Data Center Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Data Center Engineer jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, driven by the state's dense concentration of enterprise data infrastructure, financial services firms, and cloud colocation facilities serving companies from Chicago's central business district through the I-88 technology corridor and suburban Cook and DuPage counties. Most hiring is concentrated in Chicago, Schaumburg, and Lisle, where established operators such as Equinix, CyberArca, and Motorola Solutions maintain significant footprints and consistently recruit data center engineers across entry-level technician and senior infrastructure roles. The most sought-after specialties in the Illinois market are power and cooling systems management, network infrastructure, and critical facilities operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.
Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.
Dow has part-time Data Engineering and Data Platform Engineering internship opportunities within Dow's Enterprise Data & Analytics organization.
This position is an in-person, part-time (15-20 hours per week) internship role based out of Champaign, IL at the Dow Delivery Center at UIUC (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign) in Research Park. Individuals who are within one to three years of graduation and are currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign working towards a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a related technical field are encouraged to apply. The duration of the internship is typically 14-15 weeks during the spring academic semester.
As a Data Engineer Intern, you will focus on the ingestion, persistence, and curation of data as defined by specific projects. The on-site Dow Delivery Center at UIUC people manager and technical manager will provide in-person mentorship across your day-to-day activities.
The Data Engineer Intern will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team to:
- Create data pipelines for projects in the Azure environment.
- Design, develop, test, and implement analytics. This includes the curation and ingestion of data from different source systems, driving end-to-end data flow for multiple solutions.
- Identify opportunities for innovating with digital capabilities aiming to accelerate Dow’s digital transformation.
As a Data Platform Engineer Intern, you will work with a multi-disciplinary IT expert team of analysts, engineers, developers, and support team members to create and maintain Azure cloud-based data and AI solutions. The on-site Dow Delivery Center at UIUC people manager and technical manager will provide in-person mentorship across your day-to-day activities which may include:
- Develop and implement Azure cloud-based solutions for data and AI, ensuring they meet the organization's requirements and standards. This includes utilizing tools like Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL, Azure OpenAI, Azure Function Apps, Azure Logic Apps, and Azure Databricks.
- Maintain and monitor existing Azure infrastructure and workloads to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and scalability. Any failures or enhancements to be fixed with infrastructure as code tools such as ARM, Bicep and Terraform within Azure DevOps.
- Ensure the security of Azure applications and infrastructure by implementing best practices and security measures with Role Based Access Controls, and authentication using Service Principals and Managed Identities from Entra as an Identity Provider.
- Perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis for infrastructure issues to ensure minimal downtime and quick resolution.
- Work closely with developers and senior employees to implement continuous delivery systems and methodologies on Azure. Designs that are created will be implemented following the best practices during sprints as part of the Agile methodology.
- Document best practices, workflow, and strategies regarding solutions, knowledge transfer, and infrastructure maintenance in DevOps Wiki.
Qualifications
Required:
- Must be currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
- Must be working towards a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related technical field.
- Must be within one to three years of graduation.
- A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.
Preferred:
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A degree discipline in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or other Engineering Disciplines
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP or Azure.
- Familiarity with cloud-based data lakehouse platforms such as Databricks or Snowflake
- Familiarity with Python, Scala, and SQL programming languages as well as scripting languages like PowerShell
- Experience with structured/semi-/non-structured databases, data ingestion, and data modeling.
- Multi-application and cross-platform design experience.
- Proficiency in data visualization tools like Microsoft Power BI.
- Knowledge of Agile Methodology, Scrum, or Kanban methodologies.
- Knowledge of version control systems and code review practices.
Skills
- Technical Proficiency: Background in computer science, computer information systems, or other engineering disciplines. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Azure. Familiarity with Python, Scala, and SQL programming languages. For Data Platform Engineering specifically, familiarity with Python, Scala, and SQL programming languages as well as scripting languages like PowerShell. Experience with structured/semi-/non-structured databases, data ingestion, and data modeling.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues.
- Collaboration and Communication: Works well with cross-functional teams and communicates effectively (spoken and written).
- Security and Compliance: Familiarity with security and compliance best practices and standards.
- Innovation and Improvement: Continuously seeks opportunities to improve existing processes and implement new technologies.
- Documentation and Reporting: Maintains thorough documentation of processes, solutions, and best practices.
- Time Management & Organizational Skills: Ability to manage your own work effort with little supervision.
Additional notes
- This position does not offer relocation or housing assistance.
- Must have access to public transportation or have personal/reliable transportation during the work term to complete internship shifts in-person at the Dow Delivery Center at UIUC.
- For positions based in Illinois, Dow is required by law to include the pay scale that is reasonably expected to represent the pay range for the position. This pay range is specific to the State of Illinois and accounts for both new and experienced employees with consideration to factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, and sustained job performance (or similar jobs). A reasonable pay range for this position is: Bachelors: $26.25-$35.00 per hour; Masters: $37.12-$39.57 per hour.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.
As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.
Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.
Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.
Dow has part-time Data Engineering and Data Platform Engineering internship opportunities within Dow's Enterprise Data & Analytics organization.
This position is an in-person, part-time (15-20 hours per week) internship role based out of Champaign, IL at the Dow Delivery Center at UIUC (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign) in Research Park. Individuals who are within one to three years of graduation and are currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign working towards a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a related technical field are encouraged to apply. The duration of the internship is typically 14-15 weeks during the spring academic semester.
As a Data Engineer Intern, you will focus on the ingestion, persistence, and curation of data as defined by specific projects. The on-site Dow Delivery Center at UIUC people manager and technical manager will provide in-person mentorship across your day-to-day activities.
The Data Engineer Intern will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team to:
- Create data pipelines for projects in the Azure environment.
- Design, develop, test, and implement analytics. This includes the curation and ingestion of data from different source systems, driving end-to-end data flow for multiple solutions.
- Identify opportunities for innovating with digital capabilities aiming to accelerate Dow’s digital transformation.
As a Data Platform Engineer Intern, you will work with a multi-disciplinary IT expert team of analysts, engineers, developers, and support team members to create and maintain Azure cloud-based data and AI solutions. The on-site Dow Delivery Center at UIUC people manager and technical manager will provide in-person mentorship across your day-to-day activities which may include:
- Develop and implement Azure cloud-based solutions for data and AI, ensuring they meet the organization's requirements and standards. This includes utilizing tools like Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL, Azure OpenAI, Azure Function Apps, Azure Logic Apps, and Azure Databricks.
- Maintain and monitor existing Azure infrastructure and workloads to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and scalability. Any failures or enhancements to be fixed with infrastructure as code tools such as ARM, Bicep and Terraform within Azure DevOps.
- Ensure the security of Azure applications and infrastructure by implementing best practices and security measures with Role Based Access Controls, and authentication using Service Principals and Managed Identities from Entra as an Identity Provider.
- Perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis for infrastructure issues to ensure minimal downtime and quick resolution.
- Work closely with developers and senior employees to implement continuous delivery systems and methodologies on Azure. Designs that are created will be implemented following the best practices during sprints as part of the Agile methodology.
- Document best practices, workflow, and strategies regarding solutions, knowledge transfer, and infrastructure maintenance in DevOps Wiki.
Qualifications
Required:
- Must be currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
- Must be working towards a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related technical field.
- Must be within one to three years of graduation.
- A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.
Preferred:
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A degree discipline in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or other Engineering Disciplines
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP or Azure.
- Familiarity with cloud-based data lakehouse platforms such as Databricks or Snowflake
- Familiarity with Python, Scala, and SQL programming languages as well as scripting languages like PowerShell
- Experience with structured/semi-/non-structured databases, data ingestion, and data modeling.
- Multi-application and cross-platform design experience.
- Proficiency in data visualization tools like Microsoft Power BI.
- Knowledge of Agile Methodology, Scrum, or Kanban methodologies.
- Knowledge of version control systems and code review practices.
Skills
- Technical Proficiency: Background in computer science, computer information systems, or other engineering disciplines. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Azure. Familiarity with Python, Scala, and SQL programming languages. For Data Platform Engineering specifically, familiarity with Python, Scala, and SQL programming languages as well as scripting languages like PowerShell. Experience with structured/semi-/non-structured databases, data ingestion, and data modeling.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues.
- Collaboration and Communication: Works well with cross-functional teams and communicates effectively (spoken and written).
- Security and Compliance: Familiarity with security and compliance best practices and standards.
- Innovation and Improvement: Continuously seeks opportunities to improve existing processes and implement new technologies.
- Documentation and Reporting: Maintains thorough documentation of processes, solutions, and best practices.
- Time Management & Organizational Skills: Ability to manage your own work effort with little supervision.
Additional notes
- This position does not offer relocation or housing assistance.
- Must have access to public transportation or have personal/reliable transportation during the work term to complete internship shifts in-person at the Dow Delivery Center at UIUC.
- For positions based in Illinois, Dow is required by law to include the pay scale that is reasonably expected to represent the pay range for the position. This pay range is specific to the State of Illinois and accounts for both new and experienced employees with consideration to factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, and sustained job performance (or similar jobs). A reasonable pay range for this position is: Bachelors: $26.25-$35.00 per hour; Masters: $37.12-$39.57 per hour.
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.
As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.
Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.See All 23 Data Center Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Center Engineer JobsData Center Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Center Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Chemicals & Materials
- Electronics & Hardware
- Investment & Asset Management
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data center engineer jobs across Illinois.
- CompTIA Data+, DCCA, or equivalent data center certification recognized by Illinois employers
- Hands-on experience with power distribution, UPS systems, and HVAC cooling infrastructure
- Proficiency in network cabling, structured wiring, and physical server hardware installation
- Familiarity with DCIM platforms and ticketing systems used in enterprise colocation environments
- Ability to lift equipment and work in raised-floor or hot-aisle-containment data center environments
- Associate or bachelor's degree in information technology, electrical engineering, or a related field
Data Center Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data center engineer in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers hire data center engineers who hold an associate or bachelor's degree in information technology, electrical engineering, or computer networking, combined with a vendor or industry certification such as CompTIA Server+, the Uptime Institute's DCCA, or a manufacturer credential from Cisco or Dell. Illinois does not require a state-issued license specific to this role, so the clearest path is combining education with hands-on lab or internship experience and earning one of those widely recognized certifications before applying.
Which companies hire data center engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring data center engineers in Illinois right now include Oracle, CAI, and Unisys, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's concentration of financial services headquarters and colocation campuses along the I-88 corridor means large enterprise and cloud infrastructure operators are among the most consistent sources of openings in the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most data center engineer jobs?
Chicago, Elk Grove Village, and Illinois account for the largest share of data center engineer openings in Illinois. Chicago drives volume through its dense enterprise and financial services sector, while Schaumburg and Lisle sit at the heart of the I-88 technology corridor where major colocation facilities and corporate IT campuses are concentrated, making those suburban markets significant hiring centers in their own right.
Are there remote data center engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Data center engineering is fundamentally a hands-on, on-site role requiring physical access to hardware, power systems, and cooling infrastructure, so most positions require a full on-site presence. About 50% of data center engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are monitoring, documentation, and capacity planning tasks rather than floor-level operations.
How can I get hired as a data center engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a data center technician or IT operations associate role, which large Illinois colocation operators and enterprise IT departments use to bring in candidates who are newer to the field. Companies with substantial Illinois infrastructure footprints often run structured associate technician programs that pair new hires with senior engineers. Earning a CompTIA Server+ or CompTIA Network+ certification before applying gives candidates a concrete edge, and candidates who transition from adjacent roles such as IT help desk, network operations center analyst, or facilities electrician find those backgrounds translate directly to the core duties of the role.
Where can I find and apply to data center engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to data center engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 23 Data Center Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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