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Windows Server Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

They are seeking a Server Engineer II to support and advance their hybrid infrastructure with a ... Responsibilities : • Provide advanced administration and Level 2 support for global Windows and ...

Windows-only or Linux-only candidates will not be the right fit.*** What You''ll Do * Own a ... engineering, ideally in environments running thousands of servers * Deep, hands-on VMware vSphere ...

Server Engineer II

Chicago, IL · On-site

$116K - $144K/yr

As a Server Engineer II, you'll play a key role on our global Server Operations team, supporting ... global Windows and Linux environments; manage hypervisors including VMware vSphere, Nutanix ...

Server Engineer II

Chicago, IL · On-site

$116K - $144K/yr

As a Server Engineer II, you'll play a key role on our global Server Operations team, supporting ... System Administration Skills - Proficiency with Windows Server (2016-2025) and Linux distributions ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

... Windows Server 2008 or later systems 5-7 years of experience engineering and administering Exchange server enterprise environment 5-7 years intermediate level understanding of network principles. 3-5 ...

Infrastructure Engineer

Chicago, IL

$110K - $145K/yr

Job Title Infrastructure Engineer Summary The TDS AMER Infrastructure Engineering role is ... Active Directory, Cisco(servers), VMWare, Palo Alto, Netbackup, Nasuni, Windows, Azure AVD and AVS

Systems Engineer

Glenview, IL · On-site

$55 - $65/hr

Responsibilities: • Administer and improve enterprise Windows Server infrastructure, ensuring ... years of hands-on experience engineering Windows infrastructure within large enterprise ...

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Showing results 1-20

Windows Server Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$27

$49

$67

How much do windows server engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for windows server engineer in Illinois is $49.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.08 and $55.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Windows Server Engineer vs Network Administrator?

AspectWindows Server EngineerNetwork Administrator
CertificationsMicrosoft Certified: Windows Server, CompTIA Network+CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, enterprise IT teamsNetwork operations centers, office networks, infrastructure teams
Primary FocusServer setup, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshootingNetwork infrastructure, routing, switching, and security
Common UsageOrganizations deploying Windows Server environmentsOrganizations managing overall network connectivity and security

While both roles involve network and server management, Windows Server Engineers focus on configuring and maintaining Windows Server environments, whereas Network Administrators oversee broader network infrastructure and connectivity. Both roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions within IT teams.

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

To thrive as a Windows Server Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of Windows Server operating systems, Active Directory, networking concepts, and typically a degree in computer science or related certifications like Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate. Expertise in using tools such as PowerShell, Hyper-V, System Center, and monitoring platforms is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help you effectively manage incidents and collaborate with IT teams. These skills ensure reliable server infrastructure, minimize downtime, and support organizational IT needs efficiently.

What does a Windows server engineer do?

A Windows Server Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, managing, and maintaining Windows server environments. They configure server hardware and software, troubleshoot issues, ensure security, and optimize system performance, often using tools like PowerShell and Active Directory. Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Windows Server are common in this role.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, data engineering, or cloud infrastructure can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. High salaries are often associated with roles involving complex technical skills, management responsibilities, or working in high-demand industries like technology or finance.

What are the most common challenges Windows Server Engineers face when maintaining large-scale enterprise environments?

Windows Server Engineers in large-scale enterprise settings often encounter challenges such as managing complex Active Directory structures, ensuring security compliance across numerous servers, and performing updates or patches with minimal downtime. Balancing reliability and performance while troubleshooting network issues or hardware failures can also be demanding. Effective communication and collaboration with IT support, network teams, and cybersecurity professionals are crucial for resolving incidents quickly and maintaining system integrity.

What is the salary of a Windows server engineer?

The salary of a Windows Server Engineer typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with advanced skills and certifications like MCSE can earn higher salaries.

What are Windows Server Engineers?

Windows Server Engineers are IT professionals who specialize in installing, configuring, managing, and maintaining Microsoft Windows Server environments. They ensure that server systems are secure, reliable, and optimized for performance, supporting business operations and user needs. Their responsibilities often include troubleshooting server issues, applying updates and patches, managing user access, and implementing backup and disaster recovery solutions.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A senior or specialized Windows Server Engineer with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in enterprise environments can potentially earn $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or executive-level roles. Such compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, typically in large corporations or consulting firms. Achieving this level requires a combination of technical skill, leadership, and strategic responsibilities.
What are popular job titles related to Windows Server Engineer jobs in Illinois? For Windows Server Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Windows Server Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Windows Server Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Windows Server Engineer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,871 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

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Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

As a Windows Server Team Lead, you will work within Infrastructure to design, build, and operate scalable systems that support the business. Your focus will be on Windows server platforms, identity services, automation, and reliability engineering across onprem Windows environments and hybrid cloud integrations.

What You'll Do

  • Lead and develop a team of Windows Server engineers, setting priorities and focusing effort on highimpact reliability and platform initiatives.
  • Design and implement highperformance Windows Server solutions with a strong emphasis on availability, operational excellence, and latencysensitive trading workloads.
  • Drive automation and infrastructureascode practices to improve deployment consistency, reduce manual work, and scale operations.
  • Lead Active Directory modernization and hybrid identity initiatives, ensuring secure, reliable access across the firm.
  • Partner closely with Security, Infrastructure, and Development teams to plan and deliver changes safely and predictably.
  • Improve incident response through clear leadership during events, root cause analysis, and durable preventative followups.
  • Contribute to resource management, forecasting requirements, and enhancing performance to support peak market activity.
  • Produce and maintain documentation (runbooks, diagrams, postincident reviews) to support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
  • Participate in an oncall rotation and provide leadership during critical incidents as needed.

What We're Looking For

  • Good interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate across technical teams.
  • A pragmatic approach that balances fast delivery with longterm maintainability and operational excellence.
  • Ability to triage and resolve issues endtoend, including clear ownership of root cause and prevention.
  • 8+ years of handson Windows Server administration experience in critical, highavailability environments.
  • Deep expertise in Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and Failover Clustering, including performance tuning and resolving complex challenges.
  • Proven leadership experience running infrastructure teams (or acting as a senior technical lead), with a record of developing engineers and driving standards.
  • Strong PowerShell scripting/automation skills; experience with infrastructureascode tools and/or configuration management (or demonstrated willingness to adopt and lead these efforts).
  • Willingness to participate in an oncall rotation and lead through highseverity incidents.
  • Meticulous attention to procedure, change management, and meeting service expectations.

Nice to Haves

  • Experience with enterprise platforms such as SCCM/MECM, endpoint/server monitoring, backup systems, and/or load balancers.
  • Familiarity with ITIL concepts, operational workflows, project management, and DevOps/CI/CD practices.
  • Experience supporting financial services infrastructure, trading systems, or market data platforms.
  • Exposure to modern deployment approaches (e.g., containerization, orchestration).

Work Location and Collaboration

This role is based in Chicago, working closely with Infrastructure, Security, Networking, and Development teams for highbandwidth collaboration. We value facetoface teamwork and pragmatic flexibility.