Backend Software Developer Jobs in Illinois
Backend Software Developer jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with strong demand concentrated in fintech, enterprise software, healthcare technology, and logistics platforms at every level from entry-level to principal engineer. Chicago anchors the market, while Naperville and Champaign-Urbana generate consistent openings through tech-forward firms and university-affiliated ventures. Well-established Illinois employers such as Morningstar, Zebra Technologies, and Discover Financial Services have long-running backend engineering teams with recurring needs across API development, cloud infrastructure, and distributed systems work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
As an Associate Backend Software Engineer II in AbbVie Business Technology Solutions (BTS), you’ll have opportunities to contribute to the digital transformation of a leading biopharma company, helping to create solutions that impact patients and their communities for the better.
The ideal candidate will excel in delivering adaptable and user-friendly web applications and data analysis pipelines that can evolve to meet scientists’ needs. Additionally, the successful candidate will have the ability to independently identify, engineer, and optimize new software solutions to address critical business requirements. A continuous drive to improve existing methods and processes is essential.
Responsibilities:
- Independently design and develop software to answer scientific or business questions, demonstrating proficiency across a range of technologies related to programming languages, data integration, and data visualization and analysis.
- Design, develop, and maintain backend components of enterprise applications.
- Ensure security and integrity of software solutions, safeguarding data and system operations.
- Continuously seeks learning opportunities to stay updated with emerging web technologies and data analysis tools, applying innovative solutions to improve processes and outcomes.
- Use AbbVie values to govern decisions, actions and behaviors, ensuring that work reflects our commitments to Patients, Affordability, Accountability & Service Commitment, Decisiveness, Innovation & Thoughtful Risk while fostering Diversity & Inclusion, Integrity & Respect, Learning, Continuous Improvement & Personal Growth, Teamwork & Collaboration.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree - preferably in Computer Science or Data Science - plus 2 years of experience OR Master’s degree with 0 years of experience.
- Strong programming skills in Java, Javascript, SQL, and Typescript.
- Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and developing flexible solutions to meet evolving requirements.
- Ability to work independently with strong time management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to communicate effectively with scientists, developers, application analysts, managers and IT professionals.
- Good presentation, training, and documentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- APEX development experience in Salesforce.
- Experience with incorporating Generative AI techniques into custom software solutions
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See All 14 Backend Software Developer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBackend Software Developer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Backend Software Developer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in backend software developer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in at least one backend language such as Java, Python, Go, or Node.js
- Experience designing and maintaining RESTful APIs and microservices architectures
- Familiarity with relational and NoSQL databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB
- Working knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Experience with version control systems and CI/CD pipelines in a team environment
Backend Software Developer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a backend software developer in Illinois?
Backend software developer roles in Illinois require no state-issued license or registration, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most Illinois employers expect at minimum a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related discipline, though candidates from coding bootcamps with strong portfolios do break in. Building projects that demonstrate backend fundamentals and contributing to open-source work strengthens any application considerably.
How much do backend software developers make in Illinois?
Backend software developers in Illinois earn a median of about $132,110 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,980 for the lowest 10% to over $194,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire backend software developers in Illinois?
Employers hiring backend software developers in Illinois right now include Capital One, Site Technologies, and AbbVie, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's deep concentration of fintech, insurance technology, and enterprise software firms means backend roles here frequently involve high-transaction systems and regulated data environments.
Which Illinois cities have the most backend software developer jobs?
Chicago, Mettawa, and Riverwoods account for the largest share of backend software developer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to the region's major financial services, healthcare technology, and logistics firms, while Naperville and other suburban Chicago corridors attract enterprise software companies and corporate technology centers that generate consistent backend hiring outside the city core.
Are there remote backend software developer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. Backend software development is well suited to remote and hybrid arrangements because the work is code- and tool-based with no physical presence requirement. About 100% of backend software developer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly Illinois tech employers have adopted flexible work models. Roles in cloud infrastructure, API development, and platform engineering tend to carry the highest share of remote listings.
How can I get hired as a backend software developer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a junior or associate software engineer role through a new-graduate program at a large Illinois employer. Companies like Morningstar, Zebra Technologies, and major Chicago-area financial institutions run structured new-grad cohorts that onboard candidates directly from university or intensive training programs. Candidates transitioning from QA engineering, data analysis, or IT support roles also move into backend development by demonstrating scripting ability and database knowledge, with a personal project portfolio serving as the most effective credential when a formal degree is still in progress.
Where can I find and apply to backend software developer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to backend software developer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and preferred location, and apply directly to each opening without any intermediary step.
See All 14 Backend Software Developer Jobs in Illinois
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