Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in financial services, healthcare, government contracting, and enterprise technology, with openings at every level from entry-level analyst to senior architect. Chicago is the dominant hiring hub, with suburban corridors in Schaumburg and Naperville also active, and employers like Morningstar, Walgreens, and United Airlines maintaining established security teams in the state. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois listings include cloud security, threat detection and incident response, and compliance-focused roles tied to regulated industries. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Cybersecurity Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Cybersecurity Engineer jobs
Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.
Description
Connecting People. Uniting the World. There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines! As a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world — with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees — we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly.
We’re on a path to becoming the best airline in aviation history. Join our Cybersecurity and Digital Risk (CDR) team to help lead the industry in cyber safety, security and resilience. United's CDR team plays a critical role in protecting our operations by enabling secure and resilient systems, managing threats and vulnerabilities, and ensuring swift response and recovery. Our mission is to seamlessly embed cybersecurity and digital risk management into every aspect of our business. We help drive progress and growth through trusted digital solutions, safeguarding assets and empowering our team, all while promoting a cyber-safe and secure environment that supports resilient airline operations.
United offers a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy, and well-traveled. From employee-run "Business Resource Group" communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401(k), and privileges like space-available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world and help us keep our airline cyber safe? Apply today!
Job Overview and Responsibilities
The Engineer- Application Cybersecurity helps validate that our services, applications, and websites are designed and implemented in accordance with United’s secure development standards. The engineer works closely with development teams, product teams, and other teams across the organization to integrate security into the product lifecycle from design through deployment.
The engineer will support the enforcement of security requirements, performing application security assessments, and providing developers with remediation guidance and advice.
- Perform code analysis of applications, manually and using application security testing solutions including mobile application security tests as well as conducting manual vulnerability analysis, and assisting product teams with vulnerability remediation
- Improve the accessibility of security through automation, continuous integration pipelines, and other means including but not limited to developing and maintaining CI/CD templates
- Research, define and communicate security best practices and standards and ensure products development teams understand them
- Support security architecture design reviews and threat modelling of our products
Qualifications
What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
- Bachelor's degree required, STEM field preferred
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience or ECDLP
- Working knowledge of OWASP Top 10 and CWE 25
- Experience designing, developing, or integrating AI-powered security agents and automated workflows to enhance vulnerability triage, exploitability analysis, secure code review, remediation and/or continuous security assurance across the SDLC
- Basic understanding of threat modeling
- Basic understanding of DevSecOps (e.g., CI/CD)
- Working knowledge with application testing (e.g., SAST, DAST, MAST, RAST, IAST)
- Working knowledge of programming languages and scripting
- Basic understanding of SDLC process
- Basic understanding of web and app security stack (e.g., API security)
- Basic understanding of cloud technologies and security
- Basic understanding of vulnerability management processes and proficiency in providing remediation guidance
- Basic technical understanding of authentication and authorization flows in web applications
- Ability to work independently and self-motivate
- Excellent problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal, collaboration, written and verbal communication skills
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
- Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
- Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):
- IAWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Certified Application Security Engineer
- Experience with any combination of the following: threat modeling, AI powered-security agents, secure coding, identity management and authentication, software development, cryptography, system administration and network security, cloud computing
- Experience with AWS technologies
- Working knowledge of C#, Java, Python, Swift, JavaScript, generative AI/LLMs, agent orchestration frameworks, and API integrations to build scalable security automation. Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP), AI agent frameworks, and AI-assisted code analysis and remediation is highly desirable
- Basic understanding of compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53) and processes
- Working knowledge with technical documentation / Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) creation
- Basic understanding of cryptography
- Basic understanding of networks and network security (e.g , WAF, Micro-segmentation)
Job Post Expiration 11/9/2026
The base pay range for this role is $89,965.00 to $117,212.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.
You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.
United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com
Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.
Description
Connecting People. Uniting the World. There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines! As a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world — with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees — we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly.
We’re on a path to becoming the best airline in aviation history. Join our Cybersecurity and Digital Risk (CDR) team to help lead the industry in cyber safety, security and resilience. United's CDR team plays a critical role in protecting our operations by enabling secure and resilient systems, managing threats and vulnerabilities, and ensuring swift response and recovery. Our mission is to seamlessly embed cybersecurity and digital risk management into every aspect of our business. We help drive progress and growth through trusted digital solutions, safeguarding assets and empowering our team, all while promoting a cyber-safe and secure environment that supports resilient airline operations.
United offers a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy, and well-traveled. From employee-run "Business Resource Group" communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401(k), and privileges like space-available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world and help us keep our airline cyber safe? Apply today!
