contributor.
A key expectation is to help evolve operations toward AI-enabled run-the-business, including practical use of AI Agents / agentic frameworks for triage, remediation workflows, and CMDB hygiene - implemented with appropriate controls and operational rigor.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Key Responsibilities
1) MSP Collaboration (Individual Contributor Technical Oversight)
  • Work directly with MSP engineers to execute platform work: define technical requirements, review/validate changes, and ensure runbooks and automation/IaC are usable and repeatable.
  • Provide escalation support for complex incidents/problems; partner with MSP on root-cause analysis and ensure preventive actions are captured (automation, standards, documentation).

2) Hybrid Compute Platform SME (Linux/UNIX/Windows)
  • Guide engineering and operations for Linux/UNIX and Windows Server across physical and virtual footprints; ensure best practices for reliability, security, and performance.
  • Define and maintain OS configuration standards, gold images, hardening alignment, patching approaches, and runbook content-implemented by MSP teams.
  • Provide deep technical consultation on troubleshooting (performance, storage, networking dependencies, auth, patch failures) and validate remediation plans.

3) IaC Governance & Design Oversight (Terraform/Ansible)
  • Own technical patterns and guardrails for Terraform modules and Ansible playbooks used in production; ensure assets are reusable, parameterized, and well-documented for MSP execution.
  • Perform design and code reviews of IaC delivered by MSPs; ensure state practices, idempotency, logging, validation, and rollback/restore approaches are defined and followed.
  • Working with CNA's Architecture team, define reference architectures and blueprints for provisioning and lifecycle workflows; partner with MSPs to implement via pipelines and runbooks.

4) Automation Strategy & Orchestration
  • Drive automation strategy to reduce toil in provisioning, configuration, patch orchestration, compliance checks, and drift remediation; prioritize use cases with measurable operational impact.
  • Establish operational safety standards for automation (input validation, least privilege, error handling, observability, and auditability) and ensure MSP adoption.
  • Guide development patterns for scripting (shell, Python, PowerShell) used by MSPs; review approach and quality rather than writing most scripts personally.

5) Modernization & Lifecycle Management (LCM)
  • Lead the technical design and validation for lifecycle upgrades (OS and dependent components up to app readiness coordination), including validation and rollback readiness.
  • Drive end-of-life/end-of-support remediation technical plans and ensure MSP execution adheres to standards and change governance.
  • Guide consolidation and rationalization efforts (workload moves, decommissions) with a focus on reliability, risk reduction, and cost outcomes.

6) Private Cloud / Virtualization (Preferred VxRail)
  • Provide SME guidance for private cloud compute platforms and virtualization operations; hyperconverged experience preferred (VxRail).
  • Guide cluster lifecycle activities (capacity inputs, node adds/replacements, compatibility alignment, upgrades) in coordination with platform owners and MSP teams.

7) CMDB & Discovery Alignment (Servers & Storage)
  • Ensure technical requirements for accurate CMDB representation of servers and storage are defined (CI attributes, relationships, ownership, lifecycle status).
  • Partner with CMDB/ITOM stakeholders and MSPs to improve data quality via discovery and connector-driven inputs; validate reconciliation and hygiene outcomes.
  • Drive exception handling standards (orphan cleanup, duplicates, lifecycle integrity) to support auditability and service visibility.

8) AI-Enabled Operations (Practical Adoption)
  • Identify practical AI use cases that reduce toil and improve MTTR (incident summarization, guided triage, remediation recommendations, automation triggers).
  • Support operationalization of AI agents/agentic frameworks integrated with IT operations workflows (ITSM, automation, CMDB hygiene) with guardrails and auditability.

Required Qualifications
  • 7+ years of hands-on experience administering directory or identity services in a large enterprise environment.
  • Extensive prior hands-on experience in enterprise Linux/UNIX and Windows server engineering/administration, enabling deep technical guidance and troubleshooting.
  • Proven ability to lead and influence technical outcomes in an outsourced/MSP operating model (executing through MSP resources, validating deliverables, escalating issues).
  • Strong technical depth in compute troubleshooting and design (root cause analysis, performance, patching, hardening, lifecycle upgrades, reliability engineering).
  • Infrastructure as Code experience (Terraform and Ansible) with a focus on standards, architecture, review, and operationalization in production environments.
  • Scripting literacy in shell, Python, and PowerShell (ability to review/guide code and patterns; hands-on background required even if not primary author).
  • Demonstrated experience driving modernization/lifecycle initiatives (OS upgrades and broader stack upgrades) with validation and rollback discipline.
  • Understanding of CMDB/server & storage mapping, CI lifecycle practices, and data-quality mindset.
  • Working knowledge of hybrid cloud concepts (private + public cloud).

Preferred Qualifications
  • BS degree in Computer Science is preferred.
  • Hyperconverged platform experience; VxRail preferred.
  • Experience aligning IaC/automation with ITSM/CMDB workflows (provisioning, discovery alignment, CI hygiene).
  • Practical exposure to AI-enabled operations / automation agents in production support contexts.
  • Experience designing reference architectures and standards for large-scale compute platforms (multi-environment, regulated, or highly available contexts).

#LI-KJ1
#Hybrid
In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $72,000 to $141,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees - and their family members - achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA's benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.
CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.
CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact leaveadministration@cna.com

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