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Systems Developer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

NinjaHoldings

Lead Risk Systems Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$115K - $160K/yr

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative or business discipline (e.g., math, statistics, finance, economics, engineering, or other quantitative fields) * 4+ years of professional experience as a Business ...

Next Step Systems

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Senior Systems Engineer, Chicago IL This Senior Systems Engineer position is fully onsite. Responsibilities: - Work collaboratively with technology and business teams on all aspects of a global ...

Infobahn SoftWorld Inc

Systems Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

Systems Engineer I Location: 2540 Galvin Drive, Elgin, IL Duration: 2 years Work schedule: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Interview: Onsite (In-person) Training: Half of the time once trained. - Group ...

VIVA USA INC

Systems Engineer

Elgin, IL · On-site

Job Summary We are seeking a talented and motivated Systems Engineer I to join our team. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of experience in system-level design, requirements management ...

Next Step Systems

Senior Trading Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

Senior Trading Systems Engineer, Chicago, IL This Senior Trading Systems Engineer position is 100% fully onsite. Responsibilities: - Work collaboratively with technology and business teams on all ...

Aquatic Capital Management

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Developer Experience & Automation * Design and maintain provisioning systems for complex compute resources and datacenter onboarding. * Own and improve CI/CD infrastructure (GitHub Actions) as well ...

Aquatic Capital Management

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

$150K - $300K/yr

Developer Experience & Automation * Design and maintain provisioning systems for complex compute resources and datacenter onboarding. * Own and improve CI/CD infrastructure (GitHub Actions) as well ...

UpStream Global Services

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

The System Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing enterprise IT infrastructure and systems. This role involves ensuring the reliability, security, and ...

UpStream Global Services

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

The System Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing enterprise IT infrastructure and systems. This role involves ensuring the reliability, security, and ...

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How much do systems developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for systems developer in Chicago, IL is $50.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42.64 and $58.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Systems Developer?

A systems developer designs software applications and computer systems for business use. Your job duties as a systems developer include designing system architecture, developing applications, testing projects prior to deployment, debugging and troubleshooting issues, and providing regular maintenance and fixes for computer applications and systems. The qualifications you need for a career as a systems developer include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, the ability to write code in a variety of programming languages, problem-solving skills, and experience working in the information technology space.

How does a Systems Developer typically collaborate with other IT professionals in a project environment?

Systems Developers often work closely with other IT professionals such as software engineers, network administrators, and business analysts. Collaboration usually involves participating in project planning meetings, integrating their code with other system components, and troubleshooting issues as a team. Effective communication is vital, as Systems Developers must ensure their work aligns with broader technical requirements and organizational goals. They may also provide technical support and documentation to help other team members understand their contributions.

What are systems developers?

Systems developers are IT professionals who design, build, and maintain the underlying software and infrastructure that power computer systems and networks. Unlike application developers, systems developers focus on operating systems, network protocols, and system-level software that enables other applications to run efficiently. Their work is crucial for ensuring system reliability, security, and performance. They may also collaborate with hardware engineers to optimize the interaction between software and hardware components.

What does a systems developer do?

A systems developer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software systems and applications, often working with programming languages like Java, C++, or Python. They analyze user requirements, create technical specifications, and collaborate with other IT professionals to ensure system functionality and performance.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in senior or specialized roles such as machine learning engineers or software architects, can earn $500,000 or more annually. These roles often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes stock options or bonuses in addition to base salary.

Will AI replace developers in 2026?

Systems developers design, build, and maintain software systems, and while AI tools can automate certain coding tasks, they are unlikely to fully replace developers by 2026. Developers' skills in problem-solving, system architecture, and adapting to new technologies remain essential for complex and innovative projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Systems Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Systems Developer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming languages such as Java, C++, or Python, and experience with systems architecture. Familiarity with development tools, version control systems (like Git), and knowledge of operating systems is typically expected, and certifications in relevant technologies can be beneficial. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills that help you collaborate and adapt to changing requirements. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining robust systems that meet organizational needs efficiently.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In the context of a Systems Developer role, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of technical expertise and responsibility, with L1 being entry-level and L4 being senior or lead positions. These levels often correspond to experience, complexity of tasks handled, and leadership responsibilities, and they help organizations structure career progression and compensation. Skills such as programming, troubleshooting, and system design are expected to grow with each level.
More about Systems Developer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Systems Developer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Systems Developer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Systems Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Systems Developer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,775 per year, or $50.4 per hour.
C++ Trading Systems Developer

C++ Trading Systems Developer

Request Technology, LLC

Downers Grove, IL • On-site

$48.25 - $65/hr

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

***This role requires working onsite 4 days each week***

***We are unable to sponsor for this permanent full-time role***

***Position is Bonus eligible***

Prestigious Financial Firm is currently seeking a C++ Trading Systems Developer with industry experience. Candidate will design, build, and optimize our high-performance, low-latency trading infrastructure and strategies. This is a hands-on engineering role working directly with traders, quants, and other technologists to deliver cutting-edge solutions in global markets.

Responsibilities:

• Architect, develop, and maintain low-latency trading applications and market access systems in modern C++.

• Collaborate with traders, quants, and researchers to implement, refine, and evaluate algorithmic and quantitative trading strategies.

• Implement new trading algos and research ideas in the internal core trading framework.

• Design and implement exchange connectivity, order routing, and market data feed handlers across multiple asset classes and venues worldwide.

• Optimize systems for speed, throughput, scalability, and reliability, using profiling, performance tuning, and latency analysis.

• Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle, from requirements and design to testing, deployment, and production support.

• Research and recommend new technologies, tools, and methods to improve performance, scalability, and code quality.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related STEM field (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD).

• At least 5 years of experience developing performance-critical software in modern C++ (C++14 or newer).

• Strong knowledge of multi-threading, memory management, and network/socket programming (TCP/UDP).

• Familiarity with Linux/Unix environments and network tools (Wireshark, TCPDump).

• Strong organizational and software architecture skills with an eye for performance profiling and optimization.

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