Job Overview and Responsibilities
The Engineer- Application Cybersecurity helps validate that our services, applications, and websites are designed and implemented in accordance with United’s secure development standards. The engineer works closely with development teams, product teams, and other teams across the organization to integrate security into the product lifecycle from design through deployment.
The engineer will support the enforcement of security requirements, performing application security assessments, and providing developers with remediation guidance and advice.
- Perform code analysis of applications, manually and using application security testing solutions including mobile application security tests as well as conducting manual vulnerability analysis, and assisting product teams with vulnerability remediation
- Improve the accessibility of security through automation, continuous integration pipelines, and other means including but not limited to developing and maintaining CI/CD templates
- Research, define and communicate security best practices and standards and ensure products development teams understand them
- Support security architecture design reviews and threat modelling of our products
Qualifications
What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
- Bachelor's degree required, STEM field preferred
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience or ECDLP
- Working knowledge of OWASP Top 10 and CWE 25
- Experience designing, developing, or integrating AI-powered security agents and automated workflows to enhance vulnerability triage, exploitability analysis, secure code review, remediation and/or continuous security assurance across the SDLC
- Basic understanding of threat modeling
- Basic understanding of DevSecOps (e.g., CI/CD)
- Working knowledge with application testing (e.g., SAST, DAST, MAST, RAST, IAST)
- Working knowledge of programming languages and scripting
- Basic understanding of SDLC process
- Basic understanding of web and app security stack (e.g., API security)
- Basic understanding of cloud technologies and security
- Basic understanding of vulnerability management processes and proficiency in providing remediation guidance
- Basic technical understanding of authentication and authorization flows in web applications
- Ability to work independently and self-motivate
- Excellent problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal, collaboration, written and verbal communication skills
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
- Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
- Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):
- IAWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Certified Application Security Engineer
- Experience with any combination of the following: threat modeling, AI powered-security agents, secure coding, identity management and authentication, software development, cryptography, system administration and network security, cloud computing
- Experience with AWS technologies
- Working knowledge of C#, Java, Python, Swift, JavaScript, generative AI/LLMs, agent orchestration frameworks, and API integrations to build scalable security automation. Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP), AI agent frameworks, and AI-assisted code analysis and remediation is highly desirable
- Basic understanding of compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53) and processes
- Working knowledge with technical documentation / Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) creation
- Basic understanding of cryptography
- Basic understanding of networks and network security (e.g , WAF, Micro-segmentation)
Job Post Expiration 11/9/2026
The base pay range for this role is $89,965.00 to $117,212.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.
You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.
United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact JobAccommodations@united.com
See All 16 Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cybersecurity Engineer JobsCybersecurity Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cybersecurity Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cybersecurity engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a closely related field required
- Relevant certification such as CISSP, CompTIA Security+, or CEH strongly preferred
- Hands-on experience with SIEM tools, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems
- Demonstrated knowledge of NIST, ISO 27001, or CIS security frameworks
- Experience supporting compliance programs including HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOC 2
- Strong scripting or programming skills in Python, PowerShell, or similar languages
Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cybersecurity engineer in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a cybersecurity engineer, so the path runs through education and industry credentials. Most employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology, along with a recognized certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or Certified Ethical Hacker. Illinois's large pool of universities and community colleges, including the University of Illinois and Illinois Institute of Technology, offer programs that feed directly into the state's employer base.
How much do cybersecurity engineers make in Illinois?
Cybersecurity engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $124,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $78,760 for the lowest 10% to over $172,830 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cybersecurity engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring cybersecurity engineers in Illinois right now include Clayco, Wabtec, and NFP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of financial institutions, major health systems, and federally connected contractors creates consistent demand for security engineers across both the private and public sectors.
Which Illinois cities have the most cybersecurity engineer jobs?
Chicago, Rosemont, and Deerfield account for the most cybersecurity engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it anchors the state's financial services, healthcare, and enterprise technology industries, while suburban hubs like Schaumburg and Naperville draw demand from large corporate headquarters and government-adjacent contractors concentrated in the greater metro area.
Are there remote cybersecurity engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 67% of cybersecurity engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves monitoring systems, analyzing alerts, and managing cloud infrastructure rather than requiring physical presence. Roles focused on threat intelligence, cloud security architecture, and compliance advisory tend to be the most consistently remote-eligible.
How can I get hired as a cybersecurity engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a junior security analyst or IT support role and building from there, since most Illinois employers in finance and healthcare use those positions as a pipeline into engineering teams. Large Illinois institutions and government contractors often run structured associate or rotational programs for new graduates. Earning a CompTIA Security+ certification and building a home-lab portfolio demonstrating hands-on skills with firewalls, log analysis, or vulnerability scanning gives candidates a concrete edge when competing for these entry-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to cybersecurity engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to cybersecurity engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to each one.
See All 16 Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs