Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Backend Software Engineer jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with sustained demand from fintech firms, enterprise software companies, healthcare technology platforms, and major logistics and e-commerce operations at every level from entry-level to principal engineer. Chicago drives the bulk of hiring, with notable concentrations in the suburbs of Naperville and Schaumburg, where large technology and financial services employers maintain engineering hubs. Companies like Allstate, Morningstar, and Uptake have long-standing backend engineering teams in the state, and the most sought-after specialties include distributed systems, cloud-native API development, and data pipeline engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 14+ Backend Software Engineer jobs
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
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 Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBackend Software Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Backend Software Engineer 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 engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Java, Python, Go, or Node.js
- Experience designing and maintaining RESTful APIs and microservices architectures
- Demonstrated knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases including PostgreSQL and MongoDB
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud and CI/CD pipelines
- Strong understanding of system design, scalability principles, and code review practices
Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a backend software engineer in Illinois?
Backend software engineering has no state-issued license in Illinois, so the path centers on education and demonstrated skill. Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or information systems, though strong candidates from bootcamps or associate programs are considered when paired with a solid portfolio. Building projects in languages like Java, Python, or Go and deploying them using cloud tools strengthens any application significantly.
How much do backend software engineers make in Illinois?
Backend software engineers 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 engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring backend software engineers in Illinois right now include Capital One, Site Technologies, and AbbVie, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's strong fintech, healthcare technology, and enterprise software sectors mean backend engineering roles appear consistently across both large legacy institutions and growth-stage companies headquartered in and around Chicago.
Which Illinois cities have the most backend software engineer jobs?
The cities with the most backend software engineer openings in Illinois are Chicago, Mettawa, and Riverwoods. Chicago dominates because of its dense concentration of financial services firms, health-tech companies, and technology consultancies, while suburban markets like Naperville and Schaumburg draw openings from the large corporate campuses and enterprise technology employers based along the I-88 corridor west of the city.
Are there remote backend software engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 100% of backend software engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how well the role's day-to-day work translates to distributed teams. The portions most likely to be fully remote are pure backend and API roles at product companies, while on-site expectations tend to be higher at financial services firms with strict data-security requirements.
How can I get hired as a backend software engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing an associate or junior software engineer role and building from there. Large Illinois-based employers like Allstate and Morningstar run structured new-graduate and early-career programs that accept candidates with limited professional experience. Adjacent roles in QA engineering, DevOps support, or technical support at a software company are common stepping stones. A portfolio of deployed backend projects, a GitHub profile with active contributions, and familiarity with cloud fundamentals give candidates without a traditional background a concrete edge in Illinois screening processes.
Where can I find and apply to backend software engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to backend software engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and target location, and apply directly to each one that matches.
See All 14 Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